By Hillary Keingana
MBARARA/SHEEMA, Uganda: The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Jacob Markson Oboth Oboth, has urged Ugandan youth to stay away from violence, drug abuse, corruption and other social vices, calling on them to embrace productive activities such as vocational training, agriculture, technology and entrepreneurship.
Oboth made the remarks on Saturday while representing Vice President Maj. Rtd. Jessica Alupo at the Jubilee celebrations of Mushanga Parish in Sheema District.
The celebrations marked 80 years since the establishment of Mushanga Parish, one of the oldest parishes in the Mbarara Archdiocese.
During the event, a Shs6.5 billion commercial building project planned for Sheema Municipality was launched as part of efforts to strengthen the parish’s financial sustainability.
Speaker Oboth calls for youth empowerment
Speaker Oboth challenged young people to make productive choices and take advantage of opportunities available to them rather than engaging in activities that could undermine their future.
“The youth should avoid vices of violence, drug abuse, corruption and other destructive behaviours and take advantage of things like vocational training, agriculture, technology and entrepreneurship,” Oboth said.
He said the Government of Uganda remains committed to improving household incomes through various development programmes, but stressed that young people must demonstrate discipline, hard work and commitment to benefit from such initiatives.
“Government remains committed to improving the welfare of our people through programmes that will improve household income,” he noted.
Oboth congratulates newly ordained priests
The Speaker also congratulated priests ordained during the parish’s 80-year celebrations, describing priesthood as a call to service and responsibility.
“Those who have been ordained to priesthood, to me it marks a beginning of a new chapter in life. Your ordination is a great privilege and also a responsibility. You are called to imitate Christ through humility, integrity, compassion and service,” he said.
Mbarara Archdiocese promotes church investments
The Head of Laity for Mbarara Archdiocese, Eng. Silver Mugisha, said the Church is increasingly focusing on investments and other income-generating activities to promote self-sustainability.
Mugisha who is the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) Managing Director said the Archdiocese plans to support catechists with coffee seedlings as part of efforts to improve household incomes.
“We have inputs to help you develop in your households and we shall start with the catechists in Mbarara Archdiocese by giving them coffee seedlings to see how they can develop because they are the eyes of our Christians,” Mugisha told the Christians.
He also highlighted major infrastructure investments by the Archdiocese, including a commercial building in Mbarara estimated to cost about Shs12.9 billion.
According to Mugisha, income generated from the building will help support the Archdiocese and strengthen its financial sustainability.
He commended Mushanga Parish for embracing development and investing in commercial infrastructure that could provide a future source of income.
“We applaud Mushanga Parish for being developmental and starting to have plans to construct a commercial building that will be a source of income for the parish in the future,” he said.
Kateshumbwa links faith to development
The Member of Parliament for Sheema Municipality, Dickson Kateshumbwa, commended Mushanga Parish for linking faith with social and economic development.
Kateshumbwa said sustainable religious institutions require stable social, economic and political environments to pursue development initiatives.
He cited Mushanga Parish’s real estate investments and buildings in Kabwohe Town as examples of the parish’s efforts to build sustainable sources of income.
“Religion and faith sustainability move well in a stable political, social and economic system. As we have heard from the laity, it tells us that Mushanga Parish has continuously understood that philosophy,” Kateshumbwa said.
Archbishop Bainomugisha warns against forgetting God
The Archbishop of Mbarara Archdiocese, His Grace Lambert Bainomugisha, cautioned Christians against forgetting God during periods of prosperity and abundance.
He urged Christians to remain faithful even when their economic circumstances improve.
“Don’t forget the Lord once they enter in the land of abundance, when you have eaten and you are satisfied. Don’t exalt yourselves from the Lord. This is a fitting word for a parish like Mushanga marking 80 years,” Archbishop Bainomugisha said.
He also encouraged the newly ordained priests to serve God with obedience and dedicate themselves to preaching the Gospel.
Mushanga Parish marks 80 years
Mushanga Parish was founded in 1946 and is among the oldest parishes in the Mbarara Archdiocese.
The newly launched commercial building will be named Père Gauthier House, in honour of Père Gauthier, the first parish priest of Mushanga Parish, who served from 1946 to 1960.
The planned commercial development is expected to contribute to the parish’s long-term financial sustainability while supporting its religious and community activities. End.
