Busoga launches fourth prayer week to drive economic growth

She called for unity across political, religious and district boundaries, emphasising that religious leaders should use their pulpits to champion government programmes aimed at eradicating poverty.

"We need to encourage our religious leaders to use the pulpit to champion government wealth creation initiatives, such as the Parish Development Model (PDM) and commercial agriculture," she stated.

Nakadama also outlined seven strategic development pillars aimed at achieving the region's Vision 2030 goals. These focus on agricultural commercialisation, education and skills development, tourism and heritage, environmental sustainability, private sector revitalisation, healthcare improvement, and tracking government manifesto commitments.

“This time, our fourth edition, we are not merely repeating the edition; we are elevating our ambition… The theme for this year’s prayer week is both timely and transformative, laying the foundation for Busoga as a model leading economy for Uganda by 2030. This theme directly aligns with the National Development Plan and the government’s strategic direction under the leadership of President Yoweri Museveni,” she observed.

Nakadama, who is also the chairperson of the BCD Ministerial Committee, stressed that prayer must be matched with action.

“Prayer without work is incomplete. Faith must be accompanied by enterprise, hard work, integrity and strategic planning. Our scripture from Nehemiah 2:18 captures our exact mandate: ‘So they said, Let us rise up and build.’ Then they set their hands to this good work,” she said.

She outlined seven pillars for the next five years, including commercialisation of agriculture, education and skills development, tourism, culture and heritage, environmental sustainability, industrialisation and private sector growth, health improvement, and tracking government manifesto commitments to Busoga.

Nakadama called for community mobilisation across Busoga not only to pray but also to act, and thanked Vice President Jessica Alupo and other leaders for their consistent support.

Speaking at the same event, the director general of the Busoga Consortium for Development, Anthony Mula, stressed the need for tangible results as the region works towards achieving middle-income status.

"If the people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray... then I will hear from heaven and will heal their land," Mula cited from 2 Chronicles 7:14.

"Busoga has evolved; Busoga has got a new image and been rebranded. But now we need to see action on the ground so that the vision we share for 2030 can be actualised in time," Mula stated.

The chairperson of the Busoga Parliamentary Caucus, Stephen Kisa Bakubalwayo, highlighted the importance of cohesion among leaders, describing the prayer week as a vital platform for uniting the sub-region behind key infrastructure and economic projects.

"Our key objective for this prayer initiative is deepening regional cohesion as a foundation for sustainable household transformation," Kisa said.

Kisa, who was also re-elected chairperson of the organising committee for the fourth Busoga Prayer Week, said that if one member suffers, all members suffer with them, and if one member is honoured, all rejoice. He said leaders must therefore work together to improve living standards across the region.

Shabiru Isabirye, the deputy governor of the Busoga Consortium for Development, reflected on the progress made since the inaugural Prayer Week in 2022, citing improvements in education, health service delivery through the Busoga Education Initiative (BEI) and Busoga Health Forum (BHF), as well as expansion in international trade.

"Regional cohesion over the previous five years has grown stronger and more united than in the past—the Busoga Prayer Program has been defined as a key driver of regional unity. Together with central government support, our trade and investment initiatives are reviving Busoga's position as a major economic player," Isabirye noted.

Representing the BCD Inter-Religious Council, the Bishop of East Busoga Diocese, Hannington Suubi, pledged the clergy's commitment to promoting development alongside faith and called for stronger collaboration among regional stakeholders.

"We look forward to a much more united force this time around—as we look forward to working together as a team, spiritual renewal must ensure our development is grounded in righteousness, transparency, and justice," Bishop Suubi said.

Suubi also urged leaders to mobilise communities to provide meals for learners in schools, saying that without education, Busoga risks being left behind.

The Busoga Prayer Week has previously been hosted in Iganga (2022), Namayingo (2023) and Luuka (2024). The 2026 edition in Mayuge is expected to attract thousands of faithful, interfaith leaders and government officials from across Busoga and the rest of the country.