Cardinal Condemns Election Malpractice
May 09, 2006
Archbishop Emmanuel Cardinal Wamala felt pain over the election malpractice and violence in the recent national elections, he told a congregation yesterday.
New Vision (Kampala, April 17, 2006) "My heart bleeds when I think of the malpractices and the criminal acts in which many of you who bear the names of Christians were implicated.
"That means that you are separating politics from Christianity, politics is part of a Christian's life," Wamala said in his Easter sermon at Lubaga Cathedral.
Among the massive congregation were politicians who contested in the recent elections. Wamala called for grooming of young leaders and commended Christians who contested in the elections.
"It's important to groom leaders. When we hear someone went through unopposed, it means in that area, the leadership is poor. That's why I thank those who stood, whether they won or lost," said Wamala.
Wamala expressed disappointment that people implicated in the malpractices and criminal acts during the electioneering were Christians.
"There were many malpractices and criminal acts and that makes my heart bleed," said Wamala.
The Supreme Court earlier this month ruled that the presidential election was characterised by malpractices and non-compliance with electoral laws.
Wamala said President Yoweri Museveni has always referred to Uganda as a backward society and that this was confirmed during the elections.
The announcer dedicated the mass to the newly-elected Rubaga Division councillors and some MPs.
Rubaga Division chairman-elect Winnie Makumbi led local councillors in presenting Easter gifts to Wamala.
Other prominent guests included state minister for water Maria Mutagamba, MP Joseph Balikuddembe, MP-elect Matthias Nsubuga, the chairman of Centenary Rural Development Bank (CERUDEB), Dr Dumba and the bank's CEO, Simon Kagugube.
Wamala decried corruption in Uganda, saying the vice had kept the country under-developed and poor. pointing into the congregation, Cardinal Wamala said he had seen Pajeros, Mercedes Benzes and other posh cars parked in the church yard but when he asks the owners how they acquired these machines, they cannot answer.
Cardinal Condemns Election Malpractice