KAYUNGA, Uganda — President Yoweri Museveni has challenged religious leaders in Uganda to shift their focus from solely preaching the gospel to actively promoting wealth creation among their congregations.
The President asserted that persistent spiritual messages alone will not alleviate poverty, urging the clergy to instead join government efforts in sensitizing Ugandans on economic empowerment.
In a message delivered by his Special Presidential Assistant on Press and Mobilization, Faruk Kirunda, during a 2025 mega crusade of the Universal Apostles Fellowship Church of Righteousness (UAFCR) at Saza Grounds in Kayunga district, President Museveni advised religious leaders to dedicate part of their sermons to practical methods of poverty eradication.
These methods include engaging in wealth creation activities such as commercial agriculture, manufacturing, services, and ICT.
“Please spread the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government’s wealth creation message. You should use the Church to help our people to fight poverty,” Mr Museveni stated, commending Prophet Daudi Isanga, the head of UAFCR in Uganda, for already incorporating the NRM’s wealth creation message into his teachings.
He tasked other religious leaders to emulate Isanga’s example and pledged to donate a tractor to believers to boost productivity in their commercial agriculture ventures.
The President further elaborated on the NRM government’s philosophy, stating its belief in the “politics of interest,” which prioritizes the welfare of the general public. He also highlighted the abundance of places of worship in Uganda, attributing this to the NRM’s policies emphasizing freedom of worship. However, he urged believers to utilize this freedom to foster peace and unity within the nation.
“Our government doesn’t discriminate against any Ugandan based on their tribe, religion, or political affiliation. This is so because of the right policies and principles. That’s why you are able to freely worship whatever and whenever you want as long as you don’t break the law. Between 1977-1978, Amin outlawed freedom of worship because he was a coward who never wanted to be criticized,” Mr Museveni remarked, drawing a contrast with past regimes.
For his part, Prophet Daudi Isanga acknowledged the high crime rate in Kayunga district, including witchcraft, land theft, and human sacrifice, noting that such criminality tainted the district’s image and called for an urgent revival.
“You should return to God so that you revive the image of this district,” he urged. Isanga also lauded President Museveni as a just and selfless leader whose visionary leadership has propelled Uganda’s development. “Unlike the past leaders, President Museveni is one of a kind. He is a kind of leader who is abused, criticized and does nothing to those who castigate him. He has all the qualities of a good leader,” Isanga stated.
The Minister of State for Finance, Planning and Economic Development, and Member of Parliament for Ntenjeru North, Amos Lugoloobi, concurred with Isanga’s concerns about criminality in Kayunga, reiterating the district’s need for revival.
The crusade was also attended by other notable leaders, including the Minister of State for Bunyoro Affairs, Jenipher Namuyangu; Commissioner in-charge of Kampala Metropolitan Area, RDC Secretariat, Frederick Mbagadhi Nkayi; and Kayunga RDC, Mariam Seguya, among others.
