By: Ismael Kasooha

KAMPALA

President Yoweri Museveni has hailed the Church for mobilising the believers to participate in the wealth creation campaign.

“I want to thank the Church, for mobilising the believers to participate in the wealth creation campaign. The NRM Government has established a solid foundation for Uganda’s development and socio-economic transformation,” noted Museveni.

This was contained in the President’s message delivered for him by the Prime Minister of Uganda Rt. Hon. Nabbanja Robinah at the 125th Jubilee Celebrations for Lubaga Hospital at the hospital premises in Kampala.

Museveni said that Development alone is not enough, though it must come first.

PM Nabbanja at the commissioning of the Specialized Health facility at Lubaga

“Development is a collective good for everyone.  But, wealth and jobs belong to individuals, families, groups or companies. Therefore, I want to re-echo my message of wealth creation at the household level. There should not be spectators in the drive towards increasing the household incomes to make sure we eliminate subsistence farming,” the statement read in part.

The President noted that the four major sectors for creating wealth and jobs are commercial Agriculture, Industrialization, Services and ICT.

“I call upon all leaders to help our people identify profitable ventures in the four sectors. Government has put in place the wealth funds like EMYOOGA, Youth fund, PDM and many others, to support organised groups that are engaged in production,” he said.

The President thanked Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere, for extending a warm invitation to me, as they celebrated 125 years of Lubaga’s unwavering service to our communities.

“I congratulate Lubaga Hospital upon reaching this milestone of 125 years and pray for greater success in the years ahead,” he said.

 Lubaga Hospital started on 18th of October 1899 when six missionary sisters of our lady of Africa who arrived at Lubaga hill where they were given a plot of land by Kabaka Daudi Chwa.

 Beginning as an open air dispensary in the first few months, the facility grew to a twenty bed Hospital by 1900, and with the grace of God this journey of growth has since taken leaps and bounds to-date.

Being the second oldest Hospital in the country, it takes pride in having taken care of the health care needs of Ugandans for the last 125 years, through times of war, epidemics, natural disasters and now covid-19 pandemic. Presently, Lubaga Hospital is a 240 bed-capacity referral/tertiary facility unit offering a full range of specialised, super – specialized and transplant services, and with the vision of being “a state -of-the-art health care facility in Africa.

“For over a century, Lubaga Hospital has provided quality healthcare to our people. As we mark this significant milestone, we recognise the hospital’s commitment to excellence and its tireless efforts to improve healthcare outcomes for Ugandans. Lubaga hospital has progressed in pushing boundaries to save lives from providing neo-natal services to seeking accreditation for organ transplant operations. This is such a great achievement,” said the president.

The Prime Minister (centre) joins the clergy for a group photo at the newly commissioned Specialised Center at Lubaga Hospital

Museveni, in a special way, commended the leadership of the Catholic Church, for playing a central role in providing quality access to medical services to the people of Uganda.

“I thank the Church for its continued partnership with the Government, in the provision of social services, like education, healthcare, and housing. This is proof that the religious leaders are as much concerned about the physical well-being of the believers as they are about their souls,” he said.

The President further said that besides preparing the faithful for the Kingdom of Heaven, the Church is equally mandated with the responsibility of ensuring that the believers take care of their welfare here on earth.

“It is a sin for believers to neglect their bodies and allow themselves to be attacked by diseases, hunger, poverty, ignorance, etc. It is written in the Bible, in 1 Corinthians 6:19, that: “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own…” (NIV),” said Museveni.

He said that this is a command to all believers to take care of their bodies because they are divine gifts from God.

This is why besides fasting and prayer, our Lord Jesus Christ, also healed the physical ailments of the blind, the lame, deaf, etc. Therefore, I am happy that the Catholic Church is following in the footsteps of Jesus Christ, by providing health care services to the people,” he noted.

The President said that a healthy and educated population is the foundation for building a productive workforce for the country.

Government awarded for its unwavering support to Lubaga hospital

“Through the promotion of mass immunization campaigns, the NRM Government was able to wipe away the killer diseases like Polio, Measles, Tuberculosis, etc. However, there is a new threat of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) which are largely about lifestyle,” he said.

Museveni explained that these diseases are caused by inactivity coupled with over-eating.

“The good news is that these Non-Communicable Diseases are easy to prevent, by exercising more and watching their diet.  The increase in the cases of cancer, diabetes and heart diseases, especially in the urban areas is because people eat too much and do not exercise. I call upon all leaders to carry the message of sensitization about lifestyle change to curb these new killers among our people,” he said.

The Archbishop of Kampala Archdiocese Dr. Paul Ssemogerere lauded the Government of Uganda for its continued support to the hospital.

“Rt. Hon. Prime Minister we would like to thank you and the government for the contribution that we get as ably mentioned by the Chairman of Board. As you have heard a lot is needed and I will keep praying so that your efforts yield fruits,” said Ssemogerere.

Prof. Patrick Edrin Kyamanywa, the Chairman thanked the Central Government and Buganda Kingdom who have enabled them to stand.

“As a private not-for-profit hospital, you need to work with the Central Government because without that you remain an island, and many facilities and resources will not easily come your way. We are very fortunate that we still receive Primary Health Care (PHC) funds from the Central Government that in a way help us in the running of the hospital,” said Kyamanywa.

The Archbishop presented the Dr. Rita Moser award to the Government of Uganda for its special role in funding and fostering Lubaga hospital.

 End