Adjumani | The Bishop of Madi West Nile Diocese, Rt. Rev. Dr. Charles Collins Andaku, has appealed to politicians in the West Nile sub-region to embrace unity and practice “politics of love” as the country moves toward the forthcoming primary elections.
Speaking during a ceremony of commissioning Biyaya secondary school students’, Andaku likened politics to a game that should be played with fairness, mutual respect, and a spirit of sportsmanship. He warned against hate speech, violence, and divisive rhetoric that often arise during election seasons.
“I’ve quite often given to the press but I will continue to say that let’s take elections as a game. You either win or you lose. It’s like playing football. One team must win and other must lose. But when you lose, that’s not the end of the life. And when you succeed, unite with those others who have failed to build our region.
“I always compare our region with the other regions. I challenge them. When you go to the north, Gulu, Lango, Bunyoro region, they are united. Even if they’re in different parties, they develop their land. They develop their region. So, my appeal is let’s take this as a as a game. And once you’ve lost, accept and join hands with those who have succeeded.
“But as you campaign, do it peacefully. Do it in love and do it knowing that this is our land, not somebody’s land. Your time may come. So, I pray that brotherhood, love and peace should be the key issue to hold so that we can grow our region westward. That’s my message to me,” said Collins.
The chaplain of Madi West Nile Diocese, Ngoma Zebidu also urged politicians to allow the people to exercise their citizenship right freely without causing commotion and destruction to their lives.
“My message to the people of West Nile, God knows our hearts. God is God of season. For those who are already in the system, if God says through his people that your time is up, please accept it willingly. And if you still alive. He will grant you another opportunity to come back.
“Let people exercise their citizenship right freely without being forced, without being confused, without being coerced into following things that will not be good for them. As leaders, let us exercise politics of love, politics of truth, politics of unity, and politics of true leadership that will bring light and drive away darkness,” said Chaplain Ngoma.
He added: “We should not give opportunity for the devil to use us as objects of destruction, objects of causing disunity, objects of disuniting, and causing bloodshed. Because who are the people you are going to lead? If they are going to be destroyed because of your ill leadership, because of your ill destruction, whom are you going to lead? You are to lead people who are living, who are alive, who are peaceful in heart.”
“So, don’t force yourself into leadership position. But let the will of God be done. They say there’s time for everything. If it is still your time to lead, you lead. If it is time for you to rest, you will rest and accept it in good faith and God will bless you at the end of the day without causing commotion, causing disturbance and confusion in the lives of innocent people by spreading wrong doctrine of politics which we are not praying for, but we are praying for true politics which will transform people, which will unite people, which will accept people and make people accept the truth in the name of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.”
The chaplain said the Bishop ’s message comes at a critical time as political tensions begin to rise across the region in preparation for party primaries. His call resonated with many community leaders, who applauded the church for offering moral guidance in what is expected to be a heated political season.
Adropia Irene Api, the secretary for finance with Adjumani district local government and also aspiring district councillor for Adjumani Town Council, has urged people not to allow themselves to be forced into cheap politics.
“I want to request my people don’t allow someone to force or bribe to so that you can vote for him or her but I am urging you to exercise your constitutional right of electing any candidate of your choice,” said Api.
The message of peace and unity is expected to serve as a cornerstone in shaping the conduct of elections across West Nile, as the region anticipates a highly competitive primary season.
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