The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Dr Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu, has warned public officials against acquiring wealth through dishonest means, saying integrity and a good reputation are more valuable than material riches.
Kaziimba made the remarks while praying for Soroti district and city local government officials at Soroti District headquarters, where he urged leaders to serve diligently, avoid corruption and protect their reputations. He cautioned officials against fighting one another over disagreements and losses, reminding them that leadership requires patience, cooperation and a commitment to duty.
“Never fight each other because you have lost; there is time for everything,” Kaziimba said. He also warned officials against taking money they had not worked for, saying wealth obtained dishonestly was unlikely to last. “Money is a prostitute; it cannot stay in one place. Wealth acquired dishonestly will not last,” he said.
Kaziimba observed that some people who had accumulated wealth eventually became poor because their riches had been obtained through theft. Quoting Proverbs 22:1, which emphasises that a good name is more desirable than great riches, the Archbishop urged the officials to prioritise integrity over material possessions.
He reminded them that people come into the world with nothing and leave with nothing, but the reputations they build through their actions remain important. “You come here with nothing, but you go with a name,” he said. Kaziimba urged the leaders to serve honestly and retire with their reputations intact, saying their legacy should be defined by their service to the public rather than their wealth or social standing.
Soroti District LC5 Chairperson Bob Owiny said he had taken the Archbishop’s message to heart, particularly the call for leaders to avoid corruption, shoddy work and disrespect for the people they serve. Owiny said public officials needed to protect their reputations, work together and ensure that government resources translated into better services for residents.
“As a chairman, I must keep my name. I must work with others to ensure that they serve the people,” Owiny said. He acknowledged that corruption and abuse of office remained challenges that required deliberate action, pledging to fight the vices and ensure residents received services diligently.
Owiny said leaders had a duty to serve the public because taxpayers contribute the resources used to finance government programmes and services. “Service to man is service to God and service to humanity,” he added. The district chairperson also revealed plans to establish an Anglican community at the district headquarters, with a chaplain to provide spiritual guidance to political leaders and civil servants.
He appealed to the Bishop of Soroti Diocese, the Rev. Kosea Odongo, to support the initiative. Owiny further said the district was considering establishing a savings group for political leaders and civil servants to improve their livelihoods, rather than relying solely on commercial banks, which he said did not always understand the interests of their clients. After praying for Soroti City and district local government officials, Kaziimba proceeded to commission the Kingdom Savings Group at the medical centre before travelling to Amuria District for other engagements-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
