By Mazufaru Tugume | Ruburizi District.
Venerable Canon Joab Akankunda, the Archdeacon of Rugando Archdeaconry in Rubirizi District, has asked Christians to embrace love, forgiveness, faithfulness and unity, warning that domestic violence, alcoholism and drug abuse are undermining family stability and development.
Akankunda made the call on Sunday while addressing Christians at Nyakatunga Church of Uganda in Katerera, Rubirizi District, during a thanksgiving service for Yona Tumuranze, the church lay leader who survived a serious accident.
He said many families were struggling because of domestic violence, anger, hatred, alcoholism and lack of cooperation between spouses.
Ven. Can. Akankunda warned parents against domestic violence, saying it destroys love, trust, peace and the financial stability of families instead of resolving disagreements.
He noted that excessive alcohol consumption often leads to domestic conflicts, wastes money that would otherwise support household needs and weakens parents’ ability to provide for their families.
The cleric urged men to return to God, take responsibility for their families and work closely with their wives to achieve household development.
He said families could only progress when couples trusted each other, shared ideas and jointly planned for their future.
“Family development can only be achieved when husbands and wives work together, share ideas and plan together. A family that does not work together cannot grow,” he said.
Akankunda also cautioned young people against drug abuse, alcoholism and other immoral behaviors, warning that substance abuse destroys their health, wastes resources and exposes them to criminal activities.
He observed that some young people had lost opportunities and ended up in prison because of decisions made under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
He further called on religious leaders to work together in promoting love, forgiveness and peaceful coexistence, saying hatred, gossip, tribalism and political divisions were undermining community development.
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Rev. Apophia Kiiza, a priest at All Saints Church Katerera, also urged married couples to remain faithful to each other and put God at the centre of their families.
She said homes built on love, peace, unity and faith produce responsible children who respect others and fear God.
She cautioned that conflicts, hatred and lack of cooperation among family members were contributing to the breakdown of marriages and weakening communities.
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Meanwhile, Ezekiel Lubogo, a lay leader at Kanywero Church of Uganda, commended residents who had abandoned bitterness, anger and hatred, which he said had contributed to immoral behaviour and conflicts in the community.
He urged residents to shun gossip, quarrels and witchcraft, saying such practices create enmity, discourages cooperation and frustrates development efforts.
Lubogo added that disunity among community members had worsened poverty and hunger because residents failed to work together towards common development goals.
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Tumuranze, whose thanksgiving service brought Christians together, thanked God for sparing his life following the accident and urged believers to maintain a culture of thanksgiving regardless of their circumstances.
He challenged Christians not to remember God only during difficult times but also to appreciate Him during periods of happiness and prosperity.
He also encouraged men to strengthen their relationship with God, maintain good morals and work together with their wives to improve their families.
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