Most Rev. Robert Muhiirwa, Bishop of Fortportal and Parish Priest of
Katoosa Catholic Church Rev.Fr. Moses Mutangirizi.
President Yoweri Museveni has hailed the Catholic Church in Uganda and other religious institutions for adhering and contributing to the government’s call to eradicate poverty through commercial agro production and using their proximity to the population to contribute to the poverty eradication agenda.
Mr Museveni made the remarks during a fundraising function for Katoosa Catholic Church in Kyenjojo town council. The function which took place yesterday was aimed at raising Shs400 million towards the completion of the church that is estimated to cost Shs1billion on completion.
While addressing hundreds of people who graced the occasion, the President said that he was impressed with the report from Katoosa Catholic Church that they are engaged in a number of agricultural activities that generate income to the Parish and urged other religious institution to emulate their example.
He called upon all religious organizations to use their proximity to the population and sensitize the masses to overcome poverty through commercial agro production to improve food security and house hold incomes.
The President also said that it was justifiable to have a big and worthwhile church at Katoosa Parish the birth place of St. Adolf Ludigo Tibeyarirwa one of the Uganda martyrs who was burnt to death by Kabaka Mwanga at Namugongo shrines. He noted that the church was important as a worshiping place but also as a tourist attraction due to the importance of the martyrs in the life of Christians in Uganda.
The President pledged Shs300 million towards the fundraising drive also used the occasion to inform the population that government long secured funds from the World Bank for the tarmacking of the Kigumba-Masindi-Hoima-Kagadi-Kyenjojo road but said the delay on the road works was caused by parliamentary committee on National economy that failed to clear the funds which were to be used jointly to include the construction of the Petroleum Institute due to disputes. He said as soon as this is settled the road works will immediately start.
The President appealed to the people of Tooro to embrace their unity in diversity, shun tribalism and live in harmony as they work to develop Tooro and Uganda as a whole.
“Tooro Kingdom is a home of many tribes Batooro, Banyoro, Banyankore, Bakiga and many others so please kindly live together in harmony and no one should divide you” the President said.
The Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Moses Mutangirizi hailed the Presidents Operation wealth creation campaign and said it is a gospel that has changed lives.
“I make this statement without fear and with pride based on my knowledge of the core decency of your leadership as President. You always want people to work hard, act responsibly, be able to get into the middle class and stay in the middle class, he said.
Rev. Fr. Mutangirizi has changed lives at the grassroots and has been named ‘The Museveni Gospel of household incomes.’
“As a matter of fact, I have personally adopted your message in the eradication of poverty and have taken it upon myself to be your disciple in that gospel,” he said.
The State Minister for Finance Aston Kajara commended the President and the government for financing and building of Nyamango technical institute that is in its final stages. He appealed for the elevation of Kyenjojo town to municipality status.
Tooro Kingdom Prime minister Mr. Bernard Tungako commended the central government for the support they have rendered to Tooro Kingdom and the Omukama of Tooro in particular. He also praised government for promoting religious tolerance in the country that has greatly contributed to harmony in the country.
The President auctioned two cows that fetched ten million shillings, while his Presidential Portrait that was auctioned by the Church raised Shs5million. The portrait of the Omukama of Tooro was bought by Princess Elizabeth Bagaya at Shs12.2million who donated it to Brig. Muhoozi a friend of the Omukama.
