Born Again pastors have congratulated President Yoweri Museveni upon winning what they called the most peaceful election in Uganda’s history.
The Electoral Commission last month declared Museveni winner of the January 2021 elections with 58.38 per cent against his closest rival, Kyagulanyi Sentamu Robert of the National Unity Platform who polled 35 per cent of the total valid ballots cast.
In a joint statement read by pastor Robert Kayanja of Miracle Centre Cathedral Kampala, the pastors commended the leadership of Museveni for having made this possible. The pastors were meeting Museveni who was accompanied proved that when Godly people are in leadership, the people rejoice. As a father of the nation, like Moses in the Bible says God has used you to deliver several freedoms in this country including the freedom of worship among others,” Kayanja said.
Contrary to the pastors’ proclamations, a larger section of independent observers noted that this year’s election has been one of the most violent of all the six elections that have been held under the NRM government. This is based on the fact that at least 54 people were killed and more than 1,000 arrested in November last year as they protested the arrest and detention of then-presidential candidate, Kyagulanyi.
The November events are one of the grounds on which Kyagulanyi is basing to ask the Supreme court to annul Museveni’s victory. But the pastors told Museveni that his victory is their victory because they have worked closely with him.
“Today we come first to congratulate you upon your victory. Our relationship with you and the NRM government is not a seasonal affair but a lasting and deep partnership for our country. Your victory is ours, Uganda’s and for Africa as well,” Kayanja who led the delegation of the pastors from across the country said.
In reaction, Museveni commended them for what he called a principled stand they took to support what is right against what is wrong and supporting a continuation of peace in Uganda. He appealed to the pastors and all other church leaders to join government efforts in addressing the issue of wealth and health of Ugandans saying that it’s not correct for them to abandon the people in need.
“Traditional churches are not addressing the issue of wealth and health of our communities. It is not correct for churches, the government and political parties to live with people in need. Am therefore happy to be joined by churches to work on this issue” Museveni said.
For her part, the First Lady thanked the pastors for the good work they have done and continue to do for Uganda.
“Thank you, God, for giving us back the victory we asked you for. Thank you for the good work you did but also for the work you are still doing for this nation,” she said.
The Museveni’s also met and held discussions with the Mothers Union group and Moslem Women leaders. Led by Ms Lillian Ahimbisibwe, president Mothers Union Western Uganda, Mrs Josephine Kasaato, president Mothers Union Namirembe Diocese and Hajat Namakula, the head of the Moslem women leaders, the mothers revealed that there is a lack of information and communication of the different government programmes to the communities.
Museveni urged them to embrace the four principles of NRM including; patriotism, pan-Africanism, social economic transformation and democracy.
“The biggest problem we have here is the people working for the stomach only. We need to change our people and empower them to have an income. If you can focus on this, I will work with you,” the president said.
The meeting of Born Again pastors comes at the time when several government officials have previously warned religious leaders against meddling in the politics of the country. The minister for Presidency Esther Mbayo blamed the Catholic church in particular for the election loss that the NRM suffered in the central region in the general electionsby his wife Janet Kataaha Museveni at State House Entebbe on Wednesday night.it