Speaker Jacob Marksons Oboth has praised the outgoing Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Rt Rev. Dr. Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu  for what he described as a fearless and consistent voice on integrity and accountability.

Oboth who was speaking at a farewell service held in honour of Kaziimba Mugalu at St. Peter's Cathedral, Tororo said that said that Archbishop’s willingness to speak on matters of character and accountability had gone beyond the pulpit to shape public leadership.

"For those entrusted with public responsibility, your firm moral voice has given us confidence to do what is right, even when it is difficult. You have reminded us that leadership is not simply about holding office but holding a trust on behalf of the people and ultimately before God," Oboth said.

Tracing Kaziimba's rise from a Sunday school teacher through the different leadership levels in the church, Oboth said the trajectory illustrated that humble beginnings do not limit what can be achieved through service.

The Speaker added that Kaziimba used his tenure to push the Church's mission beyond the pulpit into education, health, livelihoods, social development and peacebuilding, while consistently anchoring his message in personal and public integrity.

"Do not stop holding our hands; keep speaking to our conscience, keep reminding us of the higher standard, keep encouraging leaders when the road becomes difficult, keep the message coming," he said , adding that, ‘leadership is temporary but the consequences of how we use that responsibility can last for generations’.  

Dr. Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu called on the Christians to abandon divided and hypocritical hearts in favour of renewed togetherness. 

He said the nation cannot move past cycles of violence, including attacks on school children and internal conspiracies, without a collective conversion of the head, heart and hands.

The Archbishop used a football analogy from his playing days to caution against internal conflict within the church and political circles, recalling an incident in which a defender scored an own goal, which he likened to leaders who undermine their own communities.

"We don't need to fight each other; the person you are hurting may help you someday and therefore, you should all know that we need each other," he said.

The Archbishop also made a call for what he termed divine transplanting, in which God removes hearts of stone and replaces them with hearts of forgiveness.

"When God creates a new heart, it will change people who are in church and automatically everything will change," he added.