The Minister for the Presidency and Member of Parliament for Budiope West Constituency, Babirye Milly Babalanda has officiated at celebrations marking the 25th anniversary of the priesthood of Rev. Fr. Anthony Musana at Wansimba Parish Pastoral Council in Namagera Town Council, Jinja District.
The celebrations were held under the theme: "The Favours of the Lord I Will Recall" (Isaiah 63:7).
Addressing the congregation, Minister Babalanda conveyed greetings from President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports Janet Kataaha Museveni, and the entire staff of the Office of the President.
She expressed gratitude to the family of Rev. Fr. Musana for nurturing him in the Christian faith, quoting Proverbs 22:6: "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it."
The Minister commended Rev. Fr. Musana for dedicating his life to serving God and guiding the public toward good morals.
"A nation with both good religious and political leaders has its people guided in the right direction, and this leads to peaceful communities," she said. "While their roles are different, their purpose converges on one goal: service to the people and stewardship of the nation."
Minister Babalanda noted that God-fearing citizens speak the truth, reject corruption, and promote honesty in homes, schools, markets, and workplaces. She added that faith teaches forgiveness, tolerance, and love, while religious communities provide spaces for dialogue, reconciliation, and healing during periods of political or tribal tension.
She urged religious leaders to intensify the preaching of the Word of God to help the country confront challenges such as corruption, which she said has eroded public trust in some government institutions and hindered service delivery at the grassroots.
"A strong nation needs both moral citizens and responsible leaders working as partners to influence equitable service delivery and transform the economy," she said.
The Minister appealed to Ugandans to embrace the Four-Acre Model as a pathway to eradicating household poverty and improving incomes. She also encouraged citizens to take advantage of government wealth-creation initiatives, including Emyooga, the Parish Development Model (PDM), and the GROW Project.
As the country enters the final phase of the ongoing Local Council elections, Minister Babalanda called on wananchi to support NRM flag bearers.
"The leadership of the Local Council is the cornerstone of service delivery. It is where PDM beneficiaries are endorsed and monitored, and where security begins at the village level," she said.
"NRM flag bearers understand President Museveni's vision for wealth creation through initiatives such as PDM, Emyooga, improved roads, electricity, healthcare, and security. They will implement this vision and ensure accountability through the appropriate channels."
She also called upon leaders in the Busoga sub-region to work together to combat poverty and ensure that government programs benefit every household.
Rev. Fr. Anthony Musana thanked Minister Babalanda for accepting his invitation to serve as chief guest during the celebration of his 25 years of priestly service.
He praised her as a committed mobilizer, loyal, dedicated, and patriotic cadre of the National Resistance Movement (NRM).
The event was attended by Justice Batema Ndikabona, Registrar of the High Court; Kintu, Deputy Clerk to Parliament; Waiswa; Peace Tibyaze, Woman Member of Parliament for Jinja District; Muyonjo Hussein, Member of Parliament for Jinja Northern Division; Walyomu Moses; Namatovu Masitula, Member of Parliament for Kamuli Municipality; Ambassador Stephen Mubiru; Rev. Fr. Mwase; several local leaders; and residents from across the Busoga sub-region and beyond.
