Musaazi NAMITI
The Pope’s encyclical is one of the most important types of official letters issued by the head of the Catholic Church. The Pope addresses the encyclical to Catholic bishops around the world, but in practice the letter is often intended for a much wider audience, including non-Catholics.
The one Pope Leo XIV wrote a few days ago focuses on the dangers of artificial intelligence, the subject of many conversations these days. It remains to be seen how the companies behind the numerous AI tools being used today will address the risks.
But for me, another aspect of the encyclical is likely to grab the attention of many people—especially those who have long had issues with religion and the role it has played in some of humanity’s darkest chapters. And that is the Pope’s apology for the church’s historical role in slavery.
Religion is supposed to be a force for good. While in some places it has lived up to the expectations of religious people, in others it has caused untold suffering.
Six reasons you should trust what you read on this website—and share it with confidence
1. Led by experience that travels well
Our founder and editorial director, Musaazi NAMITI, brings more than two decades of serious newsroom experience, including eight years as an editor at Al Jazeera in Doha, Qatar, and consulting for the African Development Bank, UN agencies and Globe Media Asia in Cambodia. His global exposure anchors OJ-UGANDA.COM in professional rigour and fairness—standards that too often slip in Uganda’s crowded media space.
2. We fact-check with scientific precision
Verification is NOT a box we tick; it is how we bring journalism to life. We confirm spellings, dates, figures, places—every detail that shapes a story. If a fact looks shaky, we pause and probe. Emotion does not lead us; evidence does.
3. We are a legal entity and are fully registered
OJ-UGANDA.COM is a company registered with the Uganda Registration Services Bureau. Our registration number is: 80034266163714
4. Radical transparency in how we work
We do not hide behind mystery. We show readers how information is gathered, verified and edited. You will always understand why we stand by a story—because we will let you in on the process.
5. Accountability you can see
When we err, we do not sweep it under the carpet/rug. Our corrections policy ensures every error is corrected immediately, with a clear note explaining what went wrong and what has been fixed. No quiet deletions. No half-truths.
6. Fair treatment for contributors
If you write for us, your ideas remain yours. We refine, not usurp. We share every edited version before publication, and we publish only work that is fact-based and mutually agreed upon. Your voice stays authentic—and honest.
🔴We run a clean, professional news site that prioritises editorial quality and draws readers’ attention to what matters.
Critics argue that institutions claiming moral authority should be judged not only by their teachings but also by their actions. Add this to the fact that religion relies heavily on dogma and often encourages people to be satisfied with non-answers to some of life’s most important questions and you will see why its critics insist their criticism is justified.
Slavery is arguably the most dehumanising thing that ever happened to the people of Africa. The suffering of the slaves was unspeakable.
The Bible itself, which Christians call the word of God, condoned slavery. Witness Exodus 21:2–6: “If you buy a Hebrew servant, he is to serve you for six years. But in the seventh year, he shall go free…”
Exodus 21:20–21 says: “Anyone who beats their male or female slave with a rod must be punished if the slave dies as a direct result, but they are not to be punished if the slave recovers after a day or two, since the slave is their property.”
Many will say the Pope did the right thing by apologising. But the encyclical runs to 42,300 words. It will be read by very few people. And for those who know the church’s history—not just slavery but child sexual abuse it concealed and enabled—the apology is just a reminder of the church’s skeletons in the closet.
DIVE INTO OUR PREVIOUS READS
🔴 Sunday Thought cuts through the noise of prayer, piety and superstition to ask the questions most people avoid. It discusses God, faith and religion—not to preach, but to probe, challenge and sometimes unsettle. Whether you believe, doubt or have stopped looking altogether, Sunday Thought will make you think, question and maybe even rethink everything you thought you knew about the divine—and about life itself.