The response of the Roman Catholic Church to political conflicts in Uganda : a case study of Buganda region, 1945 - 1971

Abstract

The study deals with the response of the Catholic Church to Political conflicts in Uganda from 1945-1971. It traces the political conflicts that took place in Uganda between 1945 and 1971. According to this study, various political conflicts have featured in the history of Uganda in which the Catholic Church has participated in her attempts of conflict resolution. The study reveals the pre-independence struggles / conflicts which challenged the stability of Uganda. Such conflicts included: the Bataka uprisings of 1945, 1946 and 1949. Factors that led to their outbreak are considered + their effects. Other pre-independence conflicts included: the deportation of the Kabaka and his return (1953-1955). The study shows the ways in which the Catholic Church reacted or responded to the above political conflicts, since the Church and the state exist in a complementary way of delivering services to humanity. The thesis displays the different conflicts that were embedded in the preparations for the independence of Uganda. The preparations included: the formation of UNC, DP, UPC, and KY as political parties formed at the time, constitutional making struggles and elections of 1961. According to this study, the post-independence period (1962-1971) was composed of various political struggles which included the KY / UPC union and the saga of the lost counties; the 1963 Education Act; the Kabaka crisis of 1966; the state of emergency (1966-1967); the 1967 Constitution and abolition of Monarchism and finally the military coup of 1971 in which Amin toppled Obote. According to the Catholic Church and her role in any political, economic and social situations, the study shows that she responded to the above political conflicts. The Catholic Church reacted by giving guidance to her people through Regional or Area Episcopal Conferences, publications like Musizi and Munno, the Catholic Secretariat News Reports, which acted as the issued directives to the faithful.