The church must double its efforts of restoring accepted moral standards that would preserve the country from the current global high levels of decadence, President Yoweri Museveni has said. 

The president is optimistic that if religious leaders jointly rekindle their efforts in fostering stronger and responsible family institutions, it will save the country from the bigger threats and repercussions of moral degeneration.  

In his speech delivered by the state minister of Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives David Bahati, during the consecration of Rev Joseph Tumwebaze as the South Buganda regional overseer of Pentecostal churches in Masaka, Museveni observed that the church is equally under serious threat by the changing global dynamics that are causing a decline in moral standards.  

He called upon the leaders of the Pentecostal church to rise to the task of mobilizing their followers to revive and stick to the original values of their faith, which among others include self-reliance, as a way of safeguarding society from unacceptable habits. 

"I'm privileged to have been born and nurtured during the peak of the Balokole movement. Revival Balokole families were among the first to educate children who later became instrumental in social, economic and political development of the region. Regrettably, the revival fires are not burning vigorously as today as they were burning in the past. There is need for revival and renewal of these flames in our churches and societies today.

The church is facing erosion of moral standards. The church is a very important conduit for attitude change towards development. We count on you to sensitise and teach our people the value of self-reliance and honesty. That is the only way in which we shall preserve our nation from these attitudes from the current moral decadence," said Museveni.

Besides performing their religious responsibilities of evangelization, Museveni also called upon the leadership of Pentecostal churches to work out programs that can enhance the livelihoods of their followers.

He challenged the leaders to stop the mentality of relying on followers for the sustainability of the church, arguing it can no longer support the growth of the institutions, hence the need to initiate income-generating projects at institutional levels.

"Gone are the days when the church was dependent on the folk. The current times, the church works hand in hand with folk to better its service and the livelihood of the people it leads. Let all religious leaders embrace this ethic to develop the communities in which they live. We have to work together to eradicate poverty, to combat disease, to fight corruption, and provide the current with a moral compass. Our society looks at you with that endeavor.

Uganda's economy has been transformed, a foundation has been built with the opening up of more manufacturing movements. Therefore, I advise the church to develop more economic-related projects that will support the leaders and church activities," added Museveni.

After his inauguration for a term of five years, pastor Tumwebaze noted that has developed a five-year strategic development plan he intends to share with colleagues to steer both spiritual and economic transformation of the region he was trusted with as the overseer.  

As part of the strategic plan, Tumwebaze launched a regional savings and cooperative society of all Born-again Pentecostal Churches in the area, which he says is intended to generate affordable capital for both the church and its followers. 

Moses Odongo, the national leader of the National Fellowship of Born-Again Pentecostal Churches of Uganda (NFBPC), noted they are committed to closely working with the government in transforming the lives of their congregation. President Museveni contributed Shs 50 million to the Sacco as seed capital. By URN/ The Observer