By Spy Uganda
Kampala: Government officials are expediting the implementation of a new policy aimed at, among other things, mandating religious organizations to account for offertories and contributions from their members, along with other ceremonial functions.
This policy is being developed under the the Directorate for Ethics and Integrity (DEI) within the Office of the President, focusing on crafting a National Policy for Religious and Faith Organizations (RFOs).
Currently undergoing validation and final review, the draft policy seeks to foster collaboration between RFOs and the government, emphasizing their active involvement in enhancing social service delivery, contributing to economic development, and ensuring accountability.
Mr. Alex B. Okello, the Permanent Secretary at the Directorate for Ethics and Integrity, clarified that the policy emphasizes transparency in dealing with public resources within prayer centers.
Speaking to religious leaders from the Lango Sub-region in Lira City on Tuesday, he highlighted that the policy is not equivalent to a law but rather a directive for transparency within religious institutions. Okello emphasized that institutions have the flexibility to determine the specific measures for achieving transparency.
“The biggest confusion which has been going all over the country, is people think that a policy is a law. The policy just says let there be transparency in any religious institution. How you put that transparency measure in your institution is up to you,” Mr Okello said while meeting religious leaders from the Lango Sub-region in Lira City on Tuesday.
Furthermore, he dismissed misconceptions, stating that the policy does not necessarily entail taxing religious institutions, contrary to the interpretations of some religious leaders.
“They (religious leaders) said we want to tax the money. No! We want those resources that believers give to be used properly. (https://restorehealthky.com/) The government taxes taxable income. A giving in church or mosque is not an income. It is a developmental money,” he explained.
Rev Canon Aaron Mwesigye, director for Ethics and Religious Affairs at DEI, said the policy is meant to prepare religious leaders so that they can work together with the government for national development.
According to him, the ongoing validation is intended to make religious leaders own drafts before the policy is approved by the cabinet.
Rev Canon Mwesigye said the policy will put mechanisms that churches or mosques can use to proactively identify and deal with corrupt people.
He denounced trends where apparent law offenders are usually arrested and bailed or handed bond to “become corrupt again.”
