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Ugandan Catholic Archbishop Urges Hope, Warns Against Pessimism after Tense Election Period

Credit: Catholic Diocese of Fort Portal
Nicholas Waigwa

By Nicholas Waigwa

Kampala, 29 January, 2026 / 4:11 pm (ACI Africa).

Archbishop Lambert Bainomugisha of the Catholic Archdiocese of Mbarara in Uganda has cautioned against pessimism in the aftermath of the country’s January 15 general elections, and urged citizens of the East African nation to remain hopeful despite the strain that characterizes national polls. 

Speaking during Holy Mass at the 2026 pilgrimage at St. Adolf Tibeyalirwa Katoosa Martyr’s Shrine on Tuesday, January 27, Archbishop Bainomugisha situated the annual spiritual event within the broader national context, noting, “This pilgrimage has taken place during a significant moment in the life of our nation.”

Reflecting on the electoral process, the Ugandan Catholic Archbishop acknowledged its emotional complexity, describing it as “a period that often brings anxiety, tension, and vision, but also joy.”

Archbishop Bainomugisha, who has served as Local Ordinary of the Mbarara Metropolitan See since June 2020, emphasized that despair should not define the Church’s response to such moments. 

“The Church can never be pessimistic,” he said, underscoring a theological and pastoral stance that rejects cynicism even during difficult national transitions.

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The Catholic Church leader further highlighted the pilgrimage as a source of encouragement, telling the pilgrims, “We have brought joy to many of you people of God.” 

For him, such gatherings reinforce the role of faith in sustaining communities when political processes strain social cohesion.

Addressing worshippers at Adolf Tibeyalirwa Katoosa Martyr’s Shrine during the January 27 Eucharistic celebration, Archbishop Bainomugisha situated the Church’s public witness in resilience rather than fear, stating, “As people of faith, we thank God for guiding our country through this process.” 

The 64-year-old Ugandan Catholic Church leader went on to say that while the Church gives thanks to God for the conclusion of the January polls, she remains aware of the “continued need for healing, reconciliation and renewed commitment to the common good.”

In his January 27 remarks during the pilgrimage held in honor of St. Adolf Ludigo Tibeyalirwa Abwooli, a native of Myeri, Katoosa in Uganda’s Catholic Diocese of Fort Portal, Archbishop Bainomugisha hailed government authorities for gazetting St. Adolf Tibeyalirwa Katoosa Martyr’s Shrine as an official pilgrimage and tourism site.

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He said, “I thank the government for gazetting this location as a pilgrimage and tourism site,” noting that the government has consistently shown a willingness to journey with the local Church in its evangelization mission.

“Thank you for pledging to cooperate with us in putting the necessary structures to grow this place,” the archbishop said, referring to the Katoosa Martyr’s Shrine.

Uganda’s electoral commission  on January 17 declared incumbent President Museveni the winner of the January 15 presidential polls which took place, amid a nationwide internet shutdown in a move that the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) made “to curb misinformation.”

According to the Commission’s results, President Museveni retained his seat for a seventh five-year term after winning 71.65 percent of the vote, defeating 43-year-old Bobi Wine, who received 24.72 percent.

Nicholas Waigwa

Nicholas Waigwa is a Kenyan multimedia journalist and broadcast technician with a professional background in creating engaging news stories and broadcasting content across multiple media platforms. He is passionate about the media apostolate and Catholic Church communication.

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