The Minister for the Presidency and Budiope West Member of Parliament, Milly Babirye Babalanda, has called on communities in Buyende District to align faith-based activities with government development programmes, urging residents to actively participate in wealth creation, poverty eradication and improved household livelihoods.
She made the remarks during the commissioning of the Nsomba Seventh-day Adventist Church building on Saturday, where she commended individuals and leaders who contributed to the completion of the project.
Babalanda specifically praised land donor Zebroni Ngoma, who provided 10 acres of land, as well as the family of the late Dhikusoka and Elijah Kagoda Dhikusoka, the Kaliro District Chairperson, for their support toward the church construction.
She described the church as a symbol of unity and sacrifice, noting the wider role of religious institutions in shaping values and driving community development.
“A church is more than just a building; it is a centre for prayer, moral guidance, and community transformation,” she said.
Babalanda urged congregants to use the church as a platform to promote discipline, hard work and mutual respect within their communities.
She also commissioned a water source she donated to serve both the church and the surrounding Nsomba community, calling on residents to protect and sustainably manage it.
The minister encouraged residents to take advantage of government household income and poverty alleviation programmes, while also supporting efforts to combat corruption and idleness.
“I call upon you to align your faith with government development programmes and embrace wealth creation initiatives that fight poverty and improve livelihoods,” she said.
Babalanda reaffirmed government’s commitment to working with faith-based institutions as partners in social transformation, peace-building and service delivery.
She further proposed that part of the 10-acre land donation be used to establish a community demonstration project under the four-acre model, aimed at equipping residents with practical agricultural skills in coffee, fruits, bananas and animal feeds.
“This demonstration project will help community members acquire practical agricultural skills that can be transferred to their own land,” she said.
Babalanda also commended participants of a recent health camp at Jinja Regional Referral Hospital, which offered free medical services with support from Turkish medical professionals, and urged residents to prioritise their health.
The function was attended by the Archbishop of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Pr. Samuel Kajoba, Resident District Commissioners, Busoga Field pastors, local government officials and community members from Budiope West and Buyende District.
