Open letter to President Yoweri Museveni: On intersection of religion and politics

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OPINION

By Dr Okoth Josue

Your Excellency,

Please refer to your speech of June 3, 2025, during Uganda Martyrs’ Day celebrations.

Religion and politics, though distinct in their domains, both serve a common purpose—the holistic development of humanity. Their convergence is inevitable when the goal is to foster a just, moral, and compassionate society.

While the state is tasked with governance and upholding civil order, religion has the right—and indeed the duty—to offer moral guidance on temporal issues, especially where faith or natural law is at stake.

Take, for instance, the matter of abortion. When the state endorses or permits the termination of innocent, unborn human life, religious institutions cannot remain silent. To do so would be a failure in their divine calling to protect the vulnerable and to uphold the sanctity of life.

The principle of separating Church and State should not be misunderstood to mean that people of faith ought to disengage from public affairs. Rather, a functional democracy must guarantee religious freedom and protect faith-based institutions in their right to contribute meaningfully to public discourse and the moral development of society.

Human beings are composed of both body and soul; any effective governance must recognise and address this dual nature. The growing moral decay in Uganda—evident in rampant corruption, sexual abuse, early marriages, abortion, and violence—is a reflection of a deep spiritual crisis. In our context, the lack of integration between spiritual values and governance could well be a contributing factor to this decline.

Research increasingly shows that religious beliefs influence behaviour. What the mind embraces, the body often acts upon. A person who believes in a single, sovereign God is more likely to live in obedience to divine laws. Thus, promoting spiritual education is not merely a religious agenda—it is a social imperative.

Mr President, in your previous addresses, you referenced Mark 12:17: “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” This passage, often misquoted or misunderstood, was Jesus’ strategic response to a political and religious trap. It underscores the necessity of fulfilling both civic responsibilities (like paying taxes) and spiritual obligations. The message was not about separating God from governance, but about recognising the legitimacy of both domains.

Many of the crimes plaguing Uganda originate not from legal ignorance but from spiritual emptiness. These are not just criminal acts—they are symptoms of a broken moral compass. Law enforcement alone cannot fix what is fundamentally a matter of the heart. True rehabilitation and societal transformation require more than punishment; they demand spiritual renewal.

Punitive measures, while sometimes necessary, often lead to resentment and a cycle of revenge. Religion, by contrast, teaches forgiveness, transformation, and accountability to a higher authority. It instils values like honesty, humility, gratitude, and compassion—qualities essential for any stable society.

Moreover, moral and spiritual education are not interchangeable. While patriotism—manifested in movements like scouting or civic service—is commendable, it cannot replace the transformative power of faith. Patriotism fosters love for country; religion fosters love for God and neighbour. One without the other is incomplete. Nations with strong spiritual foundations tend to build stronger, more ethical societies.

Therefore, Mr President, religion and politics should not be viewed as adversaries but as complementary partners in national development. Together, they can cultivate citizens who are not only law-abiding but also morally grounded and spiritually awakened.

Dr Okoth is a concerned citizen and Christian

Email: okothjosue@yahoo.com