President Museveni has commended the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church, Busoga Field, for its contribution to faith, education, healthcare and community transformation, describing the church as an important partner in Uganda’s development efforts.
The President’s message was delivered by the Minister for the Presidency and Director of SDA Busoga Women Field, Milly Babirye Babalanda, during the installation of Bishop Pastor Kajura Jimmy as the new Bishop of the Busoga SDA Field.
President Museveni said the installation marked more than a change in leadership, describing it as “a change of course in the spiritual and administrative journey of the Busoga Adventist Field.”
“This installation is a confirmation to us all that God continues to call men and women into leadership at all levels. We therefore receive Bishop Pastor Kajura Jimmy for service in the Busoga Seventh-day Adventist Field with humility,” Museveni said.
The President praised the SDA Church in Busoga for strengthening Christian values, promoting community transformation and spreading “the gospel of unity and patriotism inherent in Adventist spiritual values.”
He noted that the church’s commitment to faith, discipline, education, healthcare and service has contributed to the establishment of institutions that continue to benefit communities across the country.
“A community that prays together can also work together to fight poverty, and other community challenges can be met corporately. We all know that unity is strength,” Museveni said.
He urged SDA members to use the occasion as a moment of renewal and work with their new Bishop to advance the gospel and contribute to national development.
Quoting John 10:10 — “I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly” — the President challenged Christians to reject anything that limits their growth and transformation.
Museveni also called upon believers to actively participate in government wealth creation initiatives, including Emyooga, the Parish Development Model (PDM), Operation Wealth Creation (OWC), and agriculture programmes at the parish level.
“The NRM leadership has already set up systems of wealth creation in many ways, and we must all be active participants,” he said.
“God has blessed Busoga with resources, and I exhort you to harness them to further the NRM cause of self-reliance and self-sustainability for all Ugandans.”
The President encouraged Bishop Kajura to lead the church with the word of God as his guiding principle and serve with wisdom and compassion.
“I also encourage you to mobilise resources using your network of friends, development partners and goodwill ambassadors that God may present to you. This will further the progress of the church and craft for you a legacy,” Museveni said.
He reiterated his “No More Sleep” message, saying the country must continue working towards social and economic transformation.
“We are saying, ‘No more sleep’ for us all until we see that the entire African race is integrated in values, secure and economically sound,” he said.
Museveni congratulated Bishop Kajura and wished him a successful and peaceful tenure of service in the Busoga SDA Field.
The installation ceremony was attended by Archbishop Samuel Kajoba, government officials, community leaders, SDA Church leaders and members from across Busoga.
