Uganda Joint Christian Council: Religion & Politics of sitting on the fence – Kaweesa Keefa

                                             

Politics and religion differ on several fronts. While Religion is built on the kingdom of God, Politics is founded on the kingdom of man.  However, according to one famous writer, religion and politics have one common goal, which is to acquire political power and use it to fulfill their aims.

It’s only in the state of the Vatican in the whole world where this has been achieved. And to achieve this object their methods are different. In a power struggle, both politics and religion make attempts to undermine each other.

The Ten Commandments are nowhere in law books however Uganda’s penal code has various sections that are the bedrock of criminal judicial sanctions. Thus the latest salvo from the men of god for the postponement of national elections for three years comes in the wake of the end of the year pastoral communication.

At the end of every year normally, men of god issue letters containing messages of hope where there is no hope, expectation where there is none, and comfort when none is expected. These messages are read to the believers and followers and they are taken as gospel truth However this time around, the message from the Uganda Joint Christian Council: UJCC has landed on a sea of rocks, turned to be almost a teaser, a laughing stoke, and biggest joke of the year 2020.

The Uganda elective positions are provided for under the constitution.

Article 74 of The Uganda constitution of 1995 as amended provides for change of political systems by referenda or elections. It provides thus;

1. A referendum shall be held for the purpose of changing the political system-
2. If requested by a resolution supported by more than half of all members of parliament.
3. If requested by a resolution supported by the majority of the total membership of each of at least one half of the district council,
4. If requested through a petition to the electoral commission by at least  one-tenth of the registered voters from each of at least two-thirds of the constituents for which representatives and required to be directly elected under article 78(1)(a)of this constitution

2. The political system may also be changed by the elected representatives of the people in parliament and district council by resolution of parliament and district councils by resolution of parliament supported by not less than two-thirds of all members of parliament upon a petition to it supported by not less than two-thirds majority of the total membership of each of at least half of the district councils.

(3) The resolutions or petitions for the purposes of changing the political system shall be taken in the fourth year of the term of any parliament.

The salvo, therefore, should have been submitted in the third or fourth year of parliament for consideration but not three weeks to the election date.