Museveni urges clergy to use sermons in HIV/AIDS fight

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SOROTI - President Yoweri Museveni has asked religious leaders to continue sensitizing communities against the HIV/AIDS scourge.

"We cannot campaign enough against the HIV/AIDS scourge, which has taken most of our productive people and left child-headed homes," the President said.

He asked the clergy to use every opportunity they have to sensitise the community through sermons, pastoral visits, and conferences to campaign against the scourge.

The President made the remarks in a speech read for him by the Vice President Jessica Alupo at a thanksgiving service for the Rt. Rev. Kosea Odongo, five years since his enthronement as Bishop of Soroti Diocese.

The colourful event took place at St. Peter's Cathedral, Soroti Diocese.

The President commended Soroti diocese for their participation in community Healthcare programmes for immunisation against killer diseases, antenatal care for expectant mothers, family planning, and HIV/AIDS sensitisation.

He stressed that the revival which has swept through the church should continue to be rekindled towards socio-economic transformation. 

He congratulated bishop Kosea upon this milestone of accomplishment since his enthronement and prayed that he continues in the same spirit of causing change for the benefit of all.

"Today we are thanking God for enabling his servant to lead the people in Soroti Diocese and all those who have been seeking his counsel in various ways. He has nurtured and led God’s people and the milestone he celebrating today is a testimony of wisdom and ability to lean on God for strength," Museveni said.

He lauded Soroti diocese for the work done in developing the community both spiritually and socio-economically since its inception.

Museveni lauded Soroti diocese for the work done in developing the community both spiritually and socio-economically since its inception.

"I wish to commend the Soroti Diocese leadership and all faithful and indeed the entire Church of Uganda," he said.

He told the congregation that as the NRM leadership, they are advocating for hard work in order to banish poverty from their households.

He explained that while government is undertaking major infrastructure projects in energy, oil and gas, railway, roads, ICT, among other sectors, all Ugandans are expected to work hard and engage in financial generating activities.

The NRM government has introduced Parish Development Model (PDM) Emyooga and the Operation Wealth Creation initiatives to enable Ugandans to alleviate poverty out of their households.

Government also began equipping artisan groups with machines, empowering women groups under the Women Entrepreneurship Program as well as skilling the youth under the State House Skilling program and Presidential skilling hubs in a number of regions.

He told the congregation that many of them have witnessed the above and that as government they shall continue with such programs until the lives of Ugandans are transformed.

He emphasized that it is incumbent upon all religious leaders, educationists, policymakers, civil society, development stakeholders to work towards the goal of eradicating poverty and improving household incomes.

"You should take advantage of their source of land and agricultural modern techniques of farming to ensure that you improve yield even if you are engaged in domestic food growing," Museveni said.

Dr. Kenneth Ongalo-Obote congratulated bishop Kosea and applauded all partners and stakeholders in church development and growth for aiding developmental projects in the Diocese.

He noted that with continued strategic planning, our people shall benefit much from church projects, whether they are Christians or not.