Kampala – The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda Dr. Stephen Kazimba Mugalu has issued a strong warning against those promoting homosexuality in Uganda.
He sounded the warning while delivering his Christmas message at his Palace Gardens in Namirembe on Tuesday morning.
Archbishop Kazimba who has consistently spoken against homosexuality noted that there are bad people trying to attract children into homosexuality by promising them money and sponsorship urging children to report such people to their head teachers and to parents.
He also urged the government to set up a simple system whereby children can report these people to the relevant authorities who can investigate and take appropriate action.
“To those who are recruiting children into homosexuality, I want to sound a very strong warning to you. These are not my words but the words of Jesus: “If anyone causes one of these little ones. ..to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. (Matthew 18:6).” Cautioned Archbishop Kazimba.
He retariated church of Uganda stand on homosexuality noting the church shall continue to emphasise heterosexual marriages as the lifelong, exclusive bond between one man and one woman for procreation as reflected in the Bible.
“I want to make it very clear that the Church of Uganda will always uphold the Bible’s teaching that marriage is between one man and one woman, and that is the God-ordained context for sexual relationships. We don’t support fornication; we don ‘t support adultery; and, we don’t support homosexuality,” said Kazimba
He lambasted the Church of England for drifting away from the faith of Anglicanism by supporting homesexuality.
“There are rumors that the Church of England will soon vote to provide some form of blessings for homosexual relationships – We are grateful for the Church of England who gave us the Gospel of Jesus Christ. But, we will never follow you in supporting homosexuality. You may be the “Mother Church,” but let’s be clear that such a decision will mean you have abandoned the very faith of Anglicanism you so generously shared around the world. You may still be the Church of England, but you will no longer be Anglican, because Anglicans uphold the Bible.
He noted this is the reason the Church of Uganda is passionate about the Gafcon fellowship of Global Anglicans and also supports the 4th Gafcon Conference in Kigali in April 2023.
Homosexuality is illegal under the Penal Code Act and it carries a possible seven-year sentence for those caught in the same sex relations. Nearly a decade ago, the Ugandan Church, along with others in Africa, broke its ties with Anglicans in North America over the issue of gay ordinations and same-sex blessings.
Meanwhile, Dr. Kazimba appealed to parents to encourage their boy children to grow up into God-fearing men who respect their mothers, grandmothers, sisters, and all people.
“Let’s raise a new generation of boys who honour and respect the women in their families so we can put an end to the majority of gender-based violence in this country,” he said
The Archbishop announced that the Church of Uganda theme for 2023 is “United for service and growth” which is taken from Ephesians 4:11-16.
