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_WORLD WATCH______________________________
______________________UGANDA____________________
A moral choice
Prelate asks voters to consider character
Cardinal Emmanuel Wamala, the leader of the Catholic Church in Uganda, has announced that the Church will not back any candidate in the March 6 presidential elections. The cardinal nevertheless advised Ugandans to vote for a candidate with a high moral character and record, who is God-fearing and prepared to listen and work with others. He said that although some candidates—including the incumbent President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni—had met with him to seek support, the Catholic hierarchy would remain impartial.
“The Catholic Church has no official position on any candidate. The guidelines are for Ugandans to see which candidate answers the needs of the common people,” the prelate said in a 13-page pastoral letter. The letter further urged Ugandans to vote for a person who is “forthright, unselfish, firm, and objective and committed to promoting the common good.”
The cardinal said Ugandans needed a man of exemplary leadership in society and general economic empowerment of the community right from the family unit. He said Ugandans should look for a government committed to the improvement of the quality of life through “equal opportunities and through fair distribution of national wealth.”
“Ugandans expect a government which will work toward establishing real and lasting peace both within and outside the country’s borders,” the cardinal said. He urged Ugandans to reject all forms of electoral manipulation and bribery.
Cardinal Wamala added: “We deserve leaders who will not condone immorality such as corruption, abortion, homosexuality, or any other forms of behavior which are contrary and offensive to God’s law and our own culture.”