“..Reinforcing Africa’s spiritual position should be in consonance with Africa’s people’s economic welfare”– President Museveni
President Yoweri Museveni has urged Christians and Muslims leaders on African continent to engage and sensitize their flock in economic activity.
“Contrary to the developed Western world countries, Africa has lagged behind because it has lived a situation of under-production and under-consumption. This affects both church and government as the citizens do not also contribute enough to the church,” he said.
The President was today speaking at celebrations to mark the Golden Jubilee of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) at Lubaga Cathedral in Kampala.
The celebrations that attracted over 400 Bishops and running under the theme ‘Church, Family of God in Africa: Celebrate Your Jubilee! Proclaim, Meet and Welcome Jesus Christ Your Saviour.’
SECAM was established in 1969 and inaugurated by St. Pope Paul VI at Lubaga Cathedral when the Pontiff made a pilgrimage to Uganda in honor of the Ugandan Martyrs. SECAM enables African bishops manage religious and their faithful work in solidarity and collegiality at the continental level and also promotes the participation of the Catholic Church in education, spiritual and church family.
In his remarks to the congregation of bishops and other participants attending the 18th Plenary Assembly and Golden Jubilee of SECAM, President Museveni observed that the prelates presence in Uganda marks it as the country of blessings.
“All these bishops present here have brought blessings to Uganda. They all belong to Africa,” he said. He, however, challenged them that though Africa has spiritually grown more than any other continent in the world, reinforcing Africa spiritual position should be in consonance with Africa’s people’s economic welfare.
Museveni wondered why Africa, with a population of 1.3 billion and great wealth, is not developed in comparison to Europe, which is four times less the size of Africa with a much smaller population, be tremendously developed.
“I have a good understanding especially for the Ugandan families for the last 50 years. The reason is simple: culture. Africans are stuck in subsistence farming. Only working for the stomach not considering the element of money and accountability and profitability,” he said.
He, therefore, challenged Christians that they should use their God-given talents multiplied through sensitization to enhance the economic well-being of Africans.
Kampala Archdiocesan Prelate, Most Rev. Cyprian Kizito Lwanga, thanked President Museveni and the Government of Uganda for the good working collaboration with the Catholic Church and for the support in the organization and hosting the 18th Plenary Assembly and Golden Jubilee of SECAM celebrations, which he noted, is an honour for Uganda.
