The Bishop of Bukedi Diocese, Rt. Rev. George Egesa has urged Members of Parliament to lead with integrity, promote justice and serve vulnerable Ugandans.
Delivering a sermon during the 12th Parliament’s inaugural inter-religious thanksgiving service, Rev. Egesa said that Parliament ought to make its annual thanksgiving service a moment of honest national reflection.
“A person who does not reflect can travel a long distance and still land at the wrong destination,” Egesa said.
The service was hosted by Speaker, Jacob Oboth on Friday, 23 October 2026.
According to Egesa, the reflections should translate into actions, challenging leaders to practice what they preach.
“Uganda has no shortage of speeches, policies, promises or declarations, the challenge is translating them into action,” said Egesa.
He criticised corruption, citing recent media reports highlighting irregular recruitments at Parliament, calling for action against such corrupt tendencies.
Speaker, Oboth reminded the lawmakers that their responsibility to the citizenry goes beyond holding office.
“The people of Uganda have entrusted us with their future. We honor that trust through the decisions we make, the standards we uphold, and our commitment to the public good,” Oboth said.
He pointed out that the thanksgiving service was both an acknowledgement of God’s grace and a renewal of Parliament’s duty to respond to citizens’ needs.
“As the 12th Parliament, we recognise God in the progress we have made. We know that we would not be where we are today without God’s grace. Let us put our hands in gratitude, to thank God almighty for the opportunity he has given us,” said Oboth.
He added, “Every day we are at crossroads. Ugandans expect quality education, access to healthcare, employment and good use of public resources. These priorities should remain at the centre of our hearts.”
The Deputy Speaker, Thomas Tayebwa, commended Oboth for fulfilling his promise to anchor Parliament in God.
Tayebwa also joined Bishop Egesa in criticising corruption, wherein he called for a broader response to corruption, describing it as a moral problem throughout society.
“Corruption has been made to look like a political issue; politicians are called corrupt, but corruption is a moral issue,” he said.
The Chairperson of the Parliamentary Seventh-Day Adventist (SDA) Chaplaincy, Hon. James Waluswaka, (NRM, Bunyole West County) acknowledged the purpose of the thanksgiving service-to unite all faiths.
“It is a time to dedicate the work of Parliament to God and to affirm our unity across faith,” he said.
Waluswaka noted that the thanksgiving service is a spiritual foundation for Parliament and he applauded Oboth for recognising the SDA faith by granting the congregants a chaplaincy.
The Imam of Mawanga Mosque in Munyonyo, Iddi Kasozi called for responsible leadership that promotes peace, reconciliation and security.
“Peace is tranquility and a state of order that blossoms naturally and not by force,” he said.
Kasozi warned that fear and intimidation cannot produce lasting harmony.
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