Museveni quarrels with Bishop over term limits
Sunday, 17 June 2012 22:05
Mbale - President Yoweri Museveni has advised the clergy to avoid challenging him over the restoration of term limits, saying he would organise a conference to lecture them on the controversial issue.
A clearly agitated and tough-talking Museveni spoke at a centenary celebration and fundraising event at Nabumali High School in Mbale on Saturday. In yet another indication of his discomfort with respected religious leaders differing with him on key political questions, Museveni accused clerics of straying onto what he considers his political turf.
The president was reacting to Bishop Daniel Gimadu, of North Mbale diocese, who asked him to heed to the popular call of restoring term limits. In 2005, the ruling National Resistance Movement engineered the abolition of term limits from the Constitution, a move that made Museveni eligible to run for a fourth term in last year’s elections.
But in recent months, religious and civil society leaders have called for restoration of presidential term limits and urged the President to consider retiring in 2016, to allow for a peaceful transfer of power.
Bishop Gimadu returned to the subject on Saturday. In an inspired homily, the bishop urged Museveni to restore term limits so as to be at par with other countries in East Africa. “If you want to leave a legacy as an outstanding leader within the East African federation, you need to restore term limits so that when time comes for you to retire, your subjects will back you as a democratic leader who allowed them to freely choose their leaders. In Kenya, Tanzania and other East African countries, term limits are paramount, why not Uganda?” Gimadu had said, as people cheered.
Museveni was not impressed. He retorted that he was “tired” of always leaving a talk of term limits hanging. “The bishop gave us a good homily which touched my soul; unfortunately, he turned his good words of wisdom into politics which I think is not the good way for the clergy to venture in,” the president told a silent, seemingly stunned audience.
He added: “I want to end this talk once [and for all], so that the clergy can concentrate on their flock as I tackle mine politically. I am, therefore, organizing a conference where I will invite all the bishops and sheikhs so I can give them a lecture on term limits; none of them knows politics more than me,” Museveni said.
“Where does a good Christian get HIV from? Does he get it in Holy Communion or you the clergy are not telling them about spiritual morals?” Museveni said. “If HIV was among pagans alone, then it would be no more because as government, we would have fought it, since it is easier to change a pagan than a Christian who already has his spiritual values guided by his spiritual guardian.”
Sounding triumphant, Museveni added that he had warded off Bishop Zac Niringiye (retired Kampala assistant bishop)’s “lecture” on term limits. About unemployment, Museveni blamed it on poor guidance to the young people, who fail to choose marketable career options.
“Many graduates have not benefited from their expensive education because they cannot find employment anywhere,” the president said. “They took careers that must be competed for in the public service yet the public service can announce a job vacancy once after thirty years. We need to have many of the students take careers in medicine, agriculture, ICT, private sector, industry and tourism so as to get employment.”
He said the new Shs 16bn Graduates fund, announced by Finance Minister Maria Kiwanuka on Budget Thursday, would help university leavers to set up businesses. Museveni contributed Shs 80m towards the construction of the school’s Shs 1.5bn technology centre, which will host science and computer laboratories.
At the event, Nabumali’s distinguished alumni were recognized with medals; they included former Principal Judge James Ogoola, Umukuka (Bamasaba cultural leader) Wilson Wamimbi and veteran politician Darlington Sakwa, On Friday, Museveni laid a foundation stone for the construction of both Mbale industrial park and main market, expected to create 300,000 direct and indirect jobs.
ALSO SEE
Restore term limits before the country celebrates its 50th independence: Uganda Activists stick to their guns on the restoration of term limits in Uganda
http://watchmanafrica.blogspot.com/2012/06/restore-term-limits-before-country.html
Spiritual politics: Apostle Alex Mitala, blasts bishops and other spiritual heads for calling on President Yoweri Museveni to quit power and for the restoration of Presidential term limits.
http://watchmanafrica.blogspot.com/2012/06/restore-term-limits-before-country.html
By Abou Kisige
The assistant bishop of Kampala Diocese, Zac Niringiye, has retired seven years before his scheduled retirement.
Born on April 30, 1954 in Kisoro, Niringiye was consecrated assistant Kampala bishop in January 2005 at the age of 51. Bishops in the Church of Uganda are supposed to retire at 65, but Niringiye has retired at 58.
“I want to thank the church, Ugandans, the Christian community and the clergy, especially the Archbishop of Uganda, the Most Rev. Henry Luke Orombi, for allowing me to serve the lord in almost every capacity,” Niringiye said amid cheers from the congregation.
He made the remarks during his last summon at All-Saints Cathedral in Nakasero yesterday.
Niringiye called on Christians to advocate for peace, accountability, justice and better leadership.
“I have pride in President Yoweri Museveni because of his tremendous achievements in the development of the country and peace building. But I request him to retire honourably to protect his achievements,” he said.
Niringiye described his former boss, Archbishop Orombi, as a perfect shepherd who registered growth and development for the cathedral during his seven-year reign.
While blessing Niringiye, Orombi said: “The bishop knows his journey very well. With prayer, he will succeed in his endeavours.”
Niringiye holds a PhD in theology and mission history from Edinburgh University, a master’s degree in theology from Wheaton College, US, and a bachelor of science degree in physics from Makerere University.
He was ordained deacon in the diocese of Muhabura in 1995, but attached to All Saints Cathedral in Kampala.
In 1996, he was ordained priest and was assigned chaplain of the Muhabura diocese community.
He is a founder and proprietor of Relate Communications, a Christian organisation, which was the publisher of Relate Magazine.
Besides his pastoral duties, Niringiye heads the African Peer Review Mechanism (Uganda Chapter), which assesses the performance of African leaders.
Freshly retired Bishop Niringiye urges President to
follow suit
Publish
Date: Jun 25, 2012
The assistant bishop of Kampala Diocese, Zac Niringiye, has retired seven years before his scheduled retirement.
Born on April 30, 1954 in Kisoro, Niringiye was consecrated assistant Kampala bishop in January 2005 at the age of 51. Bishops in the Church of Uganda are supposed to retire at 65, but Niringiye has retired at 58.
“I want to thank the church, Ugandans, the Christian community and the clergy, especially the Archbishop of Uganda, the Most Rev. Henry Luke Orombi, for allowing me to serve the lord in almost every capacity,” Niringiye said amid cheers from the congregation.
He made the remarks during his last summon at All-Saints Cathedral in Nakasero yesterday.
Niringiye called on Christians to advocate for peace, accountability, justice and better leadership.
“I have pride in President Yoweri Museveni because of his tremendous achievements in the development of the country and peace building. But I request him to retire honourably to protect his achievements,” he said.
Niringiye described his former boss, Archbishop Orombi, as a perfect shepherd who registered growth and development for the cathedral during his seven-year reign.
While blessing Niringiye, Orombi said: “The bishop knows his journey very well. With prayer, he will succeed in his endeavours.”
Niringiye holds a PhD in theology and mission history from Edinburgh University, a master’s degree in theology from Wheaton College, US, and a bachelor of science degree in physics from Makerere University.
He was ordained deacon in the diocese of Muhabura in 1995, but attached to All Saints Cathedral in Kampala.
In 1996, he was ordained priest and was assigned chaplain of the Muhabura diocese community.
He is a founder and proprietor of Relate Communications, a Christian organisation, which was the publisher of Relate Magazine.
Besides his pastoral duties, Niringiye heads the African Peer Review Mechanism (Uganda Chapter), which assesses the performance of African leaders.
