Government to launch parish development model in Bukedi sub-region

Parish Development Model  is a development approach conceived under the Third Development Plan (NDPIII) and prescribed by the NRM Manifesto 2021-2.

By Nelly Otto

Jinja – February 14, 2022: The Minister of State in charge of Bunyoro Affairs Jennifer Kacha Namuyangu has asked religious leaders to embrace all government programs aimed at alleviating poverty among their followers.

Namuyangu says religious organizations are partners and should play complementary roles by giving accurate information and skills to their followers who are also taxpayers.

‘…we are not competitors with one another, so there is no need for religious leaders to antagonize the government by discouraging followers from participating in programs and projects…’ said urged.

The Minister was over the weekend (Saturday) addressing a mammoth congregation during a thanksgiving service organized by the leadership of Universal Apostles Fellowship Church of Righteousness (UAFCR) held at Magwa zone in Jinja City.

She also used the occasion to announce that the long-awaited Parish Development Model (PDM) will be officially launched in her Kibuku district, Bukedi sub-region on February 26, 2022.

‘…the president of the Republic of Uganda will be there to grace the ceremony and launch the model (PDM) which is going to be a vehicle for socioeconomic transformation…’, Namuyangu stressed.

PDM is a development approach conceived under the Third Development Plan (NDPIII) and prescribed by the NRM Manifesto 2021-26 to deepen the decentralization process, improve household incomes, enable inclusive, balanced, and equitable socioeconomic transformation, and increase accountability at local levels.

She highlighted some of the past programs like entankiwa and Youth Livelihood in which billions of funds were injected only to be abused by some shrewd people.

 The minister who is also a senior member of the indigenous Pentecostal church lauded Prophet David Fred Isanga for his exemplary and practical leadership style which has led to the majority of followers living in prosperity.

During the same ceremony, a group of followers handed over a 200m brand new Massey Ferguson tractor to bolster the Nakaseke-based demonstration farm initiated and managed by the Church.

Another group of enthusiastic Christians also donated a First Aid Kit to the Church which has over the years stood out as a self-propagating and sustaining indigenous faith organization without relying on any foreign funding.

On his part, Prophet Isanga who delivered a five-hour sermon to the attentive congregation said the service was meant to thank God for protecting followers and Ugandans in the last two years when the economy and the places of worship went shut down.

‘…we are here to return thanks to God who is the author of everything for keeping us safe amidst risks posed by the dreadful COVID-19 pandemic and to restart a new spiritual journey…’, the soft speaking Isanga said.

He had no kind words for fake pastors whom he kept referring to as false prophets mentioned in the Bible who is misleading the people of God using devilish means like fetishism.

Without mentioning names, Prophet Isanga who abandoned the well-decorated tent and brave the hot afternoon weather to move around the chanting congregation said it’s hypocrisy for some people to get second wives while still claiming to be preaching the Word of God.

‘…they abandon their wedded wives then get a second or third one, while others have a fleet of concubines whom they commit adultery with and shout in pulpits as if everything is normal, Prophet Isanga blasted.

Preaching under the theme: 2022 the year of spiritual righteousness, the man of God clad in an expensive white jacket with a bow-tie, asked Ugandans to shun false prophets who are fleecing them of their hard-earned money at the expense of true righteousness.

 ‘…you hear of holy water, holy oil, holy handkerchiefs, and holy rice, among others that followers must pay heavily purportedly to receive blessings from God which is heresy of the highest level…’, he cautioned, before adding that God’s blessing is free already paid for by Jesus Christ through his sacrificial death on the Cross.

Participants in the daylong service came from all parts of the country including others from neighboring DR Congo, Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda where the Church has branches.