Museveni rallies church leaders on development

KIKUUBE-President Yoweri Museveni has challenged church leaders in Uganda to mobilise citizens to engage in the government’s development programmes aimed at fighting household poverty.

Museveni noted that government is implementing the Parish Development Model [PDM] to move 3.5 million households from subsistence farming to the money economy.

He said such development programmes in the country are meant to create wealth and jobs, adding that the PDM is an extension of the government’s approach to development as prioritised under the Third National Development Plan [NDP III].

Museveni made the remarks in a speech read for him by Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja during the celebration of the golden jubilee of Bunyoro-Kitara Diocese on Sunday.

He added that the mission of the National Resistance Movement [NRM] government is to enhance socio-economic development through implementing far-reaching changes in the livelihoods of the people of Uganda by transforming its economy.

Museveni mentioned the great contribution of the church in Uganda in the provision of socio-economic services such as health, education, works of charity, poverty alleviation and income-generating projects, relief services, and peacebuilding initiative efforts among others, adding that the above have gone a long way to improve the living standards of Ugandans.

He added that it is difficult to divorce religious institutions from social sector service delivery and development and that this makes the work of the church formidable in the development process of the country.

Museveni congratulated Bunyoro-Kitara Diocese saying the golden jubilee celebration is a testimony of the diocese’s growth, courage, endurance, steadfastness, and dedication to serving God.

He appealed to the church to continue sowing the seeds of love, unity, discipline, sacrifice, hard work, integrity, and patriotism among the people.

“NRM Government values with gratitude this formidable contribution and will continue supporting church development initiatives of this nature. By supporting the church, the government will directly synergise the development of the nation in general.”

In his preaching at the function Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu, the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda raised concern over the encroachment on church-owned land across the country.

He said some of the people grabbing church land are Christians and children of clergymen.

The Archbishop urged church leaders to secure the institution’s land by processing land titles for it and utilising it to grow food as well as planting trees, saying this will help the church to earn some income but also protect it from land grabbers.

Kaziimba also challenged Church leaders in Bunyoro to mobilise Christians, especially the youth, so that they benefit from the oil and gas industry as suppliers and employees.

Jenifer Kaaca Namuyangu, the State Minister for Bunyoro Affairs said there is a need for government to support the church and other public institutions to secure land titles.

Rt. Rev. Samuel Kahuma, the Bishop of Bunyoro Kitara Diocese said during the 50 years of its existence, the diocese has made tremendous development including giving birth to Masindi Kitara Diocese, increasing the number of parishes from 15 to 86. He added that the number of members of the clergy also increased from 16 to 150, which he said is a big achievement.

Kahuma too said the diocese has also done a lot in improving the health and education sectors in the 50 years.

He said the diocese wants to establish a fully-fledged radio station that will help mobilise the community to actively participate in both church and government programmes.

Museveni contributed Shs 200 million towards the completion of the Bishop’s House and the establishment of the diocese’s radio station.

Premier Nabbanja presided over the fundraising for the installation of the radio station where she contributed Shs 20mln. Shs 150mln was raised in cash and pledges.

https://thecooperator.news/museveni-impressed-by-emyooga-insists-pdm-will-be-funded/

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