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BY RICHARD DRASIMAKU
ARUA: TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2025
Rt Rev Charles Collins Andaku, the bishop of Madi and West Nile diocese has appealed for peaceful and violence free elections as Christians prepare for the festive Christmas period.
“This year’s Christmas has come at a time of hot competitive campaigns and elections which are on our way. People are tense and there is a lot of anxiety on who is going to win and who is going to lose,” said Rt Rev Andaku.
The bishop noted that many competitors are in the field looking for votes and many people have sympathized and are moving with them.
He said this has often come with tensions that has created worry in the people about the aftermath of the polls. “Will there be peace or will there be chaos?” he asked.
Rt Rev Andaku was delivering a Christmas and New Year message during a press briefing at the diocesan headquarters in Mvara, Arua city.
He called on the people to turn to Christ in the midst of the economic and political challenges as the 2025 gives way to 2026.
“God steps into our fears to grantee peace whether the elections are peaceful or not. God is saying I’m right beside you during these campaigns, the elections, your marital challenges, and financial difficulties,” he added.
The bishop was flanked by Godfrey Nasser, the diocesan secretary who cautioned churches against holding fundraisings during the campaign period so that politicians do not take advantage of them.
Nasser clarified that the church encourages every Christian to participate in the elections and to exercise their civic rights.
“Go and vote and those who feel they are capable can go into elective politics,” he said, adding that those who felt they can contest have shown their interest.
However Nasser advised that Christians not to indulge in violence, asserting that they are people from same family, region and environment.
“Our relationships will not end after elections, let us maintain peace and love throughout the election period,” he maintained.
Uganda is currently holding campaigns for the general elections that will begin with the presidential and parliamentary polls on January 15, 2026.
Bishop Andaku explained that amidst the election tension, Christmas brings the good news of hope and peace.
He said the message of Christmas should speak to the people during this difficult moment.
“Some may be suffering from economic hardship of poverty because you don’t money to buy anything to celebrate. The expression of joy, love is how we can celebrate Christmas,” he added.
Rt Rev Andaku noted that it is unfortunate to see Christmas celebration has grown increasingly secular with expensive merry making, carols with new dimension, food and drinks and unhealthy competition.
He said the loss of true meaning of Christmas has led to untold suffering, divorce, deaths due to murder, defilements, gender based violence, theft and robbery, and poverty due to reckless spending.
There also is high rate of teenage pregnancies and defilement of girls during festivities, he observed.
The bishop reiterated that Christmas is a time of worship in churches and in homes to pray and sing praises as God’s coming in our midst is a big boost into our loneliness.
He made reference to Isaiah 9:2 that says the people walking in darkness have seen light and explained that darkness here refers to fear confusion sadness, loneliness and above all sin and light means hope joy peace and salvation.
Rt Rev Andaku commented that Isaiah brings the name of this child wonderful counsellor and therefore called on the people to seek counsel from Jesus Christ, not witches and witch doctors.
From Mathew1:23 that calls Jesus Emmanuel (God is with us), Rt Rev Andaku said this name is not a slogan but it is the name above all names that manifests in joy, comfort, peace and light to the people.
“Joy of Christmas is to everybody, not selective. Psalm 96 teaches how heaven expects us to respond to the birth of a savior by singing a new song. Do you have a new song or you are singing the old song of new dress, new food etc?” Rt Rev Andaku challenged Christians.
The bishop told the people to mark cost effective celebrations and celebrate with worship as Psalm 96 suggests.
He announced a maiden Conference for men in January 23rd to 24th because there have been complaints from men that church programs have been coned towards women and children.
Rt Rev Andaku Appeal to men of all sectors to come and participate in this conference.
He reported that he confirmed 23 clergy (three priest and 20 deacons) at Emmanuel cathedral and last Saturday 16 more ordinations were held in Koboko giving a total 39 ordinations.
“At secretariat we are not jacking we are working and we are not like other churches where someone can just walk in and say he or she is a pastor!” Andaku said.
He also said a total of 54 lay readers or catechists will be commissioned in January for deployment in different parts of the diocese.
Bishop Andaku emphasized that family is the core foundation of the church and in this area, he thanked the Christians for embracing weddings.
The bishop said he particularly presided over 61 weddings for couples in a single mass wedding and another 18 independent ones totaling 79. This is in addition to those conducted by other church ministers.
He said this means an increase in the number of fathers’ union and mothers’ union membership. The diocese also confirmed 5,410 Christians into Anglican faith and out of these 369 were received from other faiths, 5602 gave their lives to Christ as (born again) members of the revival movement.
The confirmation candidate gave sh5.7m for jubilee office block construction and another sh5.7m for greening the diocese through tree planting.
The diocese’s compassion project targeting refugees is been supported by the charity organization, the world Renewal.
Bishop Andaku thanked the government for freedom of worship and peace and good governance that has he said has enabled them to carry all these church activities.
