Fight poverty, Museveni urges religious leaders

President Yoweri Museveni has called on religious leaders to inculcate a culture of work among their followers urging them to lead by example just as Jesus did.
 

“Jesus Christ preached the gospel, healed the sick, fed the hungry and worked as a carpenter with His father. If religious leaders all talk about working to fight poverty alongside their preaching, it would help to fight poverty. You should show them how to work and feed themselves,” he said.

 

 

The President was the chief guest at centenary celebrations (1901-2011) of Our Lady and St. Joseph Kamuli Catholic Parish in Kamuli district. 
 

The celebrations were held under the theme, “The Spirit of the Lord is Upon Me. Luke 4:18” and the main celebrant was Emmanuel Cardinal Wamala. The celebrations which were attended by thousands of Catholics including members of parliament, FDCs Kassiano Wadri, Salaam Musumba and UPCs Peter Walubiri among others also saw six couples exchange their marriage vows.
 

The President called on local leaders to monitor district funds, adding that there is no reason why money meant for development at the district is misappropriated when it’s the responsibility of the leaders to ensure that it benefits the people.
 

“When we came out of the bush, we made sure that the people elect their own representatives including the LC5 chairpersons, LC3 chairpersons and members of parliament. How does money get lost when all these people are here? This is the first government to send free money to the grassroots to enable people improve their incomes. Before governments would only make roads and stop there,” he said.

 

 

The President said he would support the idea of Churches and religious leaders benefiting from the NAADS programme to start income generating activities that their followers can learn from.
 

“If NAADS gives some of the money to religious institutions, it can be used much better than some of the methods we have been having. NAADS has been having challenges because the people we put there end up putting holes in the programme. But we shall try to send the money through Churches so that they can teach the people how to fight poverty,” he said.
 

The President said he would investigate reasons as to why the Jinja-Kamuli road is in a sorry state even after a contractor had already been identified to do the job. He pledged to handle the issue of an ambulance for the parish as a matter of priority. On water, he said he would work with district leaders to ensure solve the water crisis here. 

 

 President Yoweri Museveni greeting Prince of Bugabula William Nadiope IV at Buyende district HQs during the launch of development programs in Buyende district

 

The President later donated 50 million shillings towards the renovation of the Church.
 

The Parish Priest Charles Bikina said they needed over 85 million shillings to renovate the 100 year old structures at the parish and over 600 million to construct a park to mark the 100 years of the Church in Kamuli. He commended government for its support towards health and education institutions in the district.
 

The Member of Parliament for Bugabula North Andrew Allen hailed the President for his support towards the Institution of the Kyabazinga, adding that they had already received 90 million shillings towards the construction of the Kings palace.