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president Yoweri Kaguta Museveni praised the Catholic Church for mentoring youth and promoting wealth creation during the National Catholic Youth Conference in Hoima City, attended by over 15,000 participants.

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni at the National Catholic Youth Conference in Hoima City

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has praised the Catholic Church for mentoring young people and mobilizing them to embrace wealth creation initiatives.

“I’m very glad that the Catholic Church is enforcing what the government has been trying to do by turning you into wealth creators. You shouldn’t be just spectators,” the President said while addressing over 15,000 youths at the National Catholic Youth Conference in Hoima City.

The weeklong conference, held at Our Lady of Lourdes Bujumbura Cathedral from December 10 to 15, 2024, brought together participants from Catholic dioceses across Uganda. President Museveni commended the Church for mentoring the youth, emphasizing the importance of combining ideology and spirituality with their biological energy.

“When you talk about youths, don’t talk about only biology; you must also add ideology and spirituality. This is what the Catholic Church is doing, and I’m very happy with that,” he remarked.

Museveni highlighted the challenges Uganda faced post-independence, attributing them to a lack of ideological grounding among leaders at the time. “Being young without ideology and spirituality is not enough. It can lead to very dangerous consequences,” he noted.

Catholic Church Praised for Guiding Youths Toward Wealth Creation

The President also appreciated the Church’s shift towards addressing socio-economic issues in addition to preaching the gospel. He pointed to Jesus Christ’s mission as an example, saying, “He preached the gospel, healed the sick, fed the hungry, and worked with his own hands. I’m glad the Church is now addressing socio-economic issues as well.”

Museveni urged the youths to reject politics of identity, which he described as a barrier to national development. “Identity is personal, but it should not conflict with the interests of others. Focusing on identity over shared interests is self-defeating,” he cautioned.

The President encouraged the adoption of the NRM’s four core principles—Patriotism, Pan-Africanism, Socio-economic Transformation, and Democracy—and called on the youth to join the money economy. He recommended high-value activities like coffee farming, poultry, piggery, and fish farming for those with small landholdings.

Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja commended the President for his support and highlighted infrastructure developments in the Bunyoro sub-region, including roads, Kabalega Airport, and Hoima Stadium.

Bishop Vincent Kirabo of Hoima Diocese described the conference as a vibrant platform for young people to exchange ideas and address modern challenges. “The youths have been empowered to actively participate in the socio-economic development of the country,” he said, thanking the President for his continuous support.

The event also featured contributions from Ministers, Members of Parliament, and other leaders, reflecting a shared commitment to youth empowerment and national development.