North Kigezi Diocese Bishop, Rt Rev Onesimus Asiimwe, has issued a strong warning to voters against accepting money and handouts from politicians, saying the growing culture of bribery is cheapening citizens and hurting service delivery across the country.
Speaking during a confirmation and thanksgiving service to launch the construction of St John’s Karuhembe Church of Uganda in Kebisoni, Rukungiri District, on November 25, Bishop Asiimwe said voters must take responsibility for choosing leaders who will genuinely work for development.
‘Stop voting people for giving you money. Someone gives you Shs500 and buys you off to vote for them,’ Bishop Asiimwe said. ‘At home where I was born, I was home and someone brought me a hoe and a panga that I vote them, me, bishop, that I vote for a hoe. I asked the delivery to take it back.’
He condemned the growing culture of electing leaders who disappear after winning seats, only to reappear when it is time to seek votes again.
‘Don’t be cheap, becoming lowly people that you have no taste in you,’ he said. ‘Vote for someone who you can be convinced that they can be good representatives when they get to Parliament, people who can at least make roads. Don’t vote for people who will come looking for votes but you will never see them again because they are in their own, and they come back for votes in another season. Pray for our country.’
Corruption ‘at its peak’
Bishop Asiimwe also decried escalating corruption, which he said has eaten into every sector, from homes and schools to government offices and even the church.
‘Corruption in Uganda is at its peak, it’s greater than that of all countries,’ he said. ‘Money that goes to people’s pockets should have made us all roads, schools, hospitals, but it goes to individuals. Uganda is so rich, people have eaten money and it can’t get over. But the lowly people are the ones suffering, and they are the ones that later vote them back.’
The Bishop said the church itself has not been spared.
‘When I came in this diocese, it was shameful. I came in March and there was only Shs20m on account and most of the collections had been made. I made six months without salary. I want to tell you there is also corruption in church,’ he said.
He added that corruption has infiltrated homes and schools, creating a society where cheating is normalised.
‘Corruption has even invaded family and school-that teachers cheat children, children their mothers, and mothers their husbands, while husbands cheat their employers. There shall not be any transformation of our country; it must begin with the family.’
Call for accountability in church projects
Bishop Asiimwe urged church leaders to ensure transparent financial management to build trust and attract more support for church projects.
At least Shs15 million was raised for the foundation of the new church. The Lions Club of Entebbe and the Batsikana family also donated a vehicle to the church-founded Karuhembe Technical Institute.
Mr Amos Batsikana said the church plays an important role in community development, noting that its projects often inspire greater trust than those of government or community leaders.