On October 24, 2026, Uganda's Minister for the Presidency, Hon. Babirye Milly Babalanda, addressed a Sabbath service at Buwagi Seventh-day Adventist Church in Jinja City. She emphasized the importance of combining faith with hard work, financial discipline, and productive agriculture to eradicate household poverty and improve livelihoods. Minister Babalanda, who is also the Director for the SDA Busoga Women Field, delivered a message on faithful giving and responsible utilization of blessings.
Minister Babalanda conveyed greetings from President Gen. (Rtd.) Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, First Lady Maama Janet Kataaha Museveni, and other high-ranking officials. She encouraged the congregation to support the Church's development through voluntary contributions, stressing that every contribution, regardless of size, advances God's work and strengthens the Church's service to the community. The Minister's address was part of her efforts to promote spiritual and socio-economic well-being in the community.
Minister Babalanda highlighted the need for believers to move beyond prayer and towards productive work, responsible decision-making, and effective resource utilization. She suggested that households can improve their economic circumstances by adopting a culture of saving, reinvesting earnings, and establishing productive enterprises. By working together towards shared economic goals, families can overcome poverty and create sustainable opportunities for future generations.
The Minister urged believers to participate in Government wealth-creation initiatives with discipline and accountability. She emphasized that these programs deliver meaningful results when beneficiaries establish viable enterprises rather than treating support as short-term consumption. Minister Babalanda also cautioned against excessive land fragmentation, which can reduce land available for productive agriculture and undermine family economic potential.
Minister Babalanda recommended the Four-Acre Model as a practical approach to food security and wealth creation. This model involves allocating land for coffee or cocoa, fruit farming, food crops, and pasture to support dairy farming and livestock enterprises. She stressed that activities should be adapted to land size, local conditions, and market demand, and encouraged improved practices, proper planning, and value addition to move households beyond subsistence to sustainable commercial farming.
The Minister particularly encouraged women to believe in their abilities, work hard, and participate actively in economic activities. She observed that when women are involved in wealth creation, families are better placed to improve living standards, educate children, and secure a stable future. Minister Babalanda urged families and communities to support women's economic participation and recognize their contribution to household and national development.
As part of her contribution to the Church's development, Minister Babalanda donated Shs 4 million towards its development initiatives. She concluded by urging Ugandans to remain steadfast in faith, generous in giving, and diligent in work while embracing productive agriculture and wealth-creation initiatives. The Minister commended the leadership and congregation of Buwagi SDA Church for their commitment to worship, fellowship, and community service.
Key points
- Minister Babalanda emphasizes combining faith with hard work and financial discipline to eradicate household poverty.
- The Minister recommends the Four-Acre Model as a practical approach to food security and wealth creation.
- Minister Babalanda encourages women to participate actively in economic activities to improve household livelihoods.
