Kampala. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has issued a clarion call to religious leaders, urging them to lead the charge in reviving moral standards in society amidst growing global decadence. Speaking through State Minister of Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives David Bahati, President Museveni emphasized the critical role of the Church in safeguarding society from the threats posed by declining moral values.
At the installation ceremony of Reverend Joseph Tumwebaze as the South Buganda regional Overseer of Pentecostal Churches in Masaka, President Museveni highlighted the Church’s vulnerability to the changing global dynamics that contribute to moral decay. He called upon religious leaders, particularly those of Pentecostal Churches, to rally their followers in upholding the original values of their faith, emphasizing self-reliance as a key principle.
In addition to their religious duties, President Museveni urged Pentecostal Church leaders to implement programs aimed at improving the livelihoods of their followers, moving away from a dependency mindset towards self-sustainability. Reverend Joseph Tumwebaze, newly inaugurated as the regional Overseer, unveiled a five-year strategic development plan aimed at fostering both spiritual and economic transformation in the region.
As part of this plan, Tumwebaze launched a regional savings and cooperative society for Born-again Pentecostal Churches, intending to provide affordable capital for church and community projects. Moses Odongo, national leader of the National Fellowship of Born-Again Pentecostal Churches of Uganda-NFBPC, expressed commitment to collaborating with the government to improve the lives of their congregation.
President Museveni contributed 50 million shillings to the newly established SACCO as seed capital, demonstrating the government’s support for initiatives aimed at empowering religious communities.
President Museveni’s call for religious leaders to combat moral decline underscores the vital role of faith-based institutions in shaping societal values and behaviors. With concerted efforts from both religious and government leaders, Uganda can strive towards a future characterized by strong moral foundations and sustainable community development.
