Leaders urge clergy to stay neutral ahead of 2026 elections
“Clergy should speak out against actions like tearing posters because people listen to them,” Bolingo added.
Zombo: As tensions rise ahead of the January 2026 general elections, political leaders in Zombo District are calling on members of the clergy to avoid taking sides in politics.
The appeal comes shortly after the nomination of most parliamentary candidates, with official campaigns set to begin on Monday, November 10.
Independent Okoro County candidate Innocent Godfred Onega urged religious leaders to focus on educating their followers about responsible voting and choosing good leaders through fair and peaceful elections.
Speaking during a school mass at Paidha Secondary School in Paidha Town Council, which was led by Rt. Rev. Bishop Constantine Rupiny of the Nebbi Catholic Diocese, Onega addressed priests, students, and community leaders.
“We ask our priests to remain neutral during this tense political season,” Onega said. “We appeal that you don’t directly rally support for your chosen candidates. You are like our parents who support all their children equally.”
The remarks come amid growing reports that some clergy have openly supported certain political candidates within their congregations.
Critics note that religion and politics have become increasingly intertwined, partly due to large donations from politicians to financially struggling churches.
Francis Bolingo, leader of the opposition group in Zombo and district councilor for Athuma Sub-County, echoed Onega’s message.
“Religious leaders should treat everyone fairly in this sensitive time,” he said. “Taking sides could cause divisions.”
Religious leaders have long played important roles in peacebuilding, promoting human rights, and fostering community unity and development. However, concerns about their involvement in partisan politics have surfaced repeatedly.
Similar sentiments were raised during a November 4 meeting at the Paidha Cultural Center, where candidates and Electoral Commission officials met to discuss campaign guidelines and called for fairness and restraint.
Emmanuel Ogwang, the Zombo District Returning Officer, declined to comment in detail on allegations of clergy involvement in local politics but reaffirmed the EC’s commitment to maintaining a fair and peaceful election environment.
Nationwide, increasing concerns about religious leaders’ involvement in partisan politics have prompted several top clerics to speak out.
In September 2025, Archbishop Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu of the Church of Uganda urged church workers to maintain integrity and neutrality, reminding them that their primary mission is spiritual service, not political activism.
Citing 2 Corinthians 10:3–4, some church leaders argue that the clergy’s main role is to spread faith and moral values, not to influence political outcomes.
An anonymous cleric in Paidha echoed this sentiment:
“Even Jesus didn’t seek political change. We can preach peace and human rights instead.”
Zombo’s political climate has become increasingly tense following the NRM party’s July 2025 primaries, where some supporters claimed the results did not reflect their choices. The fallout has seen many shift allegiance to independent candidates, intensifying rivalry between independents and NRM flagbearers.
Incidents such as campaign poster vandalism, especially targeting independent candidates, have further fueled frustration among voters.
“Clergy should speak out against actions like tearing posters because people listen to them,” Bolingo added.
The United Nations has also emphasized that while religious leaders are crucial partners in promoting peace globally, their involvement must respect human rights and remain nonpartisan.
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