Moroto Catholics celebrate 50 years

President Yoweri Museveni has said that the Government disarmament program has quelled the insecurity, which had hampered any meaningful socio-economic activity from taking place in the Karamoja region.

He told the people of karamoja that although there now exists emerging challenges, the people in Karamoja can work without fear adding that the situation has opened a lot of opportunities in the area, which he said will go a long way in positively impacting the lives of people in the region.

In a speech read for him by the Vice-President, Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi, at the celebrations marking the Golden Jubilee of the Religious Missionary Institute of the Apostles of Jesus at Natinget in Moroto, the President reiterated Government commitment in ensuring that the other areas of concern are addressed, but urged leaders to mobilise the people of Karamoja into viable production.

Museveni lauded the church as a reliable partner of Government in providing social services for economic transformation and human development and urged youth in the area to take advantage of especially the abundant education opportunities to attain skills for gainful employment and personal entrepreneurship.

 Vice-President Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi escorted by Rev. Fr. Joseph Kyeyune, Regional Superior of the Apostles of Jesus (on his left) and the Bishop of the Ecclessiastical Province of Moroto Diocese, Damiano Giulio Guzzetti (on his right) after the golden jubilee commemorations 

The President called upon the church leadership to continue mobilising their followers into sustainable income generating activities and self-reliance and continue being agents of positive change in society beyond evangelism, teaching and discipleship.

He also urged political leaders to sensitise their people to take advantage of Government programs like Operation for Wealth Creation to facilitate people overcome poverty by improving their household production systems.

The President who gave 20 million shillings towards the parish library reminded the people to maintain peace and security saying NRM Government shall remain focused on defending people's safety and individual freedoms and also pledged Government support towards the paving of the road to the parish and telecom communication services in the area.

According to Moroto Dioceses Bishop, Damiano Guzzetti the Religious Missionary Institute of the Apostles of Jesus was founded in 1968 by Italian missionaries and was the first Catholic contact among the communities in the Karamoja region.

The colourful celebration held under the theme: remembering the past with gratitude, at the parish grounds on the outskirts of Moroto town and presided over Moroto Dioceses Bishop, Damiano Guzzetti was attended by delegations from USA, UK, The Congo, Italy and Kenya and attracted several hundreds of catholic faithful from the Karamoja region.