The archbishop of Tororo Archdiocese, the Most Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Obbo, has warned clergy against abandoning their sacred calling in pursuit of personal and political interests, especially ahead of the 2026 general elections.
Speaking during a grand ordination ceremony at St. Peter’s Cathedral Nyangole in Tororo, Archbishop Obbo cautioned that any shift away from their spiritual duties could lead to the collapse of their ministry.
His remarks come amid growing concerns over the involvement of some religious leaders in partisan politics, which he said often sows division among the faithful.
The Archbishop was presiding over the ordination of seven priests and two deacons drawn from eight parishes of Nyangole, Mollo, Sironko, Siipi, Soni-Kayinja, Paya, Lumino, and Tunyi, spanning the districts of Tororo, Sironko, Busia, and Bulambuli.
The newly ordained priests include Fr. Josephat Omanakol, Judi Francis Onyango, Martin Welishe, Daniel Micah, Emmanuel Odongo, John Martin Opio, and Bernard Philip Ouma.
The deacons are Peter Odongo and Denis Kisolo. Of the new priests, four hail from the Tororo Archdiocese, bringing the total number of priests in the archdiocese to 134.
The ordination attracted hundreds of Catholic faithful who filled the cathedral with song and celebration, marking a significant spiritual milestone for the local church.
Several political leaders who attended the ceremony lauded Archbishop Obbo’s message as timely. Among them was Tororo District Chairperson John Okea, who said the call for clergy to remain non-partisan would help maintain peace and unity in communities.
Vice Chairperson Rebecca Akumu echoed similar sentiments and urged the Church to continue praying for the government to grant the district’s long-standing request for administrative division.
She noted that the current size of the district makes governance and service delivery increasingly difficult.
The ceremony underscored the Church’s continued role in not only providing spiritual leadership but also guiding society on matters of national interest and integrity.