President Yoweri Museveni has commended church leaders who are preaching the gospel of ecomic growth and national development .
Mr Museveni said the church is doing a commendable job in helping the government to transform the lives of the grassroots people through promoting health, education, and socio-economic transformation campaigns.
This was during the celebration of the Central Buganda Diocese’s 29th anniversary in Kanoni, Gomba District. Rev Bishop Michael Lubowa, the Bishop of Central Buganda, was also celebrating eight years since he assumed the office.
“Leaders of this diocese have engaged in activities that are in line with the government’s mandate of changing the lives of Ugandans through our government programs such as the Parish Development Model,” the president said in a message read for him by Ms Ruth Nankabirwa, Minister for Energy and Mineral Development.
The church also held a fundraiser for the construction of the Bishop’s retirement home before the end of the remaining four years. The main celebrations were led by Bishop Nathan Ahimbisibwe of South Ankole Diocese and the function was graced by the Bishop of Mukono, Enos Kitto Kagodo, Jackson Matovu, and George Ssenabulya (retired) among others.
“Thank you for changing lives and transforming the community through different projects you have invested in as the church,” President Museveni said, calling upon the general public and all the churches across the country to mobilise communities to engage in government programs.
He underscored the power of PDM in transforming the lives of people who have so far utilized the money properly, arguing that to live a good life, everyone needs to have some productive work where they can generate money for development.
“To date, there are several people who think they can go on bended knees to pray for wealth. God will provide for those who work, move out of their comfort zones, and tap into different programs introduced by the National Resistance Movement (NRM),” the president said.
Minister of Lands Judith Ms Nankabirwa thanked the Bishop for his good leadership that has seen the church and its people grow for the past eight years he has served as the bishop of Central Buganda Diocese.
“I have walked with the church and we have done a lot of activities that support it and its followers. If God gave you mercy and you have eceonomic means to help others , give back to Him and support our church leaders,” she said, after delivering a Shs30 million contribution from the President towards the construction of the bishop’s retirement home.
She also contributed Shs4 million on behalf of the Bishop of Kampala, Bishop Fredrick Balwa, Luwero Diocese Bishop, Wilson Kisekka, Bishop James Bukomeko (Mityana), and Bishop Banja of Namirembe and Shs1million on her behalf.
She encouraged the faithful congregants to have a giving heart especially when it comes to supporting church activities.
The function was graced by different dignitaries who included , Mr Robert Sserwanga, the minister for entertainment in Buganda Kingdom (who represented the premier of Buganda Kingdom Charles Peter Mayiga), Mother’s Union leadership among others.
In her speech, Nabakooba congratulated Bishop Lubowa for thus far he has gone while serving the people of God.
In her lands docket, Nabakooba gave hope to the people of Lunene in Maddu and Nkwale who previously experienced eviction threats that the government is working tirelessly to resolve those land matters.
“Following the institution of a statutory instrument that will guide payments of Busuulu to landlords, we believe all issues related to eviction will reduce,” she said, revealing that they are awaiting cabinet approval to guide on how the payments will be made.
Nabakooba also contributed Shs3 million on behalf of the people under this diocese hailing from Mityana District in areas of Manyi, Banda, Buzibazzi, and Ngugulo.
During the prayers, Bishop Ahimbisibwe called upon the churchgoers to support God’s activities and prayed for peace for one another and in the country.
At least Shs70 million had been collected towards the construction of the bishop’s retirement home before the end of the remaining four years.
