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| The Speaker of Uganda Parliament, Ms Rebecca Kadaga delivers her speech |
By Jacinta W. Odongo, Media Officer, Uganda Episcopal Conference
Religious leaders in Uganda have urged Members of Parliament (MPs) to be faithful and transparent in execution of their work if they are to champion accountability for improved service delivery.
The remarks were made during the Uganda Parliament’s Annual Prayer Breakfast held at Parliamentary Parking Yard on Monday 14th January 2019, as part of activities to mark the Parliament Week 2019 running under the theme, “Championing Accountability to Improve Service Delivery.”
Speaking at the function, retired Anglican Bishop of North Kigezi Diocese, Rt. Rev. Edward Muhima, who was the main celebrant said that accountability calls for honesty and truthfulness hence MPs must be faithful and transparent in their leadership role.
“When you know and speak the truth, it sets you free from many things. Lack of faithfulness has caused corruption in this country. If we are going to be accountable, we have to be faithful servants of this country, transparent in what we do,” said Bishop Muhima.
He further challenged them to be accommodation by receiving and working with everyone regardless of tribe, color, race, religion and political party arguing that tribalism threatens workplace cooperation and development.
“If we put all these values together we will achieve integrity in our country. Therefore, as stewards in leadership positions we need to maintain moral values by showing good examples,” he said.
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| Chaplain of the Uganda Parliamentary Chaplaincy, Rev. Fr. Pontian Kaweesa who is also the National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) in Uganda. |
The Second Deputy Mufti of Uganda, Sheikh Muhammad Waiswa, in his sermon said that those who do not fear and respect God are tempted by the devil to indulge in corruption, which affects service delivery in both private and public institutions.
The Catholic Church was represented by the Chaplain of the Uganda Parliamentary Chaplaincy, Rev. Fr. Pontian Kaweesa, who is also the National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) in Uganda.
Meanwhile, in her speech, the Speaker of Parliament, Ms Rebecca Kadaga, assured religious leaders that she will continue to expose corrupt officials regardless of which political party they are affiliated to.” I I will continue speaking about corruption. As leaders we have a common agenda to develop our country but not to be corrupt leaders,” the Speaker said.
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| A section of the MPs, government officials and members of the public during the Parliamentary Week Prayer Breakfast |
The 2019 Parliament Week began on Sunday 13th January with a charity walk aimed at raising funds for the construction of a rehabilitation and community center for Persons with Albinism. A range of activities have been lined up for the week-long event including tree planting, exhibition by departments of Parliament of Uganda, Government ministries and agencies as well as public Vs. local government leaders’ debate.
The Parliament Week is an annual event organized to make Parliament understandable, accessible and participatory by the general public.
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