‘Uganda is in desperate need of reconciliation.’

As the county recovers from last year’s general elections, its leaders have been asked to reconcile.

Can John Awodi, the Diocesan Secretary of Kampala Diocese, spoke at the All Saints Nakasero New Year prayers, calling for peaceful dispute resolution and tolerance. He believes there will come a day when Uganda’s political landscape would improve.

Last year’s general elections were marred by violent incidents in which several people died and others were seriously injured.

Awodi also claims that campaigning should not be violent, recalling the deaths of hundreds of Ugandans in and around Kampala in November of last year. He believes Ugandan authorities should take a page from Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, who after a tumultuous election season asked for forgiveness and made a reconciliatory call to his competitor Raila Odinga.

The Church of Uganda has also designated 2022 as a year of prayer to aid the country’s recovery from the Covid 19 pandemic and the tumultuous electoral process that lasted two years. The theme for this year is “Hope Beyond Affliction.”

According to Canon Awodi, unless Ugandans are assisted in forgetting and overcoming the events of the past, the consequences will become more severe, leading to despair and destruction. He used the example of violent acts like suicide, such as when parents slaughter their entire family and then commit suicide.

He stated that killing, torture, and jail will not be enough to fix the country’s problems.

Awodi also bemoaned the young females who have become pregnant as a result of the school closures.

The Church of Uganda, according to Awodi, will continue to raise funds to invest in the revitalization of their education and health services, including skilling programs and the redevelopment of learning and health institutions.

The KIDO Initiative, or Kingdom Development Organ, which was started in 2019, will continue to raise funds.