President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has urged Christians to prioritize wealth creation and production, emphasizing the importance of tapping into regional and continental markets to boost household incomes and livelihoods. He made this call while officiating at "The Big Fix" Holy Spirit Global Conference at Miracle Centre Cathedral in Rubaga, Kampala, on Saturday. The conference, which runs from September 21 to 27, has brought together Christians from Uganda and beyond for worship, fellowship, teaching, and spiritual renewal.
Museveni encouraged Christians to position themselves to benefit from the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), highlighting Africa's growing population as a significant market for locally produced goods and services. He emphasized the need for greater African unity and economic integration, cautioning against trade barriers that restrict the movement of goods within the East African Community. The President also stressed the importance of deeper East African integration, citing long-term objectives such as one army, one foreign policy, one citizenship, and one common market.
The President highlighted the need for increased value addition to agricultural products, urging Ugandans to process raw agricultural produce locally to increase returns, create employment, and maximize the economic benefits of the country's agricultural resources. He also emphasized the importance of strengthening Africa's capacity across the four strategic dimensions of land, air, sea, and space. Museveni pointed to gaps in Africa's maritime and space capabilities and called for greater regional cooperation to address the continent's strategic security needs.
Museveni urged religious leaders to incorporate messages of wealth creation and development in their sermons. He commended Pastor Robert Kayanja for demonstrating this approach through interventions aimed at supporting development and wealth creation in Karamoja. During the conference, Museveni donated Shs2 billion to pastors' SACCOs to support their socioeconomic empowerment. This move aims to enhance the economic capacity of religious leaders and promote community development.
Pastor Robert Kayanja commended Museveni's leadership, particularly the freedom of worship, peace, and security enjoyed in Uganda. Kayanja also praised the government's interventions in Karamoja, noting that the sub-region was transitioning into a food-producing area. He pledged to work with the government to address remaining challenges in the agricultural sector, including the establishment of a Shs5 trillion milk project through a cow-bank initiative aimed at mobilizing hundreds of Christians to rear cattle for large-scale milk production.
The "Big Fix" Holy Spirit Global Conference, hosted by Pastors Robert and Jessica Kayanja of Robert Kayanja Ministries, has brought together Christians from Uganda and beyond for a week of worship, fellowship, teaching, and spiritual renewal. The conference aims to foster spiritual growth, community building, and economic empowerment among participants. Museveni's address emphasized the importance of integrating faith and economic development to promote sustainable growth and poverty reduction.
The conference and Museveni's address highlight the intersection of faith and economic development in Uganda. The government's efforts to promote economic integration, value addition, and wealth creation are critical to Uganda's development agenda. As the country seeks to harness the potential of regional and continental markets, initiatives such as the AfCFTA and the East African Community aim to enhance economic cooperation and competitiveness among member states.
Key points
- Museveni urges Christians to focus on wealth creation and production to improve household incomes and livelihoods.
- The President emphasizes the importance of Africa's growing population as a significant market for locally produced goods and services.
- Museveni commends Pastor Robert Kayanja for demonstrating an approach that supports development and wealth creation in Karamoja.
