The Minister for the Presidency, Milly Babalanda, has called on Ugandans to reject corruption and embrace government wealth creation programmes as a way of improving household incomes and accelerating national development.
Babalanda made the remarks while officiating at the funeral of Mzee Erizephan Ndimukika in Buwagi Village, Budondo Sub-county, Jinja District.
Mzee Ndimukika was the father of former Seventh-day Adventist Church Archbishop in Uganda, Pastor Dr. Moses Ndimukika Maka.
Representing the government, the minister conveyed condolences from President Yoweri Museveni, First Lady Janet Museveni and the Office of the President to the bereaved family.
She described the deceased as a man whose life was defined by service, wisdom and dedication to his family and community.
“I commiserated with the bereaved family for the passing of the late and also expressed gratitude to the Almighty God for the life well lived, a life of service, wisdom and love that touched so many,” Babalanda said.
She praised Mzee Ndimukika for his commitment to agriculture, noting that he was recognised as one of the model farmers in Jinja District and was once visited at his home by President Museveni because of his outstanding farming achievements.
Using the occasion, Babalanda encouraged members of the public to emulate the late by making productive use of government poverty alleviation initiatives, including the Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga, Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) and the four-acre model.
She said the programmes provide opportunities for households to increase production and improve livelihoods when utilised effectively.
The minister also used the funeral to deliver a strong anti-corruption message, warning that corruption continues to frustrate government efforts to improve public services and reduce poverty.
“Corruption steals from our schools, our hospitals, our roads and the future of our children. It robs the poor, slows development and undermines the values of hard work and integrity we stand for as a nation,” she said.
She urged citizens to actively resist corrupt practices by refusing to participate in them and reporting those involved.
“Say no to corruption in your office and in your community. Let us report it, refuse it and reject those who practise it,” she said.
Babalanda added that government has introduced programmes and digital service delivery systems to reduce opportunities for corruption by bringing services closer to citizens without relying on middlemen.
“Government has put systems in place, including PDM, Emyooga, OWC and e-services, to take services closer to you without middlemen. Use them and demand accountability,” she said.
She called on Ugandans to work together in promoting transparency, accountability and self-reliance, saying these values are essential for the country’s social and economic transformation.
Concluding her remarks, Babalanda prayed for God’s comfort upon the bereaved family and eternal peace for the deceased.
The funeral was attended by family members, leaders of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, government officials and residents from Budondo and the surrounding areas.
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