ABSTRACT
Religious identity is a key prominent personal characteristic in Ugandan society. However, there have not been uncompromising and excluding attitudes; religious worshipping practices and ceremonies have not disrupted organizational life and performance. Rooted in the early adoption of different religious affiliations by the local chiefs in the pre-colonial era, living and working together despite differences is soft. Religious observance does not disrupt organizational life, but rather complements it. Many observers and commentators highlight the values, diverse religious beliefs and experiences of employees as being shaped by the inclusion of religious practices in organizations. The complexity and dividing nature of religious diversity is well documented in various parts of Africa. Nkurunzinza (2002, p. 137) defined religion as ‘a force both creative and destructive’. Gatera (2002) reports the shortfall of religious bodies to play their prophetic role in Burundi and instead cultivated nepotism, favouritism and materialism that have bred conflict and intolerance. Adenyi (2002) studied the Nigerian situation where Islam, Christianity and Traditional religious groups have been engaged in direct confrontation manifesting into bloodshed. In Uganda, however, mild confrontations were recorded between 1879 and 1888 and thereafter religion has been a uniting factor among certain groupings of society (Ndyabahika, 2002; Nkurunzinza, 2002).
