Let's fight all vices in Uganda — Museveni

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President Yoweri Museveni has commended the Busoga Consortium for Development (BCD) for its annual Busoga Prayer Week, saying that prayer is a powerful tool to strengthen people spiritually and shape society's moral fabric.

The President notes that as leaders both in the Government and in the Church, they carry the responsibility to set a positive example for the people they serve. 

"As we come together in prayer, let us come together in action to fight all vices in our country," he says, adding: “This Busoga prayer week is a timely reminder that development cannot happen in isolation, it requires collaboration between leaders, communities and institutions—it requires a shared vision for the future where both spiritual and physical needs are met,” he says.

Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja (2nd L) reading President Yoweri Museveni's speech during the 3rd edition of the Busoga Prayer Week. (Photo by Donald Kiirya)

Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja delivered the President’s message during the culmination of the 3rd Busoga Inter-denominational prayer assembly at the Luuka district ceremonial grounds in Kiyunga town council on Sunday (October 20, 2024).

Fighting all vices in Uganda

Hundreds of people attended the prayers, including clerics from the Busoga Inter-Religious Council led by their chairperson and also Busoga diocesan bishop Paul Samson Naimanhye, politicians and cultural leaders.  

The Inter-denominational service was led by East Busoga Diocese Bishop Paul Hannington Suubi and was organised by Busoga Consortium for Development under the theme: Deepening Regional Cohesion as Foundation for Sustainable Household Transformation.

“This is a gesture of unity that the Holy books encourage us to have—and a portrayal of the true virtual of spirituality,” the President said.

President Museveni said he was glad that the nation is blessed with God-fearing people and they must all take on the mantle to serve God and the nation based on God’s principles, uprightness and justice to all mankind.

He said that the Church in Uganda must, therefore, position itself to participate actively in the socio-economic transformation of the society adding that it is incumbent on them as leaders at the helm of the churches to fully appreciate their role in this process.

NRM's focus

President Museveni further noted that since they took over power in 1986, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) has been steady fast and focused not only on security and peace but also on restoring democracy, consolidation of National Unity, defending National Independence, rebuilding the economy, improvement of the social services, elimination of corruption and promoting regional cooperation.

“I once again thank Busoga Consortium for Development for organising the Busoga Week Inter-denominational assembly and for mobilising people to pray and I encourage you to continue raising the standards among the youth who are the highest percentage of our nation by preaching moral uprightness and integrity as a foundation for the progressive nation,” the President said.

He further saluted all people who have made sacrifices to lay a foundation for peace, security and stability in the country.

Later, Nabbanja handed over a cash envelope of sh20 million from President Museveni to the First deputy Prime Minister and Minister of East African Community Affairs, Rebecca Kadaga. She also handed over her sh5 million contribution towards BCD.

Appeal for road construction

Kadaga, requested the Government, through Prime Minister Nabbanja, to tarmac the three road projects which include the Walugogo-Busalamu-Bulopa-Budumbula road, the Ambercourt-Nankandulo-Mbulamuti-Kamuli-Bukungu road and the Jinja-Kampala express highway.

She requested leaders, especially the Members of Parliament and district LC5 chairpersons to sensitise people who stay along the three road projects to donate their land so that the roads are tarmacked because the Government doesn't have money to compensate them.

Kadaga further thanked the Government for the two ferries at Bukungu landing site and reminded it (government) to construct a sugarcane factory for Busoga because the land is available in Ikumbya and Naigobya in Luuka district and President Museveni had promised to construct it.

First deputy Prime Minister and Minister of East African Community Affairs Rebecca Kadaga (L), Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja (2nd L), third deputy Prime Minister Rukia Nakadama (M), Minister for the Presidency Milly Babirye Babalanda (2nd R) and Busoga Kingdom's Prime Minister Dr. Joseph Muvawala (R) attending the 3rd edition of the Busoga Prayer Week. (Photo by Donald Kiirya)

She also raised the issue of UPDF marines harassing fishermen by chasing them out of the Lake and halting the fishing of silver fish (Mukene) and requested the government to act accordingly so that the issues are solved.

Development agenda

BCD director general Anthony Mula said in 2020, the consortium launched the 10-year Busoga Development Agenda (BDA) and in 2022, they launched its implementation containing 10 pillars including education, health, infrastructure, industrialisation and development of ObwaKyabazinga Bwa Busoga among others.

Mula requested that Cabinet makes a memo to see that BDA is recognised and supported by the Government adding that once supported, Busoga will be the model region in the transformation of Uganda within the 10 years of BDA and through the Village Agricultural Model (VAM) programme.

Bishop Suubi encouraged the people of Busoga to work as a team, promote unity to build cohesion in order to enhance development and harmony in the region.

During the service, the clergy conducted various prayers which included praying for ObwaKyabazinga Bwa Busoga Institution; consolidation of the reconciliation and cohesion of Busoga at the ministerial, parliamentary caucus and local government levels; prayer for the young generation of Busoga; prayer for the land of Busoga to be fruitful; prayer for the revival of Busoga’s economy and progressive implementation of the Busoga Development Agenda and a Godly spiritual atmosphere over the land of Busoga among others.

Present at the prayer assembly included, Minister for the Presidency Milly Babirye Babalanda, agriculture state minister Fred Bwino Kyakulaga, senior presidential advisor on poverty in charge eastern region Florence Mutyabule, Busoga Kingdom premier Dr Joseph Muvawala.

Others were Issabalangira of Busoga Samuel Zirabamuzale Menhya and other Busoga Royal Chiefs, chairperson organising committee of the Busoga Prayer Week also Luuka South legislator Stephen Kisa, MPs and leaders from various local governments, among others.