PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has called on Ugandans and all religious leaders to support the people of Southern Sudan following a referendum that saw over 98.8 percent of the voters opt for secession, making Southern Sudan the newest country in the world.

During the two decades of war between the Sudan People Liberation Army (SPLA) in the south and the Sudanese government, thousands of Sudanese fled to neighbouring Uganda to seek refuge.

The President was meeting religious leaders from all major faiths in Uganda at State House in Entebbe. He urged them to caution opposition politicians against spreading lies about government and the President as an individual, adding that such lies including claims that he has sold Lake Kyoga, the oil fields and land, can be a source of conflict.

The religious leaders’ delegation was led by His Eminence Metropolitan Jonah Lwanga, the Archbishop of Uganda Orthodox Church and the Chairman Council of Presidents [COP] and Inter Religious Council of Uganda [IRCU]

President Museveni said his government has managed to stabilize Uganda because they believe in a combination of the old and new testaments including forgiveness, mercy and unity, something which has made the NRM the peasants' party and the most popular party in the country today.

On human killings and trafficking that are on the increase, President Museveni told the religious leaders that the judiciary which keeps giving criminals bail frustrates the police which do its work well and in time. He said the NRM government is against giving bail to criminals who commit rape, murder and defilement.

He urged the religious leaders to use their influence to deepen the essential elements of religion by encouraging the youth to effectively engage in income generating projects.

His Grace Henry Luke Orombi thanked the President for the privilege to dialogue with him and for the support the NRM government has given the people of Southern Sudan over the years as they struggled for peace. He prayed for a peaceful election period that will leave Uganda a united and peaceful place on which others can always lean on.

The Mufti of Uganda Sheik Ramadhan Shaban Mubaje in a closing prayer implored God for a peaceful and credible end to the election period for all Ugandans.

The meeting was attended by Archbishop Emeritus Emmanuel Cardinal Wamala, Pastor Dr. John Kakembo, the president Seventh day Adventist Uganda Union, Rt.Rev. Zac Niringiye Assistant Bishop of Kampala Diocese and chairman IRCU Task Force for Peace and conflict Transformation and several officials from Inter-Religious Council of Uganda.