JINJA: Busoga Kingdom Prime Minister Dr. Joseph Muvawala has challenged the region’s leaders to put aside past disagreements and work together to protect and advance institutions and development programmes critical to Busoga’s future.
Speaking at Christ Cathedral Bugembe on Tuesday during the ongoing Busoga Prayer Week, Dr. Muvawala said the region would struggle to transform if leaders continued allowing old differences to interfere with current development efforts.
He particularly called for collective action to protect institutions such as Busoga University and strengthen schools and other structures that support the region’s social and economic development.
On Busoga University, Mr Muvawala said he disagreed with proposals that could undermine the institution. He called on Luuka South MP and Busoga Prayer Week organising committee chairman Steven Kisa to engage the Speaker of Parliament and advocate for what is best for Busoga.
He also urged the Bishop of Busoga Diocese, Rt Rev Prof Grace Lubaale, to ensure competent boards are appointed to manage Anglican schools, saying strong institutions are essential to the region’s development.
“Busoga must focus on what can be achieved now,” Mr Muvawala said, urging leaders to stop carrying past disagreements into current development efforts.
Keep PDM funds in Busoga
Muvawala also called for greater attention to the Parish Development Model (PDM), urging leaders to ensure money intended to transform households remains within communities and supports local economic activity.
He said President Museveni had agreed to increase the PDM financing limit from Shs1 million to Shs5 million.
The Prime Minister called on religious leaders to help explain government development programmes to communities and encourage households to use the available opportunities to improve their livelihoods.
He said development must start with individuals, homes and communities, with leaders taking responsibility for improving their immediate surroundings.
Coordinated planning
The call for unity and coordinated development was echoed by Dr Anthony Mula, Director General of the Busoga Consortium for Development (BCD).
Dr Mula commended the National Planning Authority executive director and the Katukiro of Busoga for their role in coordinating development initiatives in the region.
He cited the development of Kimaka Airport and the facelift of Jinja Regional Referral Hospital as examples of projects demonstrating the importance of coordinated planning and leadership.
Dr Mula pledged continued coordination between government, Busoga Kingdom and other development partners to advance infrastructure and other development programmes across the region.
Development must begin at home
The development message continued on Wednesday when the Busoga faithful gathered at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church for the third day of the Prayer Week.
Information and National Guidance Minister Justine Lumumba Kasule, who was the main celebrant, said Busoga’s transformation must begin at individual and household level.
She urged families to engage in productive activities that generate income, particularly through agriculture, and challenged people to examine what they contribute to their households and communities.
“We are here to pray and say, as Busoga, let’s continue moving together to make everybody have something to earn in a home,” Ms Lumumba said.
She said people should use the prayer period to reflect on their achievements, failures and priorities for the coming year.
Lumumba calls for household accountability
Ms Lumumba also called for the fight against corruption to begin at home, saying corruption should not only be viewed as a problem involving public officials.
“Let’s begin fighting corruption at personal level and household level. Selling properties at home without engaging your wife is also corruption and embezzlement. We need to fight it,” she said.
She challenged Basoga to ensure that their daily activities create genuine economic value rather than simply consuming resources without contributing to household productivity.
Church calls for integrity
Fr Gerald Muto, Chancellor of the Diocese of Jinja, challenged Basoga to consider what kind of region they want to leave for future generations.
“We need Busoga of good leaders. We need Busoga of educated children. We need Busoga of no corruption,” he said.
Fr Muto said development would remain difficult if individuals were unwilling to change their own conduct.
“We cannot build a better society if we are not prepared to become better people. We cannot demand integrity from others while making compromises ourselves,” he said.
He also urged Basoga to work together despite differences in religion, politics, profession, education and institutions.
“Unity does not mean that we will all speak alike. Unity means that, despite our differences, we recognise there is something greater than our differences — the good of the people,” he said.
The Busoga Prayer Week runs from September 21 to 27 under the theme “Let Us Rise Up and Build.” It brings together religious, cultural and political leaders and communities to pray and reflect on the region’s development and future.
The prayers are expected to climax on Sunday.
