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Minister for Presidency Milly Babalanda has called on religious leaders to mobilize their congregations to participate in government programs like Emyooga and The Parish Development Model, aimed at alleviating poverty. Speaking at Rev. Father Joseph Kizito Tabakula’s silver jubilee celebration, Babalanda emphasized the need for increased sensitization efforts by religious leaders

Minister for Presidency Milly Babalanda has asked religious leaders to mobilise their followers to embrace various government programs aimed at fighting poverty in the country.

Babalanda said that the government has introduced many programs, such as Emyooga and The Parish Development Model, aimed at combating poverty among the poor, but some targeted groups are missing out due to limited sensitisation.

She challenged many leaders who are not doing enough in terms of sensitisation, as they focus primarily on spiritual teachings and ignore development issues.

The minister made these remarks while presiding over the silver jubilee celebrations of service of Rev. Father Joseph Kizito Tabakula, the land estate officer and secretary of education in Jinja Diocese, held at Budini Catholic Parish in Kaliro district.

She hailed Kizito for his dedicated service, which has transformed the Catholic faith and the community both spiritually and in the education sector.

Bishop of Jinja Diocese, Rt. Rev. Charles Martin Wamika, praised Father Kizito for his excellent service since he attained priesthood, with a recent highlight being his success in organising transport for pilgrims during the Martyrs’ Day prayers.

Wamika also encouraged parents and students to embrace science subjects, which are key to transforming the country technologically and competing globally.

“I can’t believe that in this era, many people are still using hand hoes for agriculture, which was abolished long ago in most countries with modern technologies. So, embrace science for modernization,” Wamika said.

He later presented a gift to Father Kizito from Pope Francis for his dedicated service to the Catholic faith.

Father Kizito, born in Kaliro District, expressed his gratitude to his parents and teachers from various institutions that provided a strong foundation for his silver jubilee celebrations.

He also thanked the Catholic community, various institutions, and friends in Jinja Diocese and beyond for their support and good working relationships since he began his service in the diocese.

He requested prayers to achieve 50 years of service, as he remains committed to serving God despite the various challenges he faces.

Rev. Father Anthony Bukyanagandi, who led the prayers, commended Kizito for being firm with the rules of the Catholic Church, despite some people challenging and mocking him for not marrying, even though he is a grown man.

He noted that some people, when greeting him, later ask about his wife, despite knowing he is a priest who cannot marry.

Leaders who attended the celebrations such as Milton Muwuma (MP Kigulu South), Elijah Kagoda (LC5 Kaliro), and Hajji Abubaker Walubi (NRM chairperson Iganga), commended Father Kizito for his contributions to the education sector in the Busoga sub-region through consultancy and championing the construction of various schools.