The Bishop of Soroti Catholic Diocese, His Lordship Rt. Rev. Dr. Joseph Eciru Oliach, has called on Christians across the Teso Sub-region to be vigilant and reject political leaders who promote practices that contradict the teachings of the Catholic Church.
Speaking with passion and clarity during the burial ceremony of the late Francis Abwot, the father of Rev. Fr. Joseph Onyait, in Ngora Town Council, Bishop Eciru emphasized the need for Christians to stand firm in their faith and not be swayed by political figures whose actions erode the moral fabric of society.
Bishop Eciru specifically criticized the increasingly common practice of Harambee-style collections during funerals, which he said have become a breeding ground for exploitation and a deviation from the solemnity that should characterize Christian burials.
He warned that these open-money contributions, often turned into political showcases, compromise the spiritual integrity of Christian gatherings.
“As a Church, we are doing our best to guide the faithful according to Christian values and doctrine. But unfortunately, there are some politicians who are misleading Christians through practices that go against the Church’s teachings,” Bishop Eciru stated. “When such politicians come to you, just tell them they have already failed.”
His remarks come at a time when political mobilization is gaining momentum ahead of the 2026 general elections, with many leaders increasingly using community gatherings, including burials, as platforms for political influence and personal branding.
Bishop Eciru’s strong stance was a direct message to both Christians and political leaders, urging the faithful not to compromise their spiritual beliefs in exchange for handouts or empty promises.
He expressed concern that political players have found ways to exploit moments of grief to gain popularity by donating money during burials, a practice he sees as contrary to genuine Christian compassion and humility.
Beyond Harambe, Bishop Eciru also raised alarm over the disturbing trend of politicians using alcohol and material gifts to bribe and manipulate the youth.
He warned that this growing vice threatens to derail the moral compass of the young generation and undermines their capacity to make informed decisions in political processes.
“It is disheartening to see young people being bribed with alcohol and small tokens so that their votes can be bought,” he lamented. “This is not leadership. It is manipulation. And as Christians, we must rise against it.”
The bishop’s remarks resonated with many mourners and community members in attendance, who acknowledged the increasingly blurred lines between religious life and political interference.
Several local leaders who attended the burial, including priests and catechists, echoed the Bishop’s message and urged the community to embrace the Church’s guidance in their political choices.
Bishop Eciru’s statement also serves as a broader reflection on the role of the Church in shaping ethical political behavior, particularly in rural regions like Teso, where the Church remains a trusted voice and a moral authority.
His call for a return to discipline and values is likely to spark conversation among Christians and clergy alike as they prepare for the upcoming political season.
Many now see the bishop’s warning as a clarion call for a renewed focus on integrity and spiritual discernment in civic life.
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With all due respect to Bishop, I support him on this but I want to disagree with him on the issue of Harambe meant to collect support to cater for burial expenses which if removed can make a bereaved family to even sell land to cover burial costs, and I wish if the Bishop would quote any verse in the bible against it, I admit others do it with bad intentions but the practice itself isn’t bad because at the end of the day money is collected to support the family. Infact these directive Bishop has given to catechist on this matter is causing problems to them among the community because what is the essence of burying someone at 2pm and leave a very big debt to the family by not allowing the mourners to make there condolence contributions which in some areas is called Harambe.