West Ankole Diocese Bishop Johnson Twinomujuni has called for protection of women and their rights by everyone in society, saying they are special and anyone that despises them is not on the side of reality.
“A real leader or man is the one who does not despise the position or belittle the value of women in society. Everyone must have a reason to respect women. Children who despise their mothers are not cultured and are likely to lose God’s blessing in life,” said Bishop Twinomujuni.
He made the comments on Tuesday while speaking at a handover ceremony of leaders of West Ankole Diocese Mothers Union at Mothers Union Centre, Katungu in Bushenyi Town.
Bishop Twinomujuni said all leaders and men in society ought to keep maximum respect for women and stop despising them, arguing that every powerful man in the world was produced by a woman.
“Men build houses but women make them homes. Look at how so important you are in the Church ministry. Actually, no one can offer what you offer,” he told the union leaders.
He also hailed the Mothers Union leadership in the diocese for the great work done through putting up multimillion structures at Katungu saying they have left a legacy.
He challenged the new leadership to consider unity in diversity and form a force that will take the Mothers Union to greater heights and also help the newly married women to build strong Christian families.
The outgoing Mothers Union president, Ms Ellyvaida Nshemeire Katoneene, called for periodic trainings and orientation of newly married women by the Church for stronger Christian families. The incoming president, Canon Joviah Muhanguzi, called for solidarity and humility among women.
The Bishop’s spouse, Maama Joy, pledged her full support to the union and added that she will be there to participate and guide as their mother and matron.
The Mothers Union ministry in West Ankole Diocese has had four presidents, including Ms Beatrice Bamunoba, Rev Can Dr Edidah Mujinya, Ms Gertrude Kabazeyo, and Ms Ellyvaida Nshemeire Katoneene.
The Bishop’s remarks come after an MP apologised last week after encouraging men to beat their wives to “discipline” them, in comments that sparked an outcry in the country.
Mr Onesmus Twinamasiko, wrote in a letter to Parliament that he actually “detests all form of violence against women”.
The apology comes after Mr Twinamasiko gave an interview the day after women’s day, March 8, to local television station and said: “As a man you need to discipline your wife, you need to touch her and tackle her and beat her somehow, to really streamline her”.
