The Busoga Consortium for Development (BCD), along with political leaders and the clergy, has officially launched the 2024 Busoga Prayer Week, dedicated to praying, fasting, and seeking divine intervention for the region’s challenges.
This third edition of the prayer week aims to foster greater unity and collaboration among the political, social, religious, and economic leaders of the Busoga subregion. The event will take place from October 14–20, 2024, with the main gathering being organized at Kiyunga Playground in Luuka District.
Under the theme “Deepening Regional Cohesion as a Foundation for Sustainable Household Transformation,” the initiative is part of BCD’s campaign to build economically harmonious and prosperous households in Busoga through the Village Development Model (VAM). This framework supports the implementation of the 10-year Busoga Development Agenda.
Presiding over the launch at Civil Service College in Jinja on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, Presidency Minister Milly Babirye Babalanda said the prayers would involve all religious denominations under the Inter-Religious Council. These include Anglican, Catholic, Muslim, Orthodox, Seventh-day Adventist (SDA), and Born Again faiths, each leading prayers on a designated day.
In her speech, delivered by Luuka South lawmaker Hon. Stephen Kisa, Babalanda emphasized: “Through prayers and hard work, we have made great strides in reconciling with each other and committing to work together as leaders and people of Busoga, leading to the socio-economic transformation of our region.”
Minister Babalanda highlighted the sense of togetherness demonstrated last year during the Royal Wedding (Embaga ya Mwenemu), where leaders collaborated to ensure the success of the memorable event.
“We have witnessed significant improvements in the performance of our schools at all levels,” she added.
BCD, which seeks to bring together all natives of Busoga, has made substantial contributions to the region’s economic transformation, with residents exploring more productive enterprises focused on household food security and income generation.
Babalanda also elaborated that the BCD’s coordination framework is steering development interventions in the region. She added that Busoga’s stability has been enhanced by the support of the Kyabazinga of Busoga, HRH William Wilberforce Nadiope Gabula IV, who has been a vocal advocate for the region’s transformative journey.
BCD’s Director General, Mr. Anthony Mula, explained that the prayer week would unite Busoga with vital stakeholders to discuss and implement the Busoga Development Agenda, which aims to foster the development of the Kyabazinga’s land.
The development plan laid out by the BCD includes ten strategic pillars, aimed at guiding Busoga’s transformation to greatness. These include the commercialization of agriculture, improvements in health and education, urban development, and mineral development, among others.
Mula stated, “Since the introduction of the prayer week in 2022, Busoga has seen improvements in health and education. We have also made significant progress in Obwakyabazinga bwa Busoga and urbanization.”
“We believe that prayer is a key driver of development. When people come together, they are able to steer development and grow stronger in terms of cohesion, developing a common purpose for the subregion’s advancement,” he added.
According to Babalanda, this year’s theme is grounded in biblical teachings intended to inspire people about the benefits of cohesion in facilitating household transformation. She noted, “As we are guided by our spiritual leaders, this theme is well-supported by our holy books. I ask them to guide the people of Busoga in choosing a suitable lead scripture for the 2024 Busoga Prayer Week.”
The lead scripture for last year’s prayer, held in Namayingo District with Uganda’s Prime Minister Robina Nabanja as the chief guest, was from Genesis 11:6: The Lord said, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them.”
Mula testified that the previous two prayer editions have had a significant impact, helping Busoga forge a bilateral relationship with the Liaoning Province of China, a major milestone for the region.
“I can report that those prayers were not in vain. The key highlights of their success include the coherence of Busoga’s political leadership, with leaders uniting. We are also seeing a growing relationship between the clergy and the political leadership, as well as an appreciation among political leaders of the role religious leaders play,” he added.
At the launch, Bishop Paul Nhaimanhe Mukembo of Busoga Diocese, who also chairs the Inter-Religious Council of Busoga, was represented by Rev. Fredrick Noah Kifuse. Rev. Kifuse emphasized the power of prayer in driving development.
He advocated for unity among Busoga’s leaders and residents, quoting 1 Corinthians 1:10, where Paul preaches togetherness among believers.
“It’s not just about unity; it’s about oneness. Let us unite as elders and religious leaders so the younger generation can emulate us,” Rev. Kifuse said.
The event is expected to be graced by President Yoweri Museveni. Babalanda also mentioned that they eagerly await a special announcement from Busoga Kingdom Premier Dr. Joseph Muvawala regarding the participation of the Kyabazinga.
