The Archbishop of Kampala, Paul Ssemogerere, has condemned what he described as the growing culture of lawlessness and disrespect for human dignity in Uganda, warning that the trend is eating away at the country’s moral and social fabric. Speaking during the Platinum Jubilee celebrations of Kisubi Seminary on Saturday, Archbishop Ssemogerere said Uganda is facing a crisis where laws exist but are increasingly ignored or abused, even by those entrusted with enforcing them.
The archbishop added that growing lawlessness and disrespect for human dignity, which he described as “an evil, a sickness and a cancer that we have all failed to find a solution for,” have created widespread anxiety and fear among people across the country.
Without referring to any specific incident, the Archbishop said the increasing disregard for the rule of law has left many Ugandans living in fear and uncertainty. He urged the country to seek both moral renewal and divine intervention through prayer and fasting.
Drawing from the Bible, he compared the country’s situation to the account where the disciples failed to cast out a stubborn evil spirit until Jesus explained that “this kind can only come out by prayer and fasting.” “We need to call Jesus Christ himself,” Archbishop Ssemogerere said, urging Uganda to pray for the bad times the country is facing.
His remarks come at a time when Uganda continues to witness growing public concern over violence, mob justice, abuse of power, online harassment, and declining standards of public conduct. The Archbishop said Kisubi Seminary has, for decades, worked to shape young men into responsible citizens by instilling respect for the rule of law, discipline, and the dignity of every human person. He warned that these values are increasingly under threat.
He singled out social media as one of the areas where moral standards have sharply declined, saying many people now use digital platforms to insult, abuse, and publicly humiliate others without restraint. He noted that people no longer have any sense of shame, and they say things publicly without any hesitation, caring little whether their words and actions are hurting others or not.
According to the Archbishop, the disappearance of shame and modesty has contributed to the erosion of respect in families, communities, and public life. He called for a return to these virtues as part of rebuilding a more respectful and humane society. Addressing the seminarians, Archbishop Ssemogerere challenged them to become examples of discipline and obedience to the law, saying the fight against lawlessness must begin with institutions that form future leaders.
“Respect for laws is very key in the seminary,” he said, adding that no one should assume it is possible to live responsibly in society while disregarding the law. He also appealed to parents to continue supporting the moral and spiritual formation of their children. He urged Kisubi Seminary’s alumni, including priests, professionals, and family men, to remain ambassadors of integrity, respect, and service in their communities.
Founded in 1951, Kisubi Seminary has trained generations of Catholic priests and lay leaders who have gone on to serve Uganda in the Church, public service, education, business, and other sectors. The Platinum Jubilee celebrations marked 75 years of the institution’s contribution to leadership formation-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
