President Yoweri Museveni has called on religious leaders to guide their congregations towards financial stability, emphasizing that having devout but impoverished Christians is detrimental.
In a speech delivered by Parliament Speaker Anita Among during the Uganda Martyrs Day celebrations at the Anglican Site in Namugongo, Museveni stressed the importance of balancing spiritual nourishment with the ability to meet physical needs such as shelter, food, clothing, education, and health.
“I would like to use this occasion to remind Christians to work hard to achieve decent and prosperous lives here on earth. I urge religious leaders to emphasize the fact that man has both spiritual and physical needs,” Museveni’s speech read.
Ms. Among represented the President at the Anglican site while he attended the celebrations at the Uganda Catholic Martyrs Shrine nearby. She highlighted that meeting physical needs is crucial for a fulfilling and productive life in a modern economy.
“In a modern economy, you cannot obtain the goods and services necessary to sustain life without money,” she said, reinforcing Museveni’s message to eliminate “moneylessness.”
The President reiterated his advice to engage in profitable enterprises such as commercial agriculture, industries, services, and ICT to create wealth, generate jobs, and stimulate economic growth.
Museveni also addressed both Anglican and Catholic congregations, urging them to embrace the gospel of wealth creation while maintaining Uganda’s stance against homosexuality despite Western backlash following the enactment of the Anti-Homosexuality Act. He drew parallels between the martyrdom of Ugandan Christians in the late 19th century and the triumph of correct ideas over resistance.
“The teachings of Christianity are beneficial for every individual and society. The Gospel helps to cultivate a fear of God and love for other people, regardless of tribe, region, or religion,” he noted, adding that the non-sectarian principles of his National Resistance Movement align with biblical teachings of loving one’s neighbor.
Museveni linked various societal evils like corruption and embezzlement to a lack of Godly guidance, asserting that “the fear of God imparts honesty, integrity, and self-control.”
Nigerian primate Henry Ndukuba, the guest preacher, denounced homosexuality as an “abomination” and praised the Church of Uganda for its firm stance against it, a position supported by the Ugandan government through the anti-gay law.
Parliament Speaker Among echoed this sentiment, stating, “Those who stand for the truth are criticized, misunderstood, opposed, and sanctioned, but we want to tell Ugandans that we shall stand for the truth for the good of humanity.”
Amid international sanctions and accusations from the British and US governments, which claim Ugandan officials are corrupt and abuse rights, Among rejected these allegations as a Western witch hunt in retaliation for her role in passing the Anti-Homosexuality Act.
At the celebrations, Church of Uganda Archbishop Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu thanked Christians for helping repay a loan from Equity Bank used to construct the Janani Luwum Church House on Kampala Road. “The debt is fully paid! We thank Equity Bank Limited for their patience and partnership,” he announced.
Additionally, Archbishop Kaziimba launched a book by former Finance Minister and ex-Makerere University Chancellor, Dr. Ezra Suruma. The book chronicles the story of the Uganda Martyrs and addresses some of the country’s persistent problems, advocating for integrity in public service as a solution to corruption and poverty.
