The Senior Presidential Adviser on Anti-corruption, Col Edith Nakalema has advised pastors operating in greater Mukono districts to use pulpits to encourage Christians to embrace wealth creation.
Nakalema who also doubles as the Head of the State House Investors' Protection Unit was represented by Stephen Kaheru the Unit administrator reiterated President Yoweri Museveni on wealth creation.
Reading the message to pastors during a one-day-leadership retreat convened at Mt. Lebanon Cathedral in Mukono organized by the Love, Peace, and Unity Pastors' Destiny Forum, Nakalema noted that Christians should be encouraged to ensure that every household joins the money economy by producing either a good or service.
"The President recognises the role of the Church leaders, in spreading the message on wealth creation among the believers. This is because they wield tremendous influence and respect, in their respective communities. They enjoy proximity with the people and frequently interact with members of the public." Nakalema noted in her message.
She added that it is on account that the government has rolled out a number of wealth funds to extend affordable credit to individuals and organized groups engaged in production." Nakalema noted.
The wealth funds include the Youth fund, Emyooga fund, the Parish Development Model, etc. Christians must be encouraged to take advantage of these government programmes.
According to President Museveni, there are four sectors where individuals and groups can select enterprises to create wealth and jobs and these are commercial farming, industries, services and ICT.
Captain Dan Barigye Bashisha, the in-charge mobilization and ISO representative in the president's office, appealed to church leaders to face the development ideology by tackling the mindset and attitude towards wealth creation.
"Adopt the concept of business intelligence which involves gathering information about the businesses to undertake before the implementation decision. Most importantly, change how you think and also do things in order of importance."
The Senior Pastor at God's Center of Blessings Church-Bweyogerere, Stephen Mugwanya says several of his church members were constrained by the covid-19 period but through the knowledge acquired from the economic transformation retreats, the church managed to start a saving group.
"We drew several lessons from the Covid-19 period, which provoked us into saving. After listening to testimonies from church members, I realized it wouldn't be worthy to lament further than finding solutions, especially for people who struggled to feed their families."
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He notes they agreed to register the savings group at the municipality to have proper governing regulations, opened up a bank account, and determined what to save, borrow, repayment schedule, and plan.
Mukono District Commercial Officer Kenneth Ntege notes that the conventional mentality has failed many Christians to start businesses.
According to him, they focus on evangelism and forget what is required to feed the body. He advised them to develop ordinary courage to enable them to start businesses everytime they generate business ideas within their capacities.
Bishop Samuel Lwandasa, the overseer of the Love, Peace, and Unity Pastors' Destiny Forum appreciated the suggestion of introducing a one-day market for Christians to have produce from their gardens sold.
According to him, this will compel the majority to establish a garden regardless of being a backyard. Introduction of cottage industries
