Bishop Sheldon Mwesigwa of Ankole Diocese seems to believe Uganda’s rising divorce rates have a new culprit—education, especially among women. Preaching at the grand opening of a Children’s Church in St. James Cathedral, Mbarara, the bishop lamented how young women have become “too educated” and “too wealthy” to care about marriage. Apparently, the more degrees a woman has, the less she needs a ring, or so goes his theory.
While Ugandan men, in the bishop’s eyes, hold onto “traditional values” like a long lost 1986 cassette tape, women are out there breaking free from the shackles of dependency. But what does this lead to? According to Bishop Mwesigwa, it’s a “breakdown” in family structures that leaves children stranded without parental love or guidance, like a lost boda boda rider without Google Maps.
And this modern independence isn’t helping anyone, says the bishop. Even when children are raised by wealthy single parents, the absence of “both” parental love results in “moral degeneration.” So, it’s not just about feeding your kids on posho and beans, but the missing ingredient, he argues, is having both parents around to provide spiritual vitamins of guidance and counsel.
The bishop’s solution? A good old return to Christian values of love, tolerance, and forgiveness, like back in the days of Mwanga II, where unity and strong family bonds were the fabric of society—well, at least until someone disagreed.
He also turned his attention to parents, accusing them of raising children like they’re running a military boot camp—instilling fear instead of fostering love. Bishop Mwesigwa warned that if Ugandan parents don’t spend quality time with their children, they risk raising a generation that seeks solace in “immoral behaviors.” We can only assume the bishop wasn’t talking about how Kampala youth dance in clubs.
The Children’s Church, according to Mwesigwa, will act as a moral fortress, grooming Uganda’s next generation in Christian values. As he says, “Children are the foundation of the church and society.” Of course, in this foundation, there’s no room for cracks—no mobile phones, no TikTok challenges, and definitely no independent thoughts!
But it wasn’t all doom and gloom. State Minister for Internal Affairs, General David Muhoozi, praised Ankole Diocese for creating a space where young people can learn moral values. According to the general, if Uganda raises God fearing youth today, we won’t be left with a future filled with hustling bazukulu (grandchildren) who’ve lost their way. Because after all, what Uganda needs isn’t just a responsible generation but one that has room for both WhatsApp statuses and prayers before meals.
