Soroti Anglican Diocese Bishop, Kosea Odongo, has challenged the people of Teso to make wealth through hard work.

Odongo, who was leading prayers at St Peter's Cathedral in Soroti City on New Year's Day, said many Christians are poor because they do not want to work.

A lady praying at St Peter's Cathedral Soroti to usher in the new year.

“I call upon all the faithful in the Lord to discard the spirit of laziness and embrace the spirit of hard work. We must create wealth and wealth does not come with idleness, it comes with hard work,” Odongo said.

He also preached for unity and harmony among the people of Teso as one way the region can develop.

“Let us all also refuse the spirit of acrimony and embrace the spirit of harmony because the spirit of acrimony will only destroy us,” Odongo told his congregation.

He dedicated the families of those who lost their loved ones last year to God and prayed that God protects people from accidents and illnesses that have caused suffering among the people.

Teso last year lost two leaders in a space of one week that involved Bukedea district chairperson Moses Olemukan (liver cancer) and later the demise of Serere County Member of Parliament Bishop Patrick Okabe and his wife in a motor accident.