Uganda’s Vice President Maj (Rtd) Jessica Alupo has challenged Christians across Uganda and East Africa to translate their spiritual growth into tangible economic progress, urging families to work harder to build stable, self-reliant and prosperous households.
Alupo said faith should not only transform people spiritually but should also inspire them to improve their livelihoods, increase household incomes and create better opportunities for their families.
“If you have spiritually seen the light, then you must do the same economically. You cannot see the spiritual light yet stay in economic darkness. You must push yourselves a little extra and improve your household incomes,” she said.
The Vice President made the remarks while representing President Yoweri Museveni at the opening of the 3rd East Africa Fire and Anointing Conference at Sharing Youth Centre in Nsambya, Kampala.
The conference, organised by Dr Michelle Corral, President and Founder of Breath of the Spirit Ministries, in partnership with Dr Ernest Benjamin Kivumbi, President of Heal The Planet Global Organization, brought together religious leaders from Uganda, across East Africa and beyond.
The gathering focused on faith, service, fellowship and practical ways through which religious communities can support vulnerable people and contribute to social transformation.
Alupo urged Christians to embrace hard work and economic empowerment as part of their responsibilities to their families and communities.
Her message placed emphasis on the need for households to move beyond spiritual wellbeing and actively pursue economic opportunities that can improve standards of living.
She also praised Dr Corral for her contribution to humanitarian work and community development in Uganda, East Africa and the wider African continent.
According to Alupo, Corral’s charity and empowerment initiatives demonstrate the principle of the Good Samaritan, whose example, she said, calls on people to extend compassion and support beyond boundaries of tribe, religion, race, gender or social status.
“Good neighbourliness, as demonstrated in Jesus’ parable, transcends the narrow confines of tribe, religion, race, gender and class. It is all-embracing; it does not discriminate against anyone,” Alupo said.
She said the universal nature of such teachings had contributed to the growth and spread of Christianity across the world.
The Vice President also used the occasion to reiterate the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government’s emphasis on non-sectarianism, saying Uganda’s development agenda is anchored on patriotism, Pan-Africanism, socio-economic transformation and democracy.
She said patriotism remains important for strengthening national unity and peaceful coexistence, while regional and continental integration provides an avenue for countries to pursue shared prosperity and security.
“Within Uganda, we promote patriotism to consolidate unity and peaceful co-existence among our people. Outside Uganda, we advocate for East African and African cooperation and integration as a strategy for guaranteeing greater prosperity and security,” she said.
During the conference, Dr Michelle Corral urged believers to use their achievements and resources to create opportunities for others, rather than viewing success solely as a personal accomplishment.
“My success is not about me, but it’s about opening doors for others,” Corral told the congregation.
She also commended Uganda for its longstanding policy of hosting refugees and highlighted the importance of supporting communities affected by displacement.
Uganda hosts one of Africa’s largest refugee populations, with close to two million refugees, mainly from South Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Somalia and other parts of the world.
Dr Corral said faith communities have an important role to play in responding to humanitarian needs, particularly among vulnerable populations.
Dr Kivumbi said the Fire and Anointing Conference has, through its previous editions, contributed to changing lives by providing essential support and necessities to people living in refugee settlements.
The conference provided a platform for religious leaders from different countries to share teachings, strengthen fellowship and discuss ways of expanding humanitarian interventions.
The gathering concluded with a call to religious leaders and faith-based organisations to use their influence, networks and resources to uplift vulnerable communities and create opportunities for people in need.
Dr Corral also led prayers for members of the congregation, with several participants giving testimonies of healing.
The conference was attended by religious leaders including Rev. Dr Triumph from Nigeria, Bishop Joseph Morema from Kenya, Pastor Margaret from Mombasa, Bishop Oscar Elias from Tanzania, Bishop John Babu from Arua, Bishop Thomson Byamugisha from Uganda and Bishop Charles from Kenya, among others.
The three-day gathering ended with renewed emphasis on faith, service, economic empowerment and the responsibility to open doors for others.
