Nebbi clerics speaks out against disunity  as  political atmosphere heats up

By Mike Rwothomio

Religious leaders in Nebbi have appealed for peaceful and constructive political campaign amongst politicians,  in the lead up to 2026 general elections.

This call was made on Friday  December 20, 2024, during a thanksgiving and end of year prayers organized by Nebbi Urban Archdeaconry, under Nebbi Diocese Church of Uganda,  for political  leaders of Nebbi Municipality,  at St Mark Church of Uganda Afere, Nebbi Municipality.

The strongly worded  statement against disunity,  is coming in fulfilment  of the church’s fundamental role of the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda,  premised on  unifying all leaders across all political divide.

Apparently, Political atmosphere in Nebbi and the entire country is boiling ahead of 2026 elections,  with incumbents toiling to retain their seats, as new political aspirants are   galvanizing their grass root support to unseat the incumbents.

Venerable Canon Jimmy Oweka, the Archdeacon of Nebbi Urban Archdeaconry in Nebbi Diocese Church of Uganda, underscored the need  for unity amongst all political leaders, noting that politics is not about mud-slinging each other, but working together towards development of the area.

Oweka also commended  Hashim Sulaiman, the MP of Nebbi Municipality, for his ” all-the time generous  support towards construction and other  church  and  mosques’s -related  activities in the area”,  highlighting deep-seated challenges the church is undergoing through, occasioned by financial constraints.

He also called for respect of leaders, bestowed with responsibilities to lead the community.

The scramble for political positions has already exacerbated open disunity amongst leaders, most of whom cannot see eye to eye, this publication understands.

The Archbishop of Gulu Ecclesiastical Province, also the apostolic administrator of Nebbi Catholic diocese, His Grace Raphael P’mony Wokorach, during a recent  burial of a priest at Heart of Mary Immaculate cathedral  in Nebbi, called upon political leaders to practice unity, such that they don’t fuel discord amongst locals.

Relatedly, Mutwalib Olyedhire, the Imam of Taqua mosque Makor in  Nebbi Municipality  whilst for a fund-raising event  with Nebbi Municipality leaders at the mosque on December 20,  commended Nebbi Municipality leaders for their unity, calling for their generous support towards construction of a  sanitary facility   and clean water at the mosque.

Meanwhile the  Member of Parliament for Nebbi Municipality Hashim Sulaiman, called for a cordial working relationship with church and mosque leaders, pledging for more support towards their respective developments.

Hashim upon supporting clerics from Nebbi Urban diocese with some financial support,  also rallied  fellow political leaders to be”  result-oriented, to solicit for automatic love and  support from the populace “

Apparently, the church is facing immense challenge through dwindling donor  support, exacerbated by  Uganda government’s firm stance against homosexuality.

Nebbi Municipality MP Hashim Sulaiman ,  called upon religious leaders to  let leaders know the challenges they are going through, for effective planning,  assuring  them  of  his ready  all-year round support. He supported Taqua Mosque with  Ugx 2 million, to fund the ongoing construction of water and sanitary facility at the mosque.

Geoffrey Ngiriker, the mayor of Nebbi Municipality during the ceremony, commended Church leaders for standing against politics of divisionism ,  calling for unity and constructive politics of maturity for effective development of Nebbi.  He also pledged for future  maximum support for Taqua mosque, and offered unspecified amount of money to support the Mosque.

In Uganda , most politicians try to provoke the public through their ethnic identities and religious backgrounds and  resource-based conflicts also exist, as the country experiences ineffective utilization of its natural resources 

Ngiriker also called upon locals to distinguish between”  true leaders and those coming to amplify and fuel confusion as political seasons approaches” 

Religious leaders play pivotal role in  addressing urgent needs and emphasize shared humanity, and  promotes unity, harmony, and tolerance, especially when there is an ethnic or religion-based provocation of conflicts in the community.

Rev Grace  Dhugira, the Parish Priest of Nebbi Town Parish church of Uganda, noted  that the church ” play vital role  of accommodating all leaders regardless of their political affiliations” , commending leaders like Nebbi Municipality MP Hashim Sulaiman, for always standing in the gap for the church.

Nebbi Municipality MP Hashim Sulaiman,  called for support to religious denominations, highlighting the significance of  Collaborating  with political leaders, for the  all- year round support.

At the end of the function, church leaders held joint prayers for leaders of Nebbi Municipality,  calling upon them  to practice unity and live in harmony in the lead up to 2026 elections.