Museveni commissions construction of multi-billion church complex

President Museveni has lauded religious institutions for setting up developmental projects which effort has made them become self-reliant.

 According to Mr Museveni, unlike in the past where most religious institutions depended on donor support, religious institutions in Uganda have embarked on a campaign of setting up various economic ventures to generate income.

 “The religious sector in the country has made a lot of progress in as far as constructions are concerned.People have come to realise that gone are the days when we had to rely on foreign donors and missionaries to initiate projects for us. As a nation, Uganda is at take off stage. Every citizen, therefore, has a role to play,”  Mr Museveni said in a speech read for him by Gen Kahinda Otafiire, the Justice and Constitutional Affairs minister.

This was during the ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of a Shs4.5 billion commercial complex building in Hoima town belonging to All Saints Church on Saturday.

 Mr Museveni said the government appreciates the contribution of religious institutions towards the development of the country.

He applauded Bunyoro Kitara Diocese for coming up with such a project that will support its activities.

 Mr Museveni challenged religious leaders across the country to continue fulfilling God's call of service but also ensure that the believers are not only spiritually natured but are also physically and economically empowered.

He asked religious leaders to continue promoting sound family values, environment conservation and peaceful resolution of conflict.

The president also said pessimists may dismiss the achievements of the National Resistance Movement government for their own selfish motives but said the concrete achievements cannot be concealed from ordinary people.

 The president contributed Sh50 million towards the construction of the complex.

Bishop Samuel Kahuma, the Bishop of Bunyoro Kitara Diocese, said it is important for the church to develop income-generating projects to finance its programmes.

 Bishop Kahuma asked government to allocate more resources to youth projects in Bunyoro.