Catholic Bishops under their umbrella the Uganda Episcopal Conference have expressed concern over the ever-rising cost of living.
In their independence day message, read by their chairman and the Bishop of Kiyinda Mityana, Anthony Zziwa, the prelates said that although Uganda has made a lot of progress in the last ten years, the current challenges of an economy that is in free fall risks eroding this transformation.
Zziwa said economically the country has continued to notice positive signs of growth punctuated by the government’s attraction of new investors to the country and the opening of new industries and industrial parks across the country but unfortunately, as the country marks 60 years of self-rule, the quality of lives of many Ugandans is deteriorating thanks to a bad economy.
The Bishops also expressed concern over the shrinking space of democracy and freedom of expression where people are arrested for their political views. They also noted that as the country celebrates 60 years, it must fight to eliminate the vice of corruption, which they said is retarding progress.
“We also desired a thriving democracy and good governance. But we find ourselves concentrating on our differences rather than what unites us. We should focus on what can make us grow together as a nation. Responsible democracy and issue-based politics are the way to go. The expected moral standard and expertise of our leaders are clearly stipulated in our laws this must be upheld by our leaders. Our aspiration is to attain transparent and accountable leadership at every level. This is a moral obligation for each one of us. It is sad to hear and read in some reports how we continue to struggle in our efforts to eliminate corruption. We hope by our next anniversary we are bereft of corruption,” Zziwa said.
On the rising cases of insecurity in the different parts of the country, the Bishops said that it was incomprehensible that a country that is an oasis of faith in a world that continues to become more and more secular with God taking a back seat, can at the same time be a seat of senseless killings. He said such acts must be fought by all God-fearing people.
Uganda is to mark its 60th independence anniversary today at Kololo Independence Grounds. Dignities from across the world have started arriving. So far those who have landed in the country include the President of; Kenya William Ruto, Burundi, Evariste Ndayishimye, Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Muhamud, South Sudan Salva Kiir Mayardit, and Zanzibar, Hussein Ali Mwinyi.
