Christmas roundup from Northern Uganda

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Archbishop Raphael Wokorach P’Mony, the Archbishop of Gulu Archdiocese, has called upon Ugandans to continue actively participating in processes leading to the election of national leaders next year.

The elections will begin with that of president and Members of Parliament on January 15th, followed by local government elections.

Speaking during his Christmas homily at Holy Rosary Parish, Archbishop Wokorach noted that many Christians have lost hope in the elections citing failures of elected leaders to deliver on their promises.

Archbishop Wokorach emphasised that participating in elections is “a calling from God, tasking believers to take part in choosing leaders who will represent them and uphold their values.”

The Archbishop observed that “Christians have set the bar too low, allowing political leaders to manipulate them through bribery. This, he says, has created a wide gap between current politics and the kind of leadership the country needs.

According to Archbishop Wokorach, the challenges of service delivery in the country can be corrected by Christians engaging in election processes for electing leaders capable of lifting communities from poverty.

From the Diocese of Northern Uganda, Bishop Godfrey Loum told the faithful that the main message of “Christmas is the great hope for the very lowly people who are less interested in business and politics.”

Bishop Loum said the proclamation about Christmas made by the angel to the shepherds, who were focused on tending to their sheep, demonstrates the deep love of Christ in seeking and saving the lowly.

“Don’t fear. For I have brought for you good news for all people on earth. This was not a message for the town dwellers, and it was not to the powers that were in play at that time.” He stated.

The proclamation, Bishop Loum said, essentially means three things for humanity that God, in his infinite mercy, looks for mankind in their various circumstances so he could save them.

The other, he said, “the Christmas message should transform us to a life of repentance and true Christian worship of God.”

Bishop Loum called on Ugandans to protect the 2026 electoral processes from being hijacked by ill-intentioned people bent on disorganising Uganda’s stability.

At Holy Rosary Catholic Parish in Gulu City, Father Eric Justine Uma, the Parish priest, urged Christians to allow the birth of Jesus Christ to guide them in making the right decisions.

Speaking during his Christmas Mass at Holy Rosary Parish, Fr. Uma told the congregation that the birth of Jesus Christ should renew their faith, which in turn should help them to make right decisions and live as good people.

Rev. Father Uma said that making the right decisions will enable Christians to achieve many good things in life and ultimately lead them to heaven.