Archbishop of Uganda disassociates Church from Anglican MP defending domestic violence

The Archbishop, Stanley Ntagali used his Easter message to give a strong rebuttal to domestic violence, stressing it is never right.

It comes after Onesmus Twinamasiko, a Ugandan member of parliament, said in a TV interview: “As a man, you need to discipline your wife. You need to touch her a bit, and you tackle her and you beat her somehow to streamline her.”

Ntagali says: “I want to state categorically and very clearly that the Church of Uganda does not support his views. Even though he is an Anglican, he and his views do not represent the Church of Uganda. We condemn all domestic violence. No exceptions.”

Uganda’s president Yoweri Museveni branded men who beat women as foolish and cowardly, urging churches to speak out.

“We too easily resort to violence in order to resolve conflict – even petty conflicts. That is not the way of Jesus,” Ntagali said.

“Men: it is never right to beat your wife. Women: it is never right to resolve conflict with violence. Women, you should never believe your aunties when they tell you that if your husband doesn’t beat you then that means he doesn’t love you. That is a lie.

“Listen to me carefully. The position of the Church of Uganda is that domestic violence is always wrong. Always.

“Please learn the way of Jesus, which is the way of life. Jesus destroyed the culture of death through his resurrection, and he brought us a culture of life. So, I ask you, “Why are we continuing the culture of death?”

“I am glad to know that the Hon MP has apologized before Parliament.

“I urge him to now show the fruits of repentance and become a public leader in the fight against domestic violence, and in his own family and marriage to practice love and preach love to others.”