By Mulengera Reporters
Kampala-based lawyer Dr. David Balondemu used Central Busoga Diocese Bishop Rt. Rev Canon Patrick Wakula’s 61th birthday celebrations to rally his Basoga co-ethnics to vigorously embrace government programs especially those geared towards lifting them out of poverty while exposing them to income and wealth creation opportunities.
Balondemu, who also chairs the all-powerful Kampala District Land Board, observed that Busoga households already involved in commercial sugarcane growing stand to benefit much more if residents warmed up towards and embraced government programs or interventions like Parish Development Model through which the GoU intends to sink billions to obliterate poverty out of especially rural Uganda. Balondemu predicted that PDM would amplify household incomes more than any other GoU program implemented before.
He saluted Bishop Wakula for deliberately amplifying mobilisation of people into such programs and implored other clerics to emulate him on that. He observed that the clerics have a lot of influence which they must use to effectively impact the GoU programs aimed at boosting household incomes.
“Religious leaders should be frank and impress it on their followers that worshipping without work is not acceptable even before God,” said Balondemu. The Bishop Wakula thanksgiving event he was presiding over was held at Mum Resort Hotel.
“It is incumbent upon religious leaders to popularize government programs like the current Parish Development Model (PDM) among others all of which are geared towards poverty eradication in communities among the respective followers. Busoga region is commonly known for sugarcane farming and our people should be mobilized to embrace the PDM for better output,” he said.
On his part, Rt. Rev. Patrick Wakula revealed that he was celebrating this birthday for the first time. He reflected on his childhood during which (having been born a premature at just seven months) he lost his father when still young. He reflected on his life story which has been complex including being poisoned in 2018 when he had served as Bishop for only 2 years having ascended office in 2016.
The poison experience saw him spend six months in a Kampala hospital. “I’m grateful to God for all that far He has brought me amidst such challenges. I’m optimistic that the remaining four years to serve as a Bishop will be fruitful as we are currently raising funds for the reconstruction of the modern Cathedral,” he said.
Though his father died at early age, Bishop Wakula is grateful to his mother Lovinsa Wakula (87) and grandmother Maria Amuza (104) who are still alive. The birthday party was organized by the Central Busoga Diocesan members of staff, a gesture for which Bishop Wakula saluted them. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [whatsapp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
