Ugandan Minister for the Presidency, Hon. Babirye Milly Babalanda, has praised President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government for protecting freedom of worship in the country. She made these remarks while officiating at a fundraising ceremony for the completion of Kkindu Catholic Church in Masaka, where she contributed UGX 5 million to the construction project. Babalanda expressed gratitude to former Vice President Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi and church leadership for inviting her to support the project.
Babalanda emphasized the importance of freedom of worship as a significant achievement under the NRM government, enabling religious institutions to fulfill their spiritual and community development responsibilities. She encouraged Christians to remain steadfast in prayer, uphold their faith, and actively support the Church. The Minister stressed that spiritual growth should go hand in hand with discipline, hard work, and responsible living. She also urged the congregation to embrace government wealth-creation initiatives, including the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga.
The Minister explained that these programs provide opportunities for individuals and households to engage in productive economic activities, increase their incomes, and progressively overcome poverty. She encouraged beneficiaries to utilize available resources responsibly rather than diverting them to unproductive expenditure. Babalanda commended the Katikkiro of Buganda, Owek. Charles Peter Mayiga, for championing the Emwanyi Terimba initiative and applauded the people of Masaka for embracing coffee growing as a viable pathway to household wealth creation.
Babalanda called upon religious and political leaders to take an active role in disseminating government wealth-creation messages at the grassroots, noting that churches and other religious institutions are strategic platforms for mobilizing communities towards socio-economic transformation. She challenged Ugandans, particularly leaders, to abandon complacency, embrace a culture of hard work, and join the fight against corruption. The Minister specifically urged Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) and other local government leaders to work closely with relevant authorities to identify and eliminate corrupt practices.
The Minister commended former Vice President Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi for his continued leadership and commitment to guiding the community towards strengthening its relationship with God, embracing hard work, and participating in productive economic activities. Babalanda reiterated that overcoming poverty requires a combination of faith, prayer, discipline, integrity, and deliberate participation in income-generating activities. She urged Ugandans not to remain spectators in their own economic transformation.
Babalanda's UGX 5 million contribution towards the completion of Kkindu Catholic Church reaffirmed her commitment to supporting religious institutions and their contribution to spiritual growth, moral guidance, and community development. The Minister's address emphasized the importance of complementing faith with practical actions to achieve socio-economic transformation. Her call to action resonated with the congregation, who are expected to take an active role in wealth creation and poverty alleviation.
The event demonstrated the collaboration between government officials and religious leaders in promoting socio-economic development in Uganda. Babalanda's message is expected to inspire Christians and other stakeholders to participate in government programs aimed at reducing poverty and improving livelihoods. The Minister's visit to Masaka and her contribution to the Kkindu Catholic Church project underscored the government's commitment to supporting community development initiatives.
Key points
- Minister Babalanda challenges Christians to complement their faith with hard work and participation in government wealth-creation programs.
- The Minister praises President Museveni for protecting freedom of worship in Uganda.
- Babalanda urges leaders to join the fight against corruption and promote a culture of hard work.
