“Dictators thrive by instilling fear in the population, patronising and co-opting the religious and cultural leaders and indoctrinating youth.”
I must thank Jean-Baptiste Mberabahizi for posting the above statement which sparked my initial interest and admiration for the man who pronounced those timely words.
The above powerful statement is by the retired BISHOP DAVID ZAC RUZAAZA NIRINGIYE, a Ugandan national.
From the little I have gathered from various sources, the Bishop is a fighter for justice through and through. Bishop Niringiye reminds me of the Latin America of years gone-by when “liberation theology” manifested across the region.
Liberation theology is a school of thought that links Christian theology and political activism, particularly in such areas as social justice, poverty, and human rights. In other words, those who practised liberation theology shared the viewpoint of the poor and the oppressed.
Similarly, Bishop Niringiye has been described as “a vocal advocate for government reform and has denounced corruption and misrule.” The Bishop’s approach was in sharp contrast to that of the Church of Uganda which “has traditionally avoided direct lobbying of the government, seeking instead to influence the government by expounding the practical lessons of the Bible.”
http://www.anglicanink.com/article/zac-niringiye-retire
These are also the words of Bishop Niringiye: “Sadly the rampant poverty in Uganda is also due to theft, mismanagement and squandering of public resources by political and other government leaders.” http://www.fastborns.org/articles.php?option=article&c=9&id=116
When the Bishop announced his early retirement in 2012 seven years earlier than the mandatory age, he publicly stated that he would now actively “advocate for peace, justice and better leadership” for his country.
From my own selfish interest, how I wish this Bishop who is a Rwandophone from Uganda, hailed from Rwanda itself! Sadly we do not have in Rwanda a brave religious leader who can stand up to our own governmental bullies. Uganda is blessed to have this brother of ours – thanks to colonial boundaries.
NONETHELESS STAY TUNED AS WE LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS UGANDAN AND AFRICAN BRAVE!
David Himbara
