President Museveni, who was accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Janet Museveni, said that the Catholic Church Charismatic Movement and other religious institutions, have played a big role in nurturing citizens and shaping people’s morals which, he said, helps shape the minds and thinking of wananchi thus contributing to national development.
He in addition commended the outstanding work played by religious institutions in the nurturing of Ugandans into responsible citizens. He described the institutions as the policemen of the mind.
He noted that Uganda is a very religious country with over 96% of the population ascribing to membership of faith-based religions adding that they partnered with government in reducing the HIV/AIDS prevalence rate from 30% in 1986 to 6%.
He said that government will continue supporting religious institutions in doing their work and assured them that freedom of worship is guaranteed in Uganda.
He thanked them for praying for him and his family as a leader and the country as a whole saying that he has realized that the success of the country are God’s blessings and cannot be taken for granted.
Mbarara Archdiocese’s Fr. John Baptist Bashobora, who is the Director of Yesu Ahurire Spiritual Centre, thanked the President for sparing time from his busy campaign schedule to visit the institution saying that Mr. Museveni’s gesture cannot be taken for granted. He also thanked the President and the NRM Government for guaranteeing peace and security as well as the freedom of worship in the country. He said that Uganda is lucky to have a good leader like President Museveni. He appealed to the President to always ask for God’s guidance while doing his work stressing that those who work with God don’t tire.
The Archbishop of Mbarara, the Most Rev. Paul Bakyenga and the Minister of Works, Mr. John Byabagambi attended the function.
