Nekesa Urges Churches to Champion Poverty Eradication and National Unity

Hon. Amb. Barbara Nekesa Oundo, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) National Treasurer, has urged religious leaders in Uganda to complement their spiritual responsibilities with efforts to promote economic empowerment and poverty eradication. She made the call while presiding as Guest of Honour at a fundraising dinner organised by Kazo Seventh-day Adventist Church at Hotel Africana's Volta Hall on Thursday, November 5, 2026.

The fundraising dinner sought to raise UGX150 million to facilitate the purchase of land adjoining the church premises to provide additional space for expansion, construction of a pastor's residence, and development of adequate parking facilities. Nekesa applauded the NRM government, particularly President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, for maintaining an environment that allows Ugandans to freely practise their different religious beliefs without discrimination.

Nekesa commended the government's recognition of the importance of faith and spirituality in national development, emphasising that God remains central to the country's survival and progress. She urged Ugandans to remain prayerful and acknowledge God's intervention in the country's history, particularly during challenging periods marked by public health emergencies such as nodding disease in Northern Uganda, Ebola outbreaks, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

The NRM National Treasurer further called on religious leaders to work closely with government in sensitising citizens about poverty eradication, arguing that economic empowerment is essential for communities to meaningfully participate in development and support religious activities. She challenged church leaders to use their platforms to encourage their congregations to work hard, embrace productive activities, and take advantage of government development initiatives aimed at improving household incomes.

Nekesa emphasised that while faith provides spiritual guidance and prepares believers for everlasting life, financial resources are equally necessary to sustain religious institutions and facilitate their activities. She observed that churches require resources to construct and maintain places of worship, support their leaders, undertake community programmes, and extend their services to more people.

Beyond economic empowerment, Nekesa called on religious leaders to intensify messages of unity, togetherness, and peaceful coexistence, warning against individuals and groups whose statements and actions promote division within communities. She encouraged religious leaders to provide their congregations with a common message that brings people together regardless of their religious, cultural, ethnic, or political differences.

The Kazo Seventh-day Adventist Church fundraising dinner brought together church leaders, members, invited guests, and well-wishers to mobilise financial support for the congregation's planned expansion. The UGX150 million fundraising target is intended to secure the adjoining land, which the church considers important for accommodating its growing needs, including additional space for worship-related activities, a pastor's residence, and parking facilities.

Key points

• Nekesa urges churches to promote economic empowerment and poverty eradication alongside spiritual responsibilities.
• The NRM National Treasurer commends the government's role in promoting religious freedom and national development.
• The fundraising dinner aimed to raise UGX150 million for the church's expansion plans.