President Museveni Urges Church Collaboration for Economic Empowerment
President Museveni has urged church leaders to collaborate with government in promoting income generation and fostering community social transformation, emphasizing that an impactful gospel must address both the physical and spiritual needs of the populace.
In a speech delivered by Minister for Security, Maj. Gen.(Rtd) Jim Muhwezi during the closing ceremony of a four-day retreat for the Western Region Church of Uganda Bishops’ fellowship at Emmanuel Cathedral Kinyansano in Rukungiri District. The President highlighted the Church’s pivotal role in enhancing unity and fostering humanity. He called on the Bishops to be exemplary shepherds, extending their outreach beyond spiritual matters to include economic empowerment.
The President encouraged the clergy to partner with the government in combating poverty, disease, corruption and moral decline to achieve a meaningful social transformation.
During the closing service, East Rwenzori Bishop Rt. Rev. George Turyasingura urged church leaders to embody humility and promote forgiveness. He pointed out the challenges posed by technology and the internet as significant factors contributing to moral decay, which the Church must actively address.
The retreat was attended by 38 Bishops from the 15 dioceses across the western region, including Bunyoro, Rwenzori, Ankole and Kigezi. The Bishops elected Bishop Onesimus Asiimwe of North Kigezi Diocese to succeed Bishop Amos Magezi of North West Ankole as their fellowship chairperson.
The fellowship, established in 1976 by four Bishops from Rwenzori, Ankole, West Ankole and Kigezi at Lake Nyabihoko in Ntungamo District, expressed a collective desire to develop self-sustaining dioceses free from external donations which they believe can lead to a patronage model within the Church.
