MAYUGE DISTRICT – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has called upon the Church of Uganda and other religious institutions to strengthen their role in promoting socio-economic transformation, moral uprightness and household wealth creation, emphasising the importance of combining spiritual guidance with practical efforts to improve livelihoods.
The President made the call in a message delivered by the Minister for the Presidency and Member of Parliament for Budiope West Constituency, Hon. Babirye Milly Babalanda, during the 141st commemoration of Bishop James Hannington at Kyando Village in Mayuge District, where Christians gathered to honour the life, faith and sacrifice of the Anglican missionary who was martyred in Uganda in 1885.
In his message, President Museveni expressed pleasure at being invited to join the faithful on the significant occasion and thanked the Church of Uganda, the organising committee and the people of Busoga for keeping Bishop Hannington’s legacy alive.
“I thank the Church of Uganda, the Organising Committee and the people of Busoga for inviting me on this important occasion,” the President said.
He noted that the commemoration was not merely an opportunity to reflect on a historical event but also a moment to draw enduring lessons from Bishop Hannington’s life and death, particularly his faith, courage, sacrifice and commitment to serving humanity.
The President observed that 141 years after his death, Bishop Hannington remains an important figure in Uganda’s Christian history because of his determination to pursue his evangelical mission despite the risks and hardships he encountered.
Bishop Hannington first led a group of missionaries from England to Uganda in 1882. However, the journey was marked by numerous challenges, including hostile encounters, wild animals, insects, sickness and other difficult conditions that eventually compelled him to return to England.
After recovering his health, he prepared for a second journey to Uganda in 1885, accompanied by fellow missionaries, including William Jones, with the intention of continuing his evangelical work.
President Museveni explained that Hannington and his colleagues encountered difficulties as they approached the area around Lake Victoria because their mission was misunderstood, leading to their detention.
“Bishop Hannington, after regaining his health, made plans for his second journey to Uganda in 1885 for his evangelical mission in the company of other missionaries like William Jones. While he and his fellow missionaries had just reached a spot near Lake Victoria, they were held hostage for some time while making their way to Uganda because his motives were not clearly understood by the Kabaka. He was mistaken for being Buganda’s enemy,” the President said.
Bishop Hannington was killed on 29 October 1885 on the orders of Kabaka Mwanga II, through Busoga Chief Luba. He was speared to death at Kyando, while some of his fellow missionaries escaped.
The President said the sacrifice of Bishop Hannington and other Christian martyrs laid an important foundation for the growth of Christianity and continued to provide inspiration to believers.
“The Christian faith today is built on the foundation of martyrs and other Christians who died for their faith, as Bishop James Hannington did,” he said.
He drew a connection between the Bishop Hannington commemoration and Uganda Martyrs Day, observed annually on 3 June, noting that the lives of those who died for their faith demonstrate extraordinary commitment, courage and total surrender to God.
“Every 3rd of June, we celebrate Ugandans who died for their faith to emulate their spirit of sacrifice and total surrender to God. Their faith, commitment and willingness to risk their lives as they spread the Word of God set an amazing example for Christians today,” President Museveni said.
He urged Christians to emulate the exemplary conduct of the early believers and use their faith to guide younger generations towards responsible, disciplined and morally upright lives.
“Therefore, I call upon Christians to also live exemplary lives so as to shape the young generation, as they have been guided by the ancient Christians in their spiritual lives,” he added.
President Museveni also commended the Church of Uganda and other faith-based organisations for their longstanding contribution to Uganda’s social and economic development, particularly through the establishment of schools, hospitals, health centres and other institutions that provide essential services to communities.
He observed that religious institutions have played a significant role in expanding access to education, improving public health and strengthening the moral fabric of society.
“Religious organisations have contributed to the education of our children, the improvement of public health and the moral development of our communities. Many Ugandans received their formal education through institutions established by Christian missionaries and other religious organisations. These institutions helped lay the foundation for literacy, professional development and public service in our country,” he said.
The President particularly appreciated the continued service of churches and other religious organisations in rural communities, where access to essential services remains a challenge.
He emphasised that Uganda’s development requires a coordinated effort involving Government, religious institutions, cultural leaders, the private sector and civil society.
“The Government recognises that national development requires the participation of all stakeholders. Government has the responsibility to provide security, infrastructure, education, healthcare and an enabling environment for economic growth,” he said.
He added that religious institutions and other stakeholders should complement Government efforts by mobilising communities, promoting responsible citizenship and supporting initiatives designed to improve household incomes.
President Museveni appealed to the Church of Uganda to continue partnering with Government in promoting socio-economic transformation, particularly by encouraging Christians to embrace wealth creation programmes such as Operation Wealth Creation (OWC), Emyooga and the Parish Development Model (PDM).
“I therefore appeal to the Church to continue supporting Government in the mobilisation for socio-economic transformation and to embrace Government programmes for wealth creation such as Operation Wealth Creation (OWC), Emyooga and the Parish Development Model (PDM) that aim at increasing household incomes,” he said.
He stressed that the programmes provide opportunities for households to participate in productive economic activities, strengthen their incomes and improve their standards of living.
President Museveni thanked the Diocese of Busoga and the Church of Uganda for organising the annual commemoration and contributing to the preservation of Bishop Hannington’s historical and spiritual legacy.
As part of his support for the Church, the President contributed Shs 30 million towards its work.
Minister Babirye Milly Babalanda thanked the Head of State for recognising the significance of Bishop James Hannington’s legacy and honouring the contribution of the Church to Uganda’s spiritual and social development.
She commended religious leaders for their role in shaping morals, promoting unity and guiding communities towards responsible conduct.
The Minister urged church leaders to complement their preaching of the Gospel with practical messages on wealth creation, hard work, discipline and household economic empowerment.
She emphasised that the fight against poverty requires collective responsibility and called upon the faithful to take advantage of established Government programmes to improve their livelihoods.
Hon. Babalanda further encouraged members of the gathering to contribute to community development by offering services through their respective professional, economic and social sectors.
She noted that religious leaders are strategically positioned to influence positive behavioural change, mobilise communities and encourage families to participate in productive economic activities.
The Minister reiterated that spiritual development should go hand in hand with economic progress, urging believers to translate the values of faith, responsibility and service into practical actions that improve the welfare of their households and communities.
The commemoration provided an opportunity for Christians and other participants to reflect on the historical significance of Bishop Hannington’s martyrdom while renewing their commitment to faith, service, moral integrity and community development.
The event also reinforced the importance of collaboration between Government and religious institutions in addressing poverty, expanding access to essential services and advancing Uganda’s broader socio-economic transformation agenda.
The 141st commemoration of Bishop James Hannington therefore served not only as a tribute to a Christian martyr but also as a call for renewed commitment to faith, sacrifice, responsible leadership and practical efforts to improve the lives of Ugandans.
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