By: Ismael Kasooha

MBARARA

President Yoweri Museveni has hailed the Catholic Charismatic Movement for shaping the morals of society to produce God fearing citizens in the country.

“I want to commend the Catholic Charismatic Movement for playing an active role in shaping the morals of society, by condemning social ills like corruption, child abuse and human sacrifices, early marriages, sexual perversions among others,” said Museveni.

The Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Nabbanja Robinah being welcomed by parishioners at the Catholic Charismatic Reneway Dawn in Mbarara where she represented H.E the President Yoweri Museveni at the function

The President thanked the Charismatic 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 said.

The President’s message was delivered by the Prime Minister of Uganda Robinah Nabbanja during the New Dawn Conference for Mbarara Archdiocese held at Karama Spiritual Renewal Center in Mbarara City.

The conference ran under the theme “Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day”, derived from John 6:53-54 and was graced by thousands of parishioners from within and outside Uganda.

The President Charismatic joined Catholics to thank the Almighty God for 52 years of the Spiritual Renewal Catholic Movement.

“This is a remarkable milestone. We also thank God for the vision and missionary zeal of the White Fathers, who founded the Parish, in 1973. 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.

Museveni said that Jesus Christ should serve as an example to all the believers to work for better livelihoods and development.

The Archbishop Mbarara Archidiocese His Grace Lambert Bainomugisha and the visiting Polish Bishop Andrew talking to the Prime Minister of Uganda Robinah Nabbanja after planting trees at Yesu Ahurire

“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,” he noted.

Museveni said that the benefits of development and socio-economic transformation are enjoyed by all people regardless of their religious identity or tribe or region.

He emphasized that 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.

The Premier Robinah Nabbanja planting a tree during the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Dawn in Mbarara

Therefore, I urge all Christians to continue being agents of positive 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 president noted.

Museveni appealed to religious leaders to continue mobilizing communities to be active participants in Government programs geared towards eradicating poverty at household level.

“The leadership of National Resistance Movement (NRM), has 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,” he noted.

He said that the Parish Development Model and the wealth creation funds, are aimed at increasing the number of wealth creators engaged in production, in the four sectors of: commercial agriculture, industries, services and ICT.

The President said that from the beginning, the NRM Government has been preoccupied with initiating people-centred policies and programmes with the aim of transforming Uganda from a predominantly peasant and undeveloped society to one which is modern and prosperous.

Bishop Andrew from Poland watering a tree that he planted at Yesu Ahurire in Mbarara as the Rt. Hon Prime Minister, the Archbishop of Mbarara and other dignitaries look on

“This has been achieved through: building a disciplined army to defend Ugandans and their property; developing the private sector; promoting Patriotism and Pan-Africanism to guarantee a big market for our goods and services; introducing free education i.e. UPE and USE; providing free medicine in hospitals and mass immunization; prioritizing infrastructure development projects like roads; commercialization of Agriculture among others,” he said.

Museveni said that a firm foundation has been built for the prosperity of all Ugandans.

“Point No.5 of the NRM Ten-Point Programme is security. Without peace and security of Ugandans and their property, economic and social transformation would be almost impossible. That is why security is fundamental to our success as a nation,” he noted.

H.E. the President challenged believers that this is a moment to reflect on how far God has brought Charismatic Catholic, from its humble beginnings and look forward to greater things ahead.

The Archbishop of Mbarara Archdiocese His Grace Lambert Bainomugisha hailed the Government for the developmental programmes aimed at empowering parishioners financially.

The dioceses that make up the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Mbarara in Uganda are Hoima, Fort Portal, Kasese and Kabale.

Bishop Andrew from Poland was the special guest during the conference who appealed to believers to be committed to their Lord.

Rev. Fr. Dr. John Baptist Bashobora, the Spiritual Director Catholic Charismatic Renewal Mbarara Archdiocese lauded Government for supporting Church projects such as construction of the storied building for Karama primary school, tarmacking the road to the parish among other projects.

Bashobora requested the President to help the Archdiocese construct a modern shade for the spiritual healing center and extend the tarmac to cover the entire stretch.

The President contributed sh160m towards the development of the facility.

END