The Bishop of the Diocese of Kigezi, Rt. Rev. Gaddie Akanjuna has cautioned Christians against allowing poverty, disease, greed, and oppression to weaken their faith in God. Speaking on Wednesday at the diocesan headquarters at St. Peter’s Cathedral, Rugarama in Kabale District, during his Uganda Martyrs Day message, Bishop Akanjuna said many believers today face challenges that can tempt them to abandon their Christian values and trust in God.
The bishop did not travel to Namugongo for the national Uganda Martyrs Day celebrations following the suspension of the event due to the ongoing Ebola outbreak in Uganda and neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo. Instead, he directed church leaders across Kigezi Diocese to conduct prayers in three sessions—morning, midday, and evening—to prevent overcrowding and ensure compliance with public health guidelines.
Reflecting on the sacrifice of the Uganda Martyrs, Akanjuna noted that the martyrs were given the option of renouncing Christianity to save their lives but chose death rather than abandoning their faith.
He said that, unlike the martyrs, some Christians today are turning away from God because of poverty and other hardships. According to the bishop, financial struggles can lead some believers to feel abandoned by God and seek worldly solutions in pursuit of wealth.
He added that sickness and oppression can similarly cause people to lose faith, believing that God only favors those who are healthy and prosperous. Akanjuna further warned that poverty-driven desperation can push some individuals into theft and other immoral acts.
He also linked rising corruption in society to an excessive desire for wealth. Without naming any individual, the bishop expressed concern about reports of a Christian in Uganda allegedly found with vast sums of money, resources he said could fund an entire district budget.
He questioned how such wealth could be accumulated while critical sectors such as health and education continue to struggle with inadequate funding. The bishop also cited increasing cases of murder, violence, and selfishness as signs that many people have drifted away from Christian values and devotion to God. He urged believers to remain steadfast in their faith and reject anything that distracts them from serving God.
Akanjuna encouraged both clergy and Christians to continue observing health guidelines beyond the Uganda Martyrs Day commemorations to help prevent the spread of Ebola and other infectious diseases-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
