Both the Church and the state are social institutions that aim at seeing the well-being of the people is good. However, the state is more concerned with political issues and the distribution of resources fair/ evenly in the country for social developments yet the church is more keen/ interested. Centre on the moral and spiritual uprightness of the citizens.
Therefore the two establishments are unseparable due to the following roles they play alongside each other;
As the church continues to encourage the believers in Christ to have good moral values emulating the example of Christ, the state similarly calls upon citizens to live a morally upright way respecting the constitution of the country. For instance the church condemns corruption strongly and so does the state which even has several organs like the Uganda police and IGG sector fighting against corruption in government civil offices/ departments.
The church usually works hand in hand with the state in mobilization of people for national duties. For instance if there is an epidemic out break like cholera, need for immunization of children, election process out break of insecurity in some parts of the country and many others, both the church and state tend to mobilize the masses together because it benefits all Uganda whether one is religious or a pagan.
In the spirit of developing nationalistic feelings the church and the state cannot be separated. This is because in many countries of Africa, nationalistic sometimes against colonialism was first exhibited through the church. Africans formed independent churches against missionary dominated church with an aim of fighting for self rule. For example the native African church in Nigeria, Zionist church, natal African church in South Africa and the Ethiopian church plus others. In Uganda the struggle for independence was spear-headed by the Uganda people’s congress (protestants) and democratic party (DP of Catholics)
The church and the state are inseparable because they co-operate in many aspects of social responsibility. Many projects started by the church are supplemented by the government. For instance schools like Kings College Budo, Namilyango College S S St. Henrys College Kitovu Masaka districts and some hospitals like Rubaga Hospital, Nsambya Hospital and Mengo hospital were church founded but now funded by the government. This is because such projects benefit al categories of Ugandans.
The church has worked well with the state when fighting injustices in the country. For example the leaders of the Catholic Church have often condemned injustice like murder of innocents people. Entebbe, Nansana, Lwengo, Bukomansombi. The state through the president has organized ralies in such places and returms security in those areas.
From time immemorial religious leaders have acted as counselors to politicians and always helped to guide them in good leadership required of them. For instance over the Christmas celebrations of 2017 orthodox and some muslim leaders all condemned in their preachings the constitutional commandments made on 20th/12/2017 extending presidential and parliamentary term of office in Uganda.
Both the church and the state co-relate/coordinate in policy formations and implementations.
The church ensures that the bills passed in the parliament are taught to the followers. For example the bills aren’t in favor of the people. For example strongly came out to oppose the newly amended constitutional bill 102(b) which brought in a change of parliamentary and local council leaders to extend from 5-7 years and the presidential age limit removed (made open) to all Ugandans from the age of 18 years.
The church and the state relate in matters of pilgrimages. For instance when the catholic and protestant church are organizing the celebrations to remember the 3rd June 1886 Namugongo massacres, at the holy shrine, the state works hand in hand by providing security and control traffic at Namugongo.
The church and the state also work hand in hand with each other whenever either party has controversial issues to deal with. Each calls the other for abortion. For instance during the Saga in Kigezi diocese in which people planted pins and needles in the bishop’s chair to pierce him, the state got with involved in trying to reconcile the rebellious Christians with the clergy.
The state and the church have remained in good relationship through the state accepting to honour the Christian days of religious importance and are declared public holidays and days like good Friday, Easter Sunday and Monday, Christmas and Uganda martyrs day are celebrated nationally as special religious days.
The state often treAfrican traditional society religious leaders like Arch bishops in a V.I.P status, giving them special cars, escorts or protection if need be. The state usually funds renovation of churches like Namirembe cathedral, Rubaga Cathedral and Namugongo martyr shrine.
The state also often exempts the church from paying certain taxes as they import or receive donations from abroad like cars yet other business people are forced to pay taxes for some of these donations. For instance most vehicles owned by the catholic church or C.O.U have Red and white number plates ending with letters X,Y,Z and W indicating that some taxes were waived off.·
The church has lived in good terms with the state for long in matters of rendering/ offering prayers to some elected civil servants especially the president. For instance, while commemorating independence day celebrations and swearing in of a new president, religious leaders for different denominations are usually limited and given opportunity to pray for the nation, the people and particularly the president elect.
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