By
By Godfrey Olukya
President Yoweri Museveni has commended Religious leaders in Africa over promoting unity.
He said that all leaders of various religions in Africa have played a big role of bringing people together and fighting common enemies like diseases, illiteracy and poverty.
He thanked Bishop Nathan Ahimbisibwe and the entire leadership of the South Ankole diocese for preaching unity for development among the people despite their religious affiliation.
He said this was in line with the country’s ruling party, National Resistance Movement’ ideals that are against any form of sectarianism including religious sectarianism but are focused on uniting all Ugandans to work for national development.
The President was today speaking at a function held at St. Mathew Cathedral Kyamate in Ntungamo district where he was accompanied by the First Lady who is also Minister for Karamoja Affairs Janet Kataha Museveni.
“I have heard you overtime and your messages are very clear and positive because they preach unity and don’t divide the population. We were forced to send away all religious leaders from all military barracks because their messages to the army were largely divisive and could not be tolerated in the army and am happy the messages from the church today emphasize religious unity,” he said.
He expressed gratitude at the plan by the diocese to undertake development projects that will generate income for the diocese for the good work, continuity and enhancement of God’s work and pledged the government support in that endeavor.
The President used the occasion to appeal to the African population to work and boost their household income noting that household poverty was the major challenge facing the country today.
“Every house hold should become a commercial union,” he said and warned against land fragmentation due to negative inheritance practices which he said affects land productivity.
Bishop Ahimbisibwe thanked president Museveni for signing the anti-homosexuality bill into law to defend Ugandans from the negative foreign vices that are out to destroy the African society and norms. He said that it was an act of bravely and sobriety on his part as a leader.
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