Bishop: URA won’t take over authority to collect funds from schools

18 April 2025, 11:11 am

By Ronald Ssemagonja

The Bishop of Namirembe Diocese, the Rt Rev Bishop Moses Banja, has confirmed that the Church will not allow the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) to manage the funds of their government-aided schools. The Bishop made this statement during his Easter message yesterday at St. Paul’s Cathedral, Namirembe, Kampala. Recently, the government suggested that URA should manage all the funds for government-aided education institutions nationwide, once agreed upon.

“As the Church, we will not allow Uganda Revenue Authority’s intention to take over the responsibility of managing funds in our schools, which are aided by the government. We cannot accept that. We have the capacity to run our schools just like others because they belong to us. While the government helps us in some ways, they remain our schools. Therefore, we will not allow it,” the Bishop said. He urged the responsible authorities to reconsider this proposal.

The Bishop’s Easter message was under the theme, “Understanding the Power of Resurrection,” derived from Philippians 3:10-11, which states: “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.”

The Bishop also expressed concern about the growing levels of corruption in the country, noting that it has become too widespread and is now seen as normal. “Acts of corruption are at a high level and it is becoming very normal to both those who give and those who receive it. May the good Lord help us fight corruption in this country,” he said. Additionally, the Bishop addressed the issue of land grabbing in Uganda, highlighting how land grabbers are increasingly targeting properties belonging to Churches and Mosques. Even when land titles or credible documents are available, these land grabbers are not deterred. He also condemned the killing of a police officer sent to carry out his duties in Ibanda, calling it an act of evil.

The Bishop concluded by wishing a happy Easter on behalf of his family and the Diocese to the President, the First Lady, and all Ugandans. In the same spirit, the Diocese’s Missions Coordinator, Lumu Stephen, urged believers to join the Bishop for the Ecumenical Way of the Cross, which will start at the Diocese and continue with other religious groups at Old Kampala Secondary School. In the evening, there will be an overnight prayer session.