KAMPALA, Uganda— The Catholic bishops in Uganda, under their umbrella body, the Uganda Episcopal Conference (UEC) have issued a strongly worded pastoral letter, their 27th, expressing deep concern over a perceived decline in moral and spiritual values, coupled with persistent issues of homicide, corruption, and rights abuses across the country.
In the letter, the bishops recall the first pastoral letter, "Shaping Our National Destiny," issued in 1962, which laid out values for the newly independent Uganda, including the common good, human dignity, justice, and democratic governance. Their previous letter, "Break the Yoke" (September 2022), addressed the issue of human trafficking.
The latest letter, released during the Lenten season and signed by the Chairman of the Uganda Episcopal Conference, Rt Rev Joseph Antony Zziwa, along with other leading bishops, calls for urgent reflection and action to address these critical challenges.
The bishops' message, titled "The Truth will set you free" (Jn. 8:31-32), points to a growing "moral and spiritual crisis" that they believe underpins a range of societal ills.
They cite alarming statistics on poverty, youth unemployment, and alcohol abuse, ranking Uganda as having the highest alcohol consumption rate in Africa, according to a 2024 World Health Organization report.
Of particular concern is the disregard for the sanctity of life, evidenced by frequent reports of domestic violence leading to murder, violence against children, and mob justice. The bishops unequivocally condemned abortion, reiterating the Church's teaching on the absolute protection of human life from conception.
The pastoral letter also tackles the pervasive issue of corruption, which the bishops say deprives citizens of essential services and exacerbates inequality. They cite Transparency International's 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index, ranking Uganda poorly, and note the staggering annual loss of nearly 44% of domestic revenue to graft. The bishops call for stronger protections for anti-corruption activists, independence for anti-graft agencies, and sustained political will to prosecute high-profile cases.
The bishops raise alarm over reports of increasing political prisoners and detainees, accusing security agencies of arresting, detaining, torturing, and abducting dissenting voices without due process. This, they assert, reflects a "troubling pattern" in Ugandan politics.
While acknowledging some progress since independence and the efforts of the government on various fronts, the bishops question whether the nation is still adhering to the foundational values envisioned by their predecessors. They urge both citizens and leaders to take individual and collective responsibility for the current state of affairs.
Other bishops who signed the letter include Most Rev. Raphael p’Mony Wokorach, MCCJ (Archbishop of Gulu), Most Rev. Paul Ssemogerere (Archbishop of Kampala), Most Rev. Lambert Bainomugisha (Archbishop of Mbarara), Most Rev. Emmanuel Obbo, AJ (Archbishop of Tororo), and numerous other bishops from dioceses across Uganda.
Emeritus Archbishops and Bishops also added their names in support of the pastoral message.
