The National Resistance Movement National Treasurer Barbara Nekesa Oundo has challenged religious leaders to move beyond spiritual guidance and take a more active role in helping their congregations fight household poverty through income-generating activities.
Nekesa said churches could play a critical role in improving household incomes by encouraging believers to participate in government wealth creation programmes and adopt practical economic activities.
She made the call on Thursday during a fundraising dinner organised by Kazo Seventh-Day Adventist Church at Hotel Africana in Kampala, where she urged religious institutions to complement efforts aimed at improving livelihoods and strengthening communities.
“Faith is central to our lives, but economic empowerment is equally important in enabling believers and churches to fulfil their responsibilities. Fighting poverty in our homesteads is not an option,” Nekesa said.
She argued that improving household incomes would not only enable families to meet their basic needs but also strengthen their ability to support church activities and contribute to community development.
Nekesa also called on religious leaders to use their influence to discourage sectarianism and promote peaceful coexistence among Ugandans, regardless of their religious, tribal or political differences.
She said national unity and stability were essential for development, urging faith leaders to continue using their platforms to promote tolerance and understanding.
“Where there is no peace, there can be no meaningful unity, and without unity, development becomes difficult,” she said.
Nekesa further encouraged religious institutions to maintain their role in praying for the country while helping their members understand and participate in development initiatives.
She also credited Uganda’s stability for enabling the country to withstand public health challenges, including Ebola, nodding disease and the COVID-19 pandemic.
The fundraising dinner was organised to raise Shs150 million towards purchasing land adjoining the church to facilitate its expansion, construction of a pastor’s residence and development of parking facilities.
Nekesa commended the church leadership for mobilising resources towards the project, saying strong religious institutions contribute to shaping responsible citizens and supporting the moral and social development of communities.
