President Museveni has called on religious leaders to promote commercial agriculture, industry and ICT as ways of increasing household incomes and fighting poverty, as Catholics opened a new church in Kiruhura District.
President Museveni has urged church leaders to encourage Christians to engage in income-generating activities, saying wealth creation is essential to reducing household poverty and improving livelihoods.
Museveni said commercial agriculture, industry and information and communication technology (ICT) offered opportunities for families to increase their incomes, create jobs and achieve economic independence.
In a message delivered by State Minister for Trade, Industry and Cooperatives David Bahati during the opening of St Peter’s Church at Kitura Catholic Parish in Kiruhura District on Sunday, October 25, the President called on religious leaders to promote hard work and productive economic activities among believers.
“Church leaders should encourage Christians to engage in income-generating activities such as commercial agriculture, industry and ICT to improve household incomes and fight poverty,” Museveni said.
He cited modern dairy and beef farming as enterprises that could help households increase their earnings and improve their standards of living.
The President also challenged church leaders to encourage Christians to balance spiritual growth with economic responsibility, urging believers to pursue productive work while upholding their faith.
“Christians should draw inspiration from the life of Jesus Christ by upholding spiritual values, working hard and taking responsibility for the welfare of their families and communities,” he said.
During the Mass, Archbishop Lambert Bainomugisha of the Catholic Archdiocese of Mbarara thanked the President for supporting the Church.
“We thank the President for his support and for standing with the Church as we continue our mission of serving the people,” Bainomugisha said.
Kashongi County Member of Parliament Genesio Tumuramye also thanked Catholic faithful and other contributors who participated in the construction of the church.
“I thank all the believers and everyone who contributed towards the construction of this church. Their generosity and commitment have made it possible for us to celebrate the completion of this place of worship,” Tumuramye said.
He added that more than Shs50 million had been collected during the event, which he said demonstrated the faithful’s commitment to supporting the Church.
The opening of St Peter’s Church at Kitura Catholic Parish attracted Catholic faithful, religious leaders and other dignitaries who gathered to celebrate the completion of the new place of worship.