SOROTI, Uganda (UGNEWSLINE)-President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has called on religious leaders across Uganda to promote wealth creation, national unity and socio-economic transformation, urging believers to engage in productive economic activities alongside their spiritual responsibilities.
The President made the call in a speech delivered by Vice President Jessica Alupo, who represented him at the commissioning of the new St. Peter’s Cathedral of the Diocese of Soroti in Soroti City on Sunday.
Museveni congratulated the Church of Uganda, the Diocese of Soroti and Christians who contributed to the construction of the cathedral, describing the achievement as a demonstration of faith, unity, sacrifice, patience and determination.
He commended the leadership of Soroti Diocese, led by Rt. Rev. Kosea Odongo, for spearheading the mobilisation and fundraising efforts that enabled the construction of the new place of worship.
“This wonderful achievement demonstrates your commitment to spreading and planting the message of Christianity in Uganda,” Museveni said in his speech, adding that the construction of a cathedral was an important undertaking because faith requires a sanctuary.
The President also called on religious leaders to strengthen national unity and support the government’s development agenda, noting that peace, security and access to essential services were fundamental to the prosperity of all Ugandans, regardless of their religious, ethnic or regional backgrounds.
He attributed the peace and stability Uganda has experienced since 1986 to the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government’s non-sectarian ideology, which he said prioritises national interests over sectarian divisions.
According to Museveni, these interests include political stability, security of persons and property, affordable and quality education, medical care, good roads, electricity and expanded markets for Ugandan products.
He emphasised that national unity was essential to ensuring balanced development across the country and urged religious leaders to promote values that bring Ugandans together.
Museveni further reaffirmed the government’s cordial relationship with the Church of Uganda and other faith-based institutions, describing religious organisations as important partners in promoting moral values and socio-economic development.
However, he challenged church leaders to go beyond spiritual nourishment and encourage their congregations to participate in income-generating activities that can improve household welfare.
He cited Jesus Christ as an example of someone who combined spiritual ministry and service to humanity with productive work, noting that Christ was also a carpenter.
The President warned that poverty among believers should be treated as a challenge that communities must actively work to overcome, identifying subsistence farming as one of the major causes of household poverty.
He criticised the practice of producing only for household consumption, arguing that it leaves families without the income needed to purchase essential goods and services in an increasingly monetised economy.
Museveni urged religious leaders to guide their congregations towards profitable enterprises in four key sectors: commercial agriculture, industry, services and information and communications technology (ICT).
He said these sectors offered opportunities for households to generate income, create employment and improve their standards of living.
The President also pledged that the government would continue maintaining peace and investing in social and economic infrastructure to facilitate development and attract both domestic and foreign investment.
He concluded by congratulating the Diocese of Soroti on the progress made in constructing the cathedral and commending all those who contributed to the project.
The commissioning of St. Peter’s Cathedral marks a significant milestone for the Diocese of Soroti and the wider Church of Uganda community, providing a major place of worship for Christians in the Teso sub-region.
