President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has positioned the Church as a key pillar in Uganda’s development agenda, urging faith leaders to move beyond spiritual guidance and actively drive household wealth creation.
In a message delivered on his behalf by State Minister for Economic Monitoring Beatrice Akello Akori, Museveni said religious institutions have already gone beyond their traditional mandate, increasingly shaping community development outcomes across the country.
“The Church’s primary role is spiritual, but it has also played a meaningful part in improving livelihoods through development work,” he said.
The remarks were delivered during the opening and dedication of the Life Restoration Ministries sanctuary in Nansana–Bujjuko, where religious leaders and government officials gathered around a shared message of faith-driven development.
Museveni pressed clergy to take a more direct role in mobilising believers into economic activity, arguing that spirituality must be matched with productivity.
“Faith should not be separated from work. Even Jesus Christ, beyond preaching and prayer, worked as a carpenter and earned a living,” he said.
He cautioned against what he described as “spectator attitudes” in the fight against poverty, saying households that remain trapped in subsistence living must be integrated into the money economy.
“Those still working only for survival must be mobilised to join wealth creation efforts,” he added.
Museveni reiterated that while government provides infrastructure and public services, wealth creation remains an individual and household responsibility.
“Development is collective, but wealth and jobs are created by individuals, families and private enterprises,” he said.
He pointed to commercial agriculture, industrialisation, services and ICT as priority sectors for economic transformation, urging religious, cultural and political leaders to intensify mobilisation at grassroots level.
The President also praised Pastor Kenneth Kato Mwesigwa for constructing the sanctuary, describing it as a contribution to both spiritual growth and community development. He further commended Pastor Robert Kayanja for strengthening relations between Pentecostal churches and government.
Museveni contributed Shs 30 million towards the project.
Kayanja, in turn, hailed the President for sustaining peace and stability, while Mwesigwa said the church remains committed to community outreach, youth empowerment and social support.
“We are grateful for the freedom to worship and the opportunity to serve communities beyond the pulpit,” he said.
The ceremony, marked by prayers and gospel music, reflected an increasingly visible alliance between the Church and the State, as Uganda pushes its transformation agenda deeper into communities.
