Museveni urges religious leaders to lead fight against poverty

_____________

President Yoweri Museveni has urged all religious leaders to use their platforms and mobilize believers to work towards achieving decent standards of living.

The president noted that in the process of working for heaven, some of the faithful become negligent about their earthly responsibilities and thereby end up perpetuating poverty in their homes.

“If we have spiritually seen the light, then we must do the same economically. We cannot see the spiritual light yet stay in economic darkness," he said

The President’s message was delivered by Vice President Jessica Alupo on Friday (August 16) at the closure of the 6th International Ecumenical Fellowship (IEF) in Mbarara city.

Vice President Jessica Alupo led by Bishop Fred Sheldon Mwesigwa- President of International Ecumenical Fellowship Africa Chapter and Bishop of Ankole Diocese and other officials looking at products being exhibited. (Photo by Abdulkarim Ssengendo)

The three-day fellowship opened by trade minister Francis Mwebesa, was organized by the International Ecumenical Fellowship Africa Chapter in partnership with Bishop Stuart University. 

The conference attracted delegates from the USA, South Sudan, Kenya, Uganda, Congo, Rwanda, and Burundi and online delegates from Romania, Canada and the UK. 

President Museveni thanked Bishop Sheldon Mwesigwa, the president of IEF-Africa and all the organizers of the conference, for convening what he termed as a great ecumenical gathering of distinguished delegates to discuss issues of development and socio-economic transformation.

The President was happy to learn that the theme for the 6th International Ecumenical Fellowship was “Religion and Development” with a special focus on achieving SDGs 1 and 3, which aim at ending poverty and promoting good health and well-being of all people and development effect of all people irrespective of their religion.

He noted that the problem of poverty and underdevelopment, especially among the least developed countries, is caused by a failure to exploit and tame the natural environment.

“God in the book of Genesis, gave mankind two assignments, the first assignment was for man to multiply and fill the earth, this command has been executed very well by our people. However, the assignment that has been neglected, says you must not only fill the earth but also establish dominion over nature, this is where people have lagged,” the President said.

Speaking to New Vision, Bishop Mwesigwa said they organized the fellowship to bring together Christians irrespective of their faith to share the word of God and fellowship and also address different topics that concern human beings.

The conference is organized every two years. Topics at the conference are around innovations targeting to contribute to economic development.

“The bible talked about money more than love, that shows Jesus was always talking about talent, money, stewardship and all those concepts that talk about business, that’s why we said this year let's concentrate on helping our people to think in that direction,” Bishop Mwesigwa stated.