The Archbishop of Kampala living Paul Ssemogerere has condemned rising cases of murder, corruption, and moral decline in Uganda.
Presiding over Easter Mass at Lubaga Cathedral, the Archbishop warned that many Ugandans are living without regard for accountability before God.
“We should live our lives knowing that one day we shall stand before God and be judged, yet atrocities are on the increase,” he said.
He pointed to recent killings, including the brutal murder of children at a Ggaba daycare centre, describing them as deeply disturbing.
“We lost children in Ggaba who were killed mercilessly. The innocent children did not know they were dying. You may find that the killer showed them the knife, and they couldn’t fight back because they expected protection. Such acts must stop,” he added.
Archbishop Ssemogerere also condemned corruption, warning of dire consequences for those who fail to repent.
“Let us avoid acts that contradict our faith and culture. Corruption has become normal, and we have over-sung about it. I don’t know the prayer that will help us against corruption, but remember Judas Iscariot, who took corruption to betray Jesus and later hanged himself,” he said.
“I warn public sinners: you will face death if you do not abandon corruption.”
He further decried the broader moral breakdown in society, citing behaviors such as womanizing, greed, deceit, and abuse on social media.
“Acts of womanizing, killing, greed, wickedness, deceit, and disrespect are on the rise. We have started normalizing evil,” he noted.
The Archbishop also criticized emerging social trends that demean human dignity.
“No one is ugly because God did not create a single useless person,” he said.
Touching on the country’s political climate, particularly following the recently concluded elections, Archbishop Ssemogerere called for restraint, forgiveness, and respect for the rule of law.
“Robbery that leads to killing one another, and the increased violence we recently saw during the elections—those who lost must move on and forgive one another,” he urged.
He also called on authorities to uphold justice and human rights.
“Let us respect the Constitution, release prisoners who have no case to answer, and ensure that those believed to have committed crimes are properly tried,” he said.
The Archbishop reminded Christians of the true meaning of Easter — forgiveness and renewal.
“Easter reminds us to forgive one another and bury all bad acts because our Lord is the most forgiving,” he said.
The mass was attended by several government officials, including State Minister for Higher Education John Chrysostom Muyingo, and the Katikkiro of Buganda, Charles Peter Mayiga.
