Faithful Governance: Leveraging Religious Influence for Change

In his book, Bantu Philosophy, Placide Temples asserted that Africans are notoriously religious. This assertion continues to sound true even in this present age basing on how devoted and committed Africans are in matters pertinent to religion. Religion is deeply ingrained in the African life, with deep and unique spiritual orientation as well as a sturdy connection to the divine.

Presently, with these “white man’s” religions, the African that understands them keeps the notoriety. The recent Martyrs’ Day celebrations are testament to this. I joined over a million of people on the 3rd of June to celebrate the heroism of our own martyrs. There, multitudes of people of different tribal and political groupings, gathered to honor our national pride, the martyrs. As I reflected on the significance of these celebrations, I received an insight pertaining to the desired interplay between the religious and political climate: Political leaders should collaborate with religious leaders when implementing government programs, considering the loyalty that transcends our different divisions, which people have towards their religious leaders.

For many years, religious leaders have built and maintained their clean and standing reputation, save these rare effects of human frailty. Through virtues like honesty, trust, selfless service, transparency and accountability, religious leaders have won trust of their followers. Consequently, using their moral authority, they have been able to lead their flock with ease. We have seen and heard on many occasions religious leaders mobilizing for social causes. They have gone extra miles to lead poverty alleviation campaigns in their small but significant circles. In contrast with the political leadership, the image of leaders is steadily, as if intentionally, being tainted with mistrust majorly due to their dirty conduct. Consequently, implementing important programs becomes hard due to their disloyalty and mistrust.

Basing on how attached and loyal people are to their religious leaders, it would therefore be wise of the leaders to collaborate with the former in implementation of their programmes. I firmly believe that the collaboration between these two parties would effect ideal governance. It is now clear that the masses have lost trust in their elected leaders. The easy trick leaders would be using is going through the religious to drive the populace to engage in developmental programmes. At this point, the word spoken through the pulpit is stronger than that said in the eccentricity of a number of security personnel. This is not sheer involvement of the religious in politics per se; it is a matter of harnessing their strengths as a tool capable to ease the work done in the political spaces.

Singlehandedly, religious circles have been vanguards in the battle against poverty, illiteracy and poor health. We know very well that this is the duty of any functioning government; however, the religious leaders have intervened to help. Collaboration with the political leaders can fully amplify their influence, as we witness in the effective initiatives like the Church’s educational and healthcare programs.

The mutual existence between the church and government is worth appreciative. However, it should go extra miles to address issues of the populace from a common table. By working together, the two can bring about harmony and steadiness, enhancing a spirit of national unity and purpose. Religious leaders have already contributed to conflict management and peacebuilding. We know how the church was a great pole in reinstating peace in Northern Uganda in the aftermath of the rebel attacks. This alone is a manifestation of how potent the religious are in the advancement of human rights and justice.

Looking at the Uganda Martyrs’ day event in isolation, we see the relevance of collaboration between the religious and politicians. The former have an exceptional and special ability of summoning people around a common cause. Political leaders can leverage this to implement beneficial programmes. When the two parties work together, the faith and loyalty of the populace is easily tapped for a positive change.

Akin to this, political leaders have many lessons to learn from their counterparts, the religious. Selflessness and servant leadership are not virtues reserved for the religious leadership alone. These are some of the qualities missing to fill the vacuum in the political leadership. They can learn from the religious’ example by prioritizing the needs of their followers instead of personal benefit. When leaders manifest a commitment to service of the people, rather than individual gains, they earn the respect and loyalty of the nationals.

As we conclude, dialogue and collaboration between the religious and political leaders can be another tool of achieving effective governance. As we respect and recognize the boundaries between the state and church, political leaders can harness the muscle of faith to drive positive transformation.