Stakeholders in Kabale District have raised concern over the rising tide of religious politics, warning that it may fuel division among residents and undermine effective service delivery.
The concerns were raised during a district stakeholders’ engagement organized by the Local Sustainable Communities Organization (LOSCO), in partnership with the Uganda NGO Forum, held on Thursday at Kirigime Guest House in Kabale Municipality. The dialogue focused on human rights advocacy and economic empowerment for vulnerable communities.
LOSCO Executive Director, Mr Albert Taremwa, warned that the region risks regressing to dark historical periods if sectarianism isn’t addressed.
“We risk returning to the divisive days of Idi Amin. As citizens, Article 38 of the Constitution mandates us to participate in governance. We must fight religious divisionism, it’s pulling us backward.” Mr Taremwa said.
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Ms Judith Caroline Kyomugisha, a human rights officer at the Kabale Regional Human Rights Commission, said religious sectarianism is affecting service delivery.
“Sectarianism is creeping into local government recruitment processes, where religion is considered over merit. This is very dangerous,” she said.
“If we vote based on religion instead of a candidate’s capability or manifesto, we end up electing the wrong leaders, and that compromises service delivery.” She added.
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The Executive Director of Youth Elevation Initiative , Mr Davis Akampurira, noted that young people are increasingly socialized to believe that political success hinges on religious endorsement.
“Youth now think you must be backed by a religious institution to win political office. This mindset has distorted the essence of leadership, which should be free from religious bias,” he stated.
He added that sectarianism also distorts resource allocation, especially when political leaders align by faith.
“If both an MP and the district chairperson belong to the same religious group and prioritize that in decision-making, it affects how services are distributed.” He said.
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The Kigezi Police Community Liaison Officer, Mr Gilbert Mwebembezi, urged religious and political leaders to educate the public on the dangers of sectarianism.
“When delivering services, religion should never be a factor. You’re not serving a religious group, you’re serving the whole district. If this trend continues, it could even lead to family divisions or violence,” he warned.
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Former Kabale Municipality Member of Parliament, Mr Andrew Aja Baryayanga, recounted how religious favoritism played out during his bid for the Kabale NRM District Chairmanship.
“I was urged to withdraw from the race in favor of Minister David Bahati because he’s ‘more Anglican.’ I stayed in the race, but that kind of pressure shows how deep-rooted the problem is. This path leads us backward, not forward.” Mr Baryayanga said.
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Ms Grace Ankunda Bekunda Bwesigye, a former Ndorwa East MP aspirant, called for community barazas and leadership training as interventions.
“Let’s begin with leaders and then engage communities. We can hold workshops and trainings to change mindsets. As long as people vote based on religion and not leadership ability, service delivery will suffer,” she said.
“Kigezi must rise above religious and personal alliances and focus on electing leaders based on competence.” She added.
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In November last year, President Yoweri Museveni, while campaigning for NRM candidate Rose Kabagyeni in Kisoro District, slammed religious and tribal divisionism as a threat to Uganda’s unity. He reminded Ugandans of the country’s troubled past, including the 1994 Rwandan genocide and unrest in the DRC, as examples of where sectarianism can lead.
