Vice President Jessica Alupo has reaffirmed government's commitment to deepening cooperation with religious institutions, saying faith-based partnerships remain central to service delivery, national cohesion and development.
Speaking during celebrations marking 85 years of St Augustine Chapel at Makerere University, Alupo said government will continue working closely with religious leaders to strengthen key sectors including education, health, security and community development.
"Our prayers... I reiterate the commitment to continue working closely with all the religious institutions and religious leaders in the country to deliver services to people, including in security, business, unity, the education sector, the health sector and the workforce sector," Alupo said.
Her remarks come amid growing government reliance on faith-based organisations to complement public service delivery, particularly in areas where state capacity remains stretched.
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Alupo said religious institutions have long played a critical role not only in spiritual guidance but also in shaping social values and supporting national development.
"The relationship between government and the Church and the Catholic Church will remain," she said.
The event marked 85 years since the establishment of St Augustine Chapel, one of Makerere University's oldest spiritual centres, which has for decades served as a place of worship, reflection and mentorship for students and staff.
Alupo described the anniversary as a moment of reflection on the institution's historical contribution to shaping generations of Ugandans.
"This ceremony comes in handy to remind us that we should remember where we came from," she said.
She noted that the chapel has played a lasting role in supporting students' academic and spiritual growth since its founding in 1941.
"It is a profound honour to join you today... to celebrate a place that has shaped the journeys of many since its founding in 1941," she said.
Alupo said the chapel remains a unique space where academic pursuit is balanced with moral and spiritual grounding.
"It has enhanced the academic life of Makerere University. It has been a place where questions meet prayer, and where the pursuit of knowledge is guided by the light of the gospel," she said.
She also paid tribute to generations of chaplains, priests and lay leaders who have served at the chapel, saying their contribution has extended beyond the university into wider society.
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Alupo commended the current leadership for maintaining the chapel's legacy and strengthening its role in supporting the university community.
Reflecting on her personal experience at Makerere, the Vice President recalled how spiritual guidance at the chapel shaped her student life, noting that such mentorship has had a lasting impact on many former students during moments of personal and academic difficulty.
She further noted that the chapel has witnessed key moments in the university's and the country's history, serving as a source of hope during challenging periods.
Alupo urged continued collaboration between government and religious institutions, stressing that national development must be anchored in moral values, unity and service to the public.
Meanwhile, Makerere University Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe commended students for their discipline and appealed for increased support for university infrastructure development.
He highlighted ongoing efforts to expand key facilities, saying the upgrades would improve student welfare and learning conditions.
Prof. Nawangwe also called for sustained funding and broader stakeholder participation in mobilising resources for the project, stressing that coordinated financing and institutional commitment would be critical to timely completion and improved campus services.
As Makerere marked the chapel's anniversary, leaders emphasized the importance of preserving institutions that blend education, faith and service while strengthening partnerships to support Uganda's broader development agenda.
