Hellen Seku, the Commissioner for the National Secretariat for Patriotism Corps (NSPC), has criticized what she described as a growing culture of economic dependency within churches, urging religious leaders to promote hard work, self-reliance and wealth creation alongside spiritual guidance.
Seku who is also Private Secretary to the President on youth Affairs made the remarks during the launch of the Generational Pastors Network, a nationwide initiative targeting young clergy.
She said the network, which seeks to mobilize more than 100,000 young pastors across the country, is intended to reposition religious leaders as agents of socio-economic transformation rather than contributors to financial strain on their congregations.
“There has been a generation of pastors who keep people in church from morning to night… People have no time to work,” she said, criticizing prolonged prayer sessions that she argued limit productivity and economic participation.
Seku warned that such practices risk deepening poverty among followers, noting that excessive reliance on offerings and donations places a burden on already struggling believers. According to her, religious institutions must begin to emphasize practical economic empowerment if they are to remain relevant to national development goals.
“We teach people to be hardworking… if you don’t work, you don’t eat,” she said, stressing that pastors should lead by example by engaging in income-generating activities and building financially sustainable ministries.
She added that the newly launched network will establish structured systems to support pastors in wealth creation, including income-generating initiatives and collaborative economic activities aimed at reducing dependence on congregants.
The official also linked the initiative to broader ideological concerns, stating that the network would help safeguard societal values, including opposition to homosexuality, which she described as an external influence.
“We say no to homosexuality. That’s why we are launching this network countrywide,” Seku said.
The Generational Pastors Network is also organizing a National Prayer Day scheduled for June at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, where young pastors are expected to pray for Yoweri Museveni and receive guidance on leadership, governance and economic empowerment.
Meanwhile, leaders of the newly formed network say the initiative marks a turning point in the organization of Uganda’s church leadership, particularly among younger clergy seeking unity across denominations.
Speaking at the same event, Pastor Martine Alitya said the platform is designed to bring together pastors from diverse ministries under a shared vision of cooperation and common teaching.
“This is another generation that has come up as pastors to unite and work together,” Alitya said.
He noted that divisions within the church have in the past weakened its collective influence, adding that the network aims to foster cohesion among pastors regardless of their doctrinal differences or styles of ministry.
“We have always told our fellow pastors that we are one, and that unity comes from shared teaching,” he said.
Alitya explained that the network will provide a platform for engagement among clergy involved in different forms of ministry, including those known for miracle-based preaching, while maintaining a common scriptural foundation.
Organizers say the initiative will roll out nationwide programs aimed at strengthening collaboration, harmonizing teaching and building partnerships among pastors as part of a broader effort to enhance the church’s role in social and economic transformation.
The launch comes amid increasing calls within both government and religious circles for faith-based institutions to play a more active role in addressing unemployment, poverty and community development challenges.
Seku maintained that the long-term goal of the initiative is to transform religious practice into a driver of national socio-economic growth, with pastors acting not only as spiritual leaders but also as catalysts for financial independence and community empowerment.
Further details of the June prayer event, organizers said, will be announced in the coming weeks.
