The Chairman of the Uganda Episcopal Conference, Bishop Anthony Zziwa, has made a fervent call for opposition politicians to extend an apology to the Inter-Religious Council. This appeal follows a contentious incident involving accusations of the council’s absence from a prayer event organized by the National Unity Platform (NUP) in Kampala on Wednesday.
Allegations surfaced when certain opposition figures asserted that despite invitations extended to clergy members, none had graced the event. These claims sparked controversy, insinuating that the Inter-Religious Council had purposefully disregarded the NUP’s gathering.
However, Bishop Anthony Zziwa, concurrently serving as the Bishop of Kiyinda-Mityana Diocese, stepped forward to clarify the situation. He unequivocally stated that the Inter-Religious Council had not received any invitation from the opposition party members regarding the prayer event in question.
“The claims made by certain opposition politicians regarding the absence of clergy members at the event are unfounded. The Inter-Religious Council did not receive any formal invitation from the National Unity Platform for the said prayer event,” Bishop Zziwa affirmed in a statement addressing the controversy.
The Chairman of the Uganda Episcopal Conference emphasized the importance of factual representation and urged political entities to maintain transparency in their communications with religious institutions. “It’s crucial for all parties involved in such engagements to ensure accurate communication channels to avoid misunderstandings,” he added.
This development highlights the significance of clear and direct communication between political entities and religious organizations. The call for an apology serves as a reminder of the need for responsible and accurate dissemination of information in fostering harmony between different spheres of society.
As of now, there has been no formal response from the implicated opposition politicians regarding the call for an apology to the Inter-Religious Council. However, Bishop Zziwa’s clarification aims to dispel any misconceptions surrounding the council’s alleged absence from the NUP-organized prayer event.