In a bid to bolster the fight against poverty, President Yoweri Museveni has called for a strategic partnership between the government and religious leaders.
The President’s message, delivered by Lands Minister Judith Nabakooba at the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) East Buganda Field inauguration, urged church leaders to promote government development initiatives among their congregants.
“Religious leaders play a pivotal role in shaping community attitudes and behaviors. We need you to champion our development programs like Emyooga, the Parish Development Model, and the Youth Fund,” Nabakooba relayed from Museveni.
The President underscored the necessity of moving away from subsistence farming to commercial agriculture to achieve sustainable economic growth.
“We must eliminate subsistence farming as it perpetuates poverty and backwardness,” Museveni stated,
Adding that sectors such as industries, services, and ICT offer significant opportunities for wealth creation and employment.
Hon. Nabakooba announced the government’s commitment to providing a new vehicle for the newly installed bishop, Pr Jeremiah Alisengawa, as a symbol of support and collaboration.
This gesture will be realized in the financial year beginning July 2024.Pr Blasious Ruguri, President of the East and Central African Division (ECD) of the SDA church, officiated the event, expressing gratitude to President Museveni for his consistent support of the church’s mission.
“We are grateful for the President’s support and are committed to partnering with the government to uplift our communities,” Pr Ruguri said.
“We appreciate President Museveni’s efforts and will continue to work hand in hand with the government to meet the needs of our communities,” Pr Ruguri said. “Our faith calls us to action, and we are ready to answer the government’s prayer for equal concern for human needs.”
He emphasized the church’s readiness to contribute to national development.
“Our faith inspires us to take action in addressing the socio-economic challenges faced by our people,” Ruguri concluded.
The inauguration of the new SDA field and the installation of Bishop-elect Pr Alisengawa marks a significant milestone in the church’s efforts to foster development and improve the livelihoods of its members.
With the government’s support, the SDA church aims to play a crucial role in driving Uganda’s development agenda forward.
In his sermon, Pr Ruguri lauded President Museveni for his support towards the SDA church and expressed their commitment to answering the government’s prayer of equal concern for human needs.
The collaboration between the government and religious leaders signifies a united front in tackling poverty in Uganda.
President Museveni’s call to action and the SDA church’s commitment, there is renewed hope for socio-economic upliftment through combined efforts in development programs and community initiatives.
