By Male Marvin
KAMPALA – State Minister for Youth and Children Affairs Florence Nakiwala has said should faith leaders in Uganda formally agree to have government help churches collect tithe from a christian’s monthly salary, the country’s legislative body is open to the suggestion.
During an interview with a local broadcaster on Friday, Ms Nakiwala discarded claims that government received a proposal to deduct church tithe from the salaries of believers, adding that this can only happen after a formal discussion within clergymen, the Christian fraternity and other related stake holders.
“The government is not aware as of now – it is something that was mentioned by one of the religious leaders. Our door is open, because the government module is very clear, when there is something that someone wants to bring up to government, they put it in writing,” she said.
In his remarks that sparked controversy on Sunday, Kampala Archbishop Cyprian Kizito Lwanga, who was ordained as a priest in 1978, justified the proposal by asking if people were tired of “putting money in the baskets all the time.”
He explained that the bible states clearly that a tenth of what christians earn should go to the church yet they always offer church whatever they have at that time of service.
He noted that a failure by some members to tithe had impacted the Church and its ongoing projects.
“Whenever we ask for tithe, everyone gives only what they have at that time. But the Bible says a tenth of whatever you earn belongs to the church,” said Archbishop Lwanga.
“I was told Germans make agreements with their government to deduct monthly tithe from their salaries and forward it to the church and this money they use to build and renovate their churches,” he added.
Ms Nakiwala said Ugandans will be given a chance to debate the matter should it be tabled before Parliament.
“Once it goes to Parliament, the Members of parliament represent different areas, so certainly the voice of the people will be featured at that level,” she said. “There are some people who don’t want, so they will not be forced.”
“This is not a government thing. Archbishop Lwanga takes the proposal to his fellow leaders in the religious belief. When he takes it there, they own it. If they so own it, then they suggest to government. At this, the President, through committees, cabinet, and ministries will pronounce themselves,” she continued.
