Kaziimba rebukes politicians, asks them to ‘stop weaponising division’

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Church of Uganda Archbishop Dr Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu has urged politicians to stop practices that fuel resentment, hostility and public anxiety, warning that the country cannot experience genuine progress if politics continues to be defined by conflict.

Preaching to Members of Parliament (MPs) and guests during the End-of-Year Holy Communion Christmas Carols service at Parliament on December 11, 2025, at the Parliament conference hall, the archbishop said the season should mark a deliberate national shift toward reconciliation, humility, and responsible leadership.

Kaziimba, drawing from Isaiah 9, said while the political climate is often marked by tension, suspicion and rivalry, leaders must actively choose to be instruments of peace.

“Some people are walking, but they are dead on the inside. They greet you outwardly but curse you inwardly. Many leaders have power but no peace,” he said. 

“If you carry negative energy, bitterness, or old wounds, you cannot build a peaceful nation. The Prince of Peace (Jesus) calls us to a higher standard.”

No space for animosity

He cautioned MPs against “weaponising division” in debates, public messaging and community mobilisation, saying politics must not become a platform for animosity. Kaziimba noted that the country is heading into a politically sensitive period, and leaders have a duty to model restraint, truthfulness, and maturity.

Kaziimba described Uganda as a nation yearning for stability and moral clarity, but one whose progress is often undermined by personal rivalries, unresolved political grudges, and the tendency to turn every disagreement into a war.

“Some people fail to accept reality, whether it is election results, new appointments, or government decisions. When you reject reality, you reject peace,” he said.

He encouraged leaders to emulate those who handle political setbacks with calmness and gratitude. “We must appreciate the leaders who, when elections do not go their way, respond with grace, not violence. Peace is not the absence of competition; peace is the presence of Godly character in how you compete,” he added.

Kazimba also warned that many of the conflicts emerging in Parliament and across political parties originate from leaders who lack internal peace. “If your heart is wounded, your leadership will be wounded. If your soul is bitter, your politics will be bitter.

Peace begins with accepting yourself, forgiving yourself, and letting Christ restore what has been broken inside you,” he said.

Lead by example

He urged MPs to lead by example in promoting unity across regions and parties. With Uganda facing economic pressures, social tensions, and a surge in misinformation, he said the country needs leaders who speak hope responsibly.

“You cannot be a leader who spreads fear and expect citizens to walk in confidence. You cannot call for calm while sowing confusion. Leadership must align your public voice and your private heart,” he told the legislators.

He challenged MPs to create a political culture where disagreements are handled with maturity. 

“Debate is healthy. Division is destructive. Parliament should be a house of ideas, not a battlefield of grudges,” he said, adding that reconciliation must start from within the House and spread across communities.

Remain vigilant

Former ethics and integrity minister, also Bufumbira East legislator Nsaba Buturo warned that the Church remains a key target for forces seeking to influence political direction, arguing that “once you capture the Church, you capture the nation.”

He urged Christians and leaders to remain vigilant and resist any attempts to undermine the moral authority of faith institutions.

Buturo appealed to believers to continue engaging Parliament through prayer and presence, saying the country is navigating a “very sensitive moment” as Ugandans prepare to choose leaders for the next five years. He asked the congregation to pray for leaders “whose interests align with the values of God, not those driven by greed or wicked agendas.”

He commended the Anglican Chaplaincy in Parliament for its work in nurturing spiritual discipline among legislators, saying its role remains critical in ensuring Uganda stays “a nation of God.”

Representing Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, Buturo pledged to relay the success of the Christmas Carols service and encouraged continuous fellowship between Parliament, clergy, and the public.