John Baptist Nambeshe, the opposition chief whip representing Manjiya sub-county in Budada on the National Unity Platform ticket, has said that all religious leaders in Uganda have sold their birthrights for cars, cash, and other incentives.

Nambeshe confirmed this development on his X handle on January 23, 2024, and said that he was open to them while in a meeting between the Inter-religious Council of Uganda and opposition leaders under the umbrella of the United Forces of Change.

“I told them point blank that they have failed the body of Christ and citizens of Uganda; most of them have sold their birthrights for cars, cash, and other incentives,” Nambeshe said.

He implored religious leaders to advocate for justice, fairness, truth, constitutionalism, rule of law, and good governance in the country.

“This is because fairness, equity, and respect for the rights of others are fundamental to peace, stability, and what God stands for,” Nambeshe said.

Nambeshe argued that, as religious leaders, they must strive at all levels to promote those virtues without fear or favor.

He noted that, even if they are regarded and looked at as the conscience of society, they have failed to come out and admonish President Museveni and his government.

Nambeshe further noted that when the church compromises on the truth, its mediation efforts will be fruitless. He called upon the religious leaders to read Matthew 14:1–12 so that they could understand John the Baptist’s speaking of the truth about power.

This statement follows the meeting held by the United Forces of Change with the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda on January 22, 2024, to forge a way out for the rights of Ugandans.