The head of Anglican Church of Uganda, Rt Rev Stanley Ntagali has lashed at Speaker Rebecca Kadaga for visiting an ancestral shrine where she was seen kneeling before a cave and worshipping spirits.
“We value our ancestors because we are connected to them by the relationship we have. But, we must always trust only in God. We no longer need to go through the spirits of the dead because Jesus is our hope and protector. He alone is the way, the truth and the life, as Jesus says in John 14:6,” said Ntagali in his statement released Wednesday night.
Ntagali observed that like many Ugandans, Christians in the Church of Uganda prayed for Hon. Rebecca Kadaga in her re-election campaign for MP and also for her election as Speaker of Parliament.
He said the country rejoiced when the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ opened both doors for her to serve the people of Uganda again.
“Like many, we were, therefore, confused by the reports of her visiting her ancestral shrine to give thanks for her re-election,” added the head of the Anglican Church.
“The Church of Uganda condemns syncretism and urges her Bishops and clergy to use this opportunity to proclaim the sufficiency of Christ crucified to meet all our needs, and to work pastorally with Christians to apply this glorious truth practically in their lives.”
Religious syncretism exhibits blending of two or more religious belief systems into a new system, or the incorporation into a religious tradition of beliefs from unrelated traditions.
Kadaga defended her shrine visit, saying she intended to celebrate with her ancestors her victory in the race for Speaker of Parliament.
The Speaker, who was facing a stiff challenge from her Deputy Jacob Oulanya, had president Museveni intervene thus allowing her sail through.
The Speaker told journalists after visiting the shrine in Busoga last weekend: “Who doesn’t have roots? Don’t you have ancestors?”
The development has divided public opinion with vocal social critics including Maria Matembe condemning Kadaga’s trip to the shrine.
Ntagali said as Uganda approaches the commemoration of the Ugandan Martyrs on 3rd June, “we are challenged by the faithfulness, commitment, and witness of these youth. Their willingness to renounce the “world, the flesh, and the devil” and to joyfully embrace the crucified and risen Lord Jesus Christ, even unto death, is a model for how we should all understand living a life with a single-minded focus on Jesus as the only Saviour and only Lord. There is a cost to discipleship and a great reward in following Christ. “