The Minister for the Presidency, Hon. Babirye Milly Babalanda, argues that women church leaders should preach the gospel that aims at transforming Uganda.
In her message that was presented by the Regional Whip of RDCs/RCCs, Busoga Region, Mr Gulume Richard Bwalyaino, during the closure of the Regional Women Leaders Conference of the Church of Uganda at KHT Hotel, Jinja, under the theme “Roles and Responsibilities of Church Leaders in the Transformation of Our Nation”, the minister extended warm greetings in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and I also conveyed cordial greetings from His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the President of the Republic of Uganda and National Chairperson of the National Resistance Movement.
“Fellow mothers and sisters in the Body of Christ, I am very privileged to congregate with you at this noble Retreat that brings together hundreds of God’s servants. But above all, I am overly humbled to officiate at this meeting organised by my sisters of Eastern Uganda to further foster the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ”, she said.
The Minister thanked the participants for choosing a good theme and embarked on it in relation to the Uganda NDP-IV and Vision 2040.
“I wish to thank you for choosing a very thought-provoking theme for the retreat and also allowing me to share with you about the ‘Roles and Responsibilities of Church Leaders in the Transformation of Our Nation.’” This theme is both a charge and a reminder that nation-building is not merely a political or economic endeavour, but that it is also a profoundly spiritual, moral, and social calling. The church is the solid foundation onto which stable and progressive nations are built. It is through the church that God manifests his might as an author of leadership by choosing leaders that find his favour—hence the solemn reminder that all leadership comes from God! The few points I prepared to share with you today should help us renew our leadership mandate to serve God and the church, and also heed the socioeconomic transformation gospel for our great nation, Uganda, as preached by our dear President, Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni,” she said
The minister told the participants that Church leaders are agents of Godly national transformation.
“The Scriptures declare in Proverbs 14:34 that ‘righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.’” This verse teaches us that the destiny of a nation is not only determined by the size of its GDP or the number of its highways, but most importantly, by the righteousness of its people and the godliness of its leadership. However developed a nation is, it can go to ruins and destruction if the people are wicked — we all know about Sodom and Gomorrah.”
The minister also noted that church leaders are vessels of credible, transformative leadership. “The Bible is rich with examples of women who rose to the challenge of leadership and transformed nations. Some of the most prominent include: Deborah, A prophetess and a judge, a mother in Israel who led her people to victory when others faltered. (Judges 4-5) Esther: A young woman whose courage and wisdom saved an entire people from destruction. (Esther 4:14) Mary, the mother of Jesus: A humble woman who accepted God’s will and became the vessel through whom the Saviour entered the world (Luke 1:38).
“These women teach us that leadership is not about titles or positions. Rather, it is about responsibility, sacrifice, and faithful obedience to God’s call. We therefore have the duty to stand tall and follow in the footsteps of these women. If we do so, our wisdom, courage, and acceptance of the challenge of leadership will shape Uganda and take it to the destiny that we all wish for it,” she added
“Church leaders are the custodians of a nation’s values. Today, our nation faces the twin challenges of moral decay and social disintegration. Corruption, greed, and selfishness are eating away at the soul of our society, partly worsened by a very dynamic technological environment, cultural erosion, and social media, among other things. However, experience already shows that this worrying trend can only be reversed by God. This then calls for the Church to rise to its sacred duty—that of shaping the soul and conscience of the nation,” she says.
The minister also noted that church leaders are the healers, reconcilers, and drivers of socio-economic change.
“On several occasions, our dear president, H.E. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, has emphasised that spiritual leadership must go hand-in-hand with practical actions that enhance wealth creation and uplift Christians from poverty and suffering. Like the virtuous woman of Proverbs 31, who is wise in business, industrious, and generous to the poor, you, our mothers, are called upon to mobilise your communities in education, health, skilling, savings, and agricultural productivity. With that, you will have entrenched socio-economic transformation begin in your home and in your parish—and ultimately, the country.”
“As church leaders, I appeal to you to enforce a sacred partnership between the Church, State, and God. Beloved in Christ, the transformation of Uganda is a sacred partnership between God, the Church, and the State. While the government continues to implement policies under Vision 2040 and the National Development Plan (NDP IV), the heartbeat of national renewal remains the moral and spiritual rebirth of our people—a task for which the Church is uniquely positioned,” the minister says.
“It is here that I make a pastoral appeal to you as women leaders of faith: please stand firm and prayerfully support leadership that protects and uplifts the Church. His Excellency President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni – whose nomination as the NRM presidential flag bearer we celebrate – has been a steadfast friend of the Church and a defender of religious freedom in Uganda because the State has guaranteed the independence of faith institutions and respected the Church’s voice in national affairs, supporting the construction and restoration of cathedrals, bishops’ houses, education and diocesan projects across the country.”
The event was also attended by area leaders and RCCs, among others.
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