Christians want politics out of church

Delegates attend West Ankole Diocesan Synod at Bweranyangi in Bushenyi District last Friday. PHOTO BY ZADOCK AMANYISA 

BUSHENYI. West Ankole Diocesan synod members have said politicians should be stopped from campaigning and promoting their interests in church.
The matter came up at the 9th synod meeting held at the diocesan headquarters at St Peter’s Cathedral Bweranyangi in Bushenyi Town on Friday.
Ms Jolly Nuwamanya, a delegate from Kashenyi Ishaka, pointed out that during the last elections, politicians were given platforms by religious leaders to campaign, which affected prayers.
She said much of the time was given to politicians. “Politicians and candidates were given time at the expense of prayers. This moved us from the main cause that was taking us to church,” she said.

Ms Alison Ayetoraniire (NRM), a former Buhweju District Woman MP contestant, said religion was used in the elections and she was a victim of religious driven politics. She lost to the incumbent Oliver Koyekyenga (Independent).
“In my area Buhweju, some people de-campaigned us because we were from another religion. Even they talked ill about the bishop and conflicts stemmed from there. Something should be done to make peace during the time for campaigning,” she said.
West Ankole Diocese Bishop Yona Katoneene observed that used in campaigning and politics, religion can be poisonous and, therefore, the diocese will establish strong guidelines to keep out of politics in the next elections.

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