The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, the Most Rev Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu, has called on Ugandans to embrace peace, unity, and restraint during the festive season and ahead of the 2026 General Elections.
Delivering his Christmas message from his residence in Namirembe, Kampala, yesterday, Archbishop Kaziimba urged Ugandans to emulate Jesus Christ, whom he described as the Prince of Peace, amid growing political tensions.
‘As we approach Christmas Day and the close of the year, I remind the Church of Uganda of our theme for the coming year: Christ for Unity, Stability, and Peace (Ephesians 2:14-17),’ the archbishop said.
‘In a world marked by division and unrest, Christ alone brings reconciliation, stability, and hope,’ he added.
Looking ahead to the January 15, 2026, elections, Archbishop Kaziimba called upon political actors, security agencies, and citizens to commit themselves to peaceful, free, and fair polls.
‘We strongly condemn all forms of brutality and violence, especially against unarmed citizens,’ he said, adding that security agencies are mandated to protect life and human dignity, not violate them.
He also emphasised that dialogue, tolerance, and mutual respect must guide political engagement to ensure a peaceful and credible electoral process.
‘Uganda belongs to all of us, and peace is our shared responsibility,’ he added. The archbishop further raised concern over environmental degradation, warning that the destruction of forests, wetlands, and fragile ecosystems continues to expose communities to disasters such as floods and landslides.
He warned Ugandans to treat environmental conservation as a moral and spiritual obligation. ‘Caring for creation is not optional; it is our God-given responsibility,’ he said. Highlighting the Church’s humanitarian role, Archbishop Kaziimba said the Church of Uganda is standing in solidarity with communities affected by disasters, including victims of the deadly landslides in the Sebei Sub-region.
He revealed that the Church, through its Directorate of Household and Community Transformation (HCT) and with support from ACT Alliance, launched an emergency response targeting 800 households in Bukwo, Kween, and Kapchorwa districts, with a budget of $149,000 (Shs532 million). Beneficiaries are receiving food supplies, including maize flour, beans, cooking oil, rice, sugar, and soya porridge for children.
The archbishop also said the Church is supporting refugees, disclosing that in May 2025, the Church dispatched relief items to Nakivale Refugee Settlement in Isingiro District to support those fleeing conflict in the DR Congo, Rwanda and Burundi.
Uganda currently hosts about two million refugees. The archbishop asked believers to extend compassion to the needy and pray for national healing, peace, and transformation.
Public outcry
Kaziimba’s call comes days after members of the clergy were criticised for not condemning brutality meted out against Opposition supporters ahead of the 2026 polls.
In an interview with NTV-Uganda, a sister station to this publication, last week, Canon Augustine Magala Musiwuufu, a former dean of St Paul’s Cathedral, Namirembe, criticised clerics for what he termed as silence at a time when moral clarity was most needed.