By Kitts D. Mabonga
NAMUGONGO
The Evangelical Orthodox Church (EOC) in Uganda has issued a warning regarding the potential erosion of the country’s development agenda program unless the government takes decisive action to combat the increasing cases of corruption. Bishop Jacinto Kibuuka, speaking in an interview with the East African Gazette at the Mamre Prayer Palace in Namugongo, Kira Municipality, emphasized the need for the government to actively address and confront the deeply rooted levels of corruption.
He further highlighted that failure to do so could have significant consequences for the NRM party in the future.
“We are concerned as the church that the government seems not to be doing enough in fighting corruption cases which are escalating each passing day with impunity,” he noted.
He noted that as the church continues preaching against corruption among their flock where some of the culprits come for spiritual nourishment, government must take the lead in employing all means possible including legal, political and administrative in combating the burden which erodes service delivery to the taxpayer community.
He voiced serious apprehension over the fact that numerous influential individuals within the government are brazenly embezzling billions of taxpayer funds without facing consequences, warning that this impunity will eventually lead to repercussions for the general public.
Turning to the recently approved budget estimates for financial year 2024/25 by parliament which stands at a staggering 72 trillion, the cleric warned that the taxpayers should prepare to tighten their belts as well as accept to pay up as demanded by the 1995 constitution of the country.
Kibuuka also said there should be fairness such that as the population meets their tax obligations while at the same time government in reciprocation, must provide the necessary social services such as equipping hospitals with drugs and personnel, improving on the education standards, fixing the transport infrastructure and important of all addressing the economy which currently seems to be on its death bed.
He added that as the church they will continue doing their part of providing the positive spiritual nourishment messages to the population like encouraging them to fight corruption, homosexuality, combating spread of HIV and Aids, alcoholism, drug addiction among the youth as well as mobilizing communities to participate in all government economic empowerment programs.
He thanked those parents who have counselled their children about observing a high degree of discipline and good manners during this ending holiday season, saying the teachers at schools should continue doing their positive part of imparting knowledge to the upcoming future leaders who would take over from them.
He decried the escalating wave of crime among the urban communities saying this act deprives citizens of their property and endangers their lives which is the responsibility of security agencies to protect both the life and property of citizens without delay or compromise.
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