“I don’t completely blame Ntagali because that is his mandated role. I only caution him to avoid being used by my political opponents and enemies,” says Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga to the Church of Uganda Archbishop Stanley Ntagali over her recent visit to a shrine at Nhendha hill in Iganga district.
Speaker Rebecca Kadaga visited her home village in Kamuli district to offer thanks to her ancestors after she was declared speaker of the 10 parliament. This move raised controversy at societal, religious and political level of the country.
Several commentators, members of parliament and religious leaders condemned the act urging that the longest serving legislator, leader at All saints’ Cathedral and Kamuli district women representative should have thought twice before climbing Nhendha hill.
In a statement released on May 26, 2016, Archbishop Stanley Ntagali said: “We value our ancestors because we are connected to them. But, we must always trust only in God. We no longer need to go through the spirits of the dead because Jesus is our hope and protector.”
“The Church of Uganda condemns syncretism and urges her bishops and clergy to use this opportunity to proclaim the sufficiency of Christ crucified to meet all our needs, and to work pastorally with Christians to apply this glorious truth practically in their lives,” he added.
In an interview published by the The Observer on Monday, it is noted that Speaker Kadaga perceives the Archbishop’s statement more as a political attack than pastoral counsel.
“I was shocked with the archbishop’s negative criticism against me over my visit to a shrine because most of my fellow leaders who have been doing the same have not been publicly criticized. If Ntagali chooses to follow this line of criticism, he should do the same to others so that he is not depicted as being political,” Kadaga said.
It should be remembered that Mr Chris Obore, Director, Communication and Public affairs at Parliament of Uganda made a similar move to critic the most high-profile, Anglican Archbishop saying that the he (the Archbishop) should have had a word with the Speaker of Parliament before coming out with a public condemnation.
“I am very sure Ntagali has an origin; that is the very reason he is called Ntagali. His Majesty Kabaka Ronald Mutebi II has an origin and he was enthroned from Naggalabi, not from church yet he also goes to church, so is President Museveni who is married to a born again but once in while he is seen jumping dead animals here and in Sudan. I’m waiting for a day Ntagali will criticize such people.” She added
Speaker Kadaga says that she highly believes that her religious boss (Arch Ntagali) has an invisible hand using him in the name of a prominent female politician in Busoga to fight her.
“I will, when forced in future, to reveal her name and what damage she has tried to do to me politically for some time. It is only those who are able to read between the lines that can identify her because she is easily identifiable,” she told The Observer.
