Christmas is the gift of a Saviour of the human race. When Jesus became man, he elevated humanity. God became united with man. When God unites with man, great things happen. The incarnation of Jesus brought us peace, reconciliation, unity and love, which we all desire to see in our communities and country at large.
I urge all Christians to pray more fervently for peace and unity to prevail in our country. We are celebrating this year’s Christmas in a mood of political anxiety, subsequent to the amendment of Article 102b of the Constitution.
Before the amendment was made, we the religious leaders advised the parliamentarians to uphold the Constitution with respect because it had been written with due consideration of the country’s troubled background. We even proposed a referendum to this effect.
Unfortunately our ideas were pushed aside. Subsequently the age limit cap was removed and elections of MPS and local government leaders were pushed to 2013.
The legislators amended the article without the approval of the citizens who own the same constitution! We wonder, who gave them the power? What is the future of the country? Suppose we get a President who is not so good? It is very sad. I think the project was done unnecessarily hurriedly.
There was also intimidation; some people died and some others injured. Cry my beloved country! We don’t really know what the future holds. In any case, let’s continue to pray for our country, bearing in mind that Jesus, who has been born to us, is the Prince of Peace. He is also the Lord and master of history and events; he will take us through all the challenging situations.
We must not lose hope. We should rather be even more committed to our motto, For God and my Country.
By The Most Rev Archbishop John Baptist Odama (Chairman of the Uganda Episcopal Conference).
