The Deputy Government Spokesperson, Col (Rtd) Shaban Bantariza has asked the clergy to stop castigating government and Parliament for the recently passed constitutional amendments which included the removal of Presidential age limits.
Bantariza challenged religious leaders particularly those in the Catholic faith to stop leading their flock to believe that the amendments will have an unprecedented negative impact.
As Christians celebrated Christmas day in church on Monday, several religious leaders including Archbishop of Kampala Catholic Diocese, Kizito Lwanga said the decision by Parliament to remove the age limits was not in good faith. Some described it as a selfish move and one that is likely to disintegrate Ugandans.
Following the passing of the contentious Bill, other religious leaders including the Orthodox Archbishop, Jonah Lwanga and the Anglican Archbishop, Stanley Ntagali also condemned the constitutional amendments.
But Shaban Bantariza has disregarded this opinion saying that while the amendments may bring challenges, there will be opportunities too.
“Leaders should and must not be part of the usual ‘fear of the unknown’, because the unknown always presents us with both opportunities and challenges, which leadership worth it’s name and salt, must face squarely,” Bantariza wrote in a Facebook post on Christmas day.
He alluded to the amendments made by the Vatican Council in 1968 when the Catholic church changed prayer and practice of liturgy from Latin to African languages. According to him, these changes ushered in a situation that shocked many Catholics who considered Latin as the only holy language to pray to God.
“The fundamental amendments, left many Catholics, both clergy and flock in surprise and shock, and some thought there was something wrong with Pope John XXIII who caused those amendments,” Bantariza wrote.
“I ask, did the sky come down? Are we not happier today worshiping in the languages, using instruments that appeal to our emotional spirituality? So, the same happens to constitutional amendments, including the latest,” he said.