By Baraka Bitariho
THE Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT) has reminded Tanzanians to conduct peaceful elections and maintain the prevailing peace at all cost to avoid plunging the nation into unnecessary political chaos.
The ELCT outgoing Bishop, Dr Alex Malasusa, sounded the warning on Saturday during a graduation ceremony at Josiah Girls’ High School in Bukoba municipality.“Fellow Tanzanians, we must keep at heart the interests of our nation.
If peace is not maintained, we could face similar conflicts being witnessed in several countries. We should not allow this to happen,†he said. He stressed the need for religious tolerance among Tanzanians of different faiths, as the nation prepares to hold general election slated for next Sunday.
“Brothers and sisters, we have a duty to tolerate one another. Religion should not divide us because we are all children of God,†he said, adding that Tanzanians should ensure that the existing peace is maintained.
A total of 1,051,681 eligible voters in Kagera Region were registered by the National Electoral Commission (NEC) to vote during the general election. Out of the number, 543,144 – 52 per cent, were women while 508,537 – 48 per cent, were male.
Meanwhile, hundreds of worshippers and well-wishers, including foreign dignitaries, yesterday attended the consecration ceremony of Dr Abednego Keshomshahara as the fifth bishop of the North-Western Diocese (NWD).
ELCT elected Dr Keshomshahara to take over from Bishop Elisa Buberwa, who has retired after attaining the mandatory age of 65 years. Speaking during the ceremony, retired Bishop Buberwa, thanked the congregation for the support he was accorded during his ten-year tenure.
He also appealed to Tanzanians to conduct peaceful elections next Sunday. Dr Keshomshahara scooped 51 per cent of the votes out of 174 cast, defeating Dr Josephat Rweyemamu who got 46 per cent of the votes.
He received his doctorate in 2008 at Tumaini University and Germany. Until his election, he was interim Provost of Josiah Kibira University College of Tumaini University.
Among those who attended the ceremony include the Kagera Regional Commissioner (RC), Mr John Mongela, Bishop Desiderius Rwoma and Bishop Almachius Rweyongeza of the Bukoba and Kayanga Catholic dioceses respectively.
Vice-President, Dr Mohamed Gharib Bilal, was expected to be the chief guest at the celebrations, but by the time of going to press he had not yet arrived at the Bukoba Airport due to bad weather as it was raining heavily.
OP Daily News
Baraka Bitariho
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