A new year is upon us, a year we all believe is better than the old. As we look at how far the Lord has brought us, here are some of the messages religious leaders shared to encourage and offer guidance for the New Year 2025:
The Inter Religious Council of Uganda (IRCU) raised concern about the moral decay in the country. In a press briefing held at their headquarters in Mengo, IRCU represented by Dr Joseph Sserwadda said: “Moral decay is a pressing concern affecting every sector of society and is the reason why several development initiatives are failing. If we do not address this vice, aspirations as a nation will not count.”
The Council called upon citizens and leaders to form a united active front to address moral decay and advised against the “passive messianic intervention and miraculous disappearance of moral decay” mentality that some people have.
In the same regard, Rev Fr Charles Kasibante pointed out corruption as a hindrance to advancement: “Corruption is a hurdle preventing our advancement and improving our situation,” he said. He further asked the government to prepare beneficiaries of its programmes before they are implemented and also employ a reasonable task force in number to implement the programmes.
Sheikh Muhammad Ali Waiswa representing the Muslim community on the council stated that morality is a complex issue that requires a lot to be looked into, starting with the education systems. He attributed unemployment to the vice.
At another press briefing, the Uganda Union Mission and leader of the Adventist community Pr Moses Maka, applauded the government and leadership of President Museveni for stirring the country in the fight against poverty, disease and for establishing initiatives to the government to improve the livelihoods of Ugandans.
He also pointed out corruption as major vice barring the country from registering substantial development and better socio economic wellbeing.
“We would have done better if not for the prevalent corruption culture, among the youth moral decay and the increase of lack of role models among the adults,” said Pr Maka.
Archbishop of Church of Uganda Rt Rev Steven Kaziimba, in his New Year’s message at Namirembe Cathedral, encouraged Christians to make resolutions based on imitation of God because he is the ultimate source of goodness.
“Do this by loving one another. This is through extending the love God showed to us when He sent His Son to die and suffer on the Cross for us,” he said.
He also cautioned on habits like land grabbing and corruption.
He also called upon the government to respond to the claims of exploitation by migrant workers, especially in the Middle East.
Compiled by Catherine Male
