By: Ismael Kasooha
MASAKA
President Yoweri Museveni has asked Christians to be agents of change in society.
“You should not be limited to spiritual evangelism. The total Ministry of Jesus Christ involves catering also for the material needs of our people. The religious leaders should continue mobilizing communities to be active participants in Government programs geared towards eradicating poverty at household level,” said Museveni.
The President said that the leadership of National Resistance Movement (NRM) had laid the foundation for socio-economic transformation by securing the entire country; building roads, hospitals, schools, water sources, dams to generate electricity and other public services.
“However, these economic advantages, that the NRM has created, must be translated into jobs and wealth for the households, in order for this development to be meaningful. The Parish Development Model and the wealth funds, are aimed at increasing the number of wealth creators engaged in production, in the four sectors of: commercial agriculture, industries, services and ICT,” noted Museveni.
This was contained in the President’s message delivered for him by Rt. Hon. Nabbanja Robinah, the Prime Minister of Uganda during the 125 years’ celebrations for Naruzali Catholic Parish in Masaka District.
The president congratulated Masaka Diocese and Naruzali Parish in particular for celebrating 125 years preaching the word of God.
“I join you to thank the Almighty God for 125 years of Narozari Catholic Parish. This is a remarkable milestone worth celebrating. We also thank God for the vision and missionary zeal of the White Fathers, who founded the Parish, in 1900. Through the years, the Lord has enabled the Parish fulfill its mission of winning souls, to the path of righteousness and salvation,” the statement read in part.
The President commended the Catholic Church for playing an active role in shaping the morals of society, by condemning social ills like corruption, child abuse and sacrifices, early marriages, sexual perversions among others.
“I also thank the Catholic Church leadership for spearheading developmental projects, in the communities. Faith-based institutions have supplemented Government efforts to raise people’s standards of living, by extending health and educational services near the people. I thank you for ensuring that your followers achieve decent standards of living here on earth,” he noted.
Museveni said that Jesus Christ should serve as an example to all the believers and explained that the Scriptures show that besides fasting and prayer, Jesus also healed the physical ailments of the blind, lame, lepers, deaf, etc.
“Additionally, he earned his bread by working alongside his father Joseph as a carpenter. Jesus was not a passive bystander or spectator in the development process of his society. He worked for both the spiritual and socio-economic uplift of society. This is what all Christians must emulate,” advised Museveni.
The President noted that the benefits of development and socio-economic transformation are enjoyed by all people regardless of their religious identity or tribe or region.
“There is no religion or tribe that does not need a good road or a hospital or a school. It is in the best interest of everybody that Uganda continues to accelerate towards modernity, development and political stability,” he said.
The Bishop of Masaka Diocese Rt. Rev. Silverious Jjumba described Narozali as an important place in the Catholic faith in the country.
“This place is very special to the Catholic Church because this is where the white fathers started ‘testing’ whether the local priests could manage the Parish and indeed they succeeded,” said Jjumba.
Bishop Jjumba challenged Christians to be with true hope in God and not false hope and appealed to parents to educate their children.
“People should know that education is key in transforming the society but some people have neglected this norm,” he said.
The Pokino of Buddu County Jude Muleke asked the people of Masaka to desist from environmental degradation for posterity.
Various dignitaries graced the celebrations including the former Vice President Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi, Members of Parliament, local leaders and contestants for various positions.
END
