President Yoweri Museveni has called on religious leaders to encourage Christians to work hard while also pursuing spirituality.
President Museveni, who joined pilgrims from across Uganda and abroad to mark Martyrs’ Day, said Christians must work hard and aim to achieve a decent life.
The President called on Christians to venture into lucrative businesses in various sectors, including commercial agriculture, industry, services and ICT.
“The Christian ministry is one that encourages believers to strive to achieve a decent standard of living. In the process of working for heaven, some believers neglect their earthly responsibilities, thereby perpetuating and entrenching socio-economic backwardness and poverty in their families and societies,” Museveni said.
“In a modern economy, without money you cannot obtain the goods and services you need to survive. The first step that individuals and households must take is to move away from a life without money or a subsistence lifestyle that meets only one need – food,” he added.
Martyrs’ Day is a day commemorated annually to honour the achievements of Ugandan martyrs who were executed for refusing to renounce Christianity under the rule of Kabaka Muwanga.
President Museveni stressed the importance of the commemoration, noting that the persecution and death of the martyrs marked the spread of Christianity in Uganda and throughout Africa.
“This commemoration is important because the persecution and death of the martyrs did not stop the spread of Christianity in Uganda and other parts of Africa. Their blood watered the seeds of Christianity. So the blood was not shed in vain because their death sparked the growth of Christianity,” President Museveni said.
President Museveni reflected on the actions of President Kabaka Mwanga, noting that the persecution of Christian converts was wrong and ultimately futile.
President Museveni urged Christians to forgive Kabaka Mwanga, likening his actions to those of Saul before his conversion to St. Paul. “Kabaka Mwanga was blind and acted in ignorance,” he said, urging forgiveness and understanding.
President Museveni further said the stories of Uganda’s martyrs demonstrate the impossibility of suppressing righteous and progressive ideas, especially those rooted in piety and humanity. He commended Christian teachings for their universal appeal and their role in promoting good neighbourliness, honesty, integrity and self-control among their followers.
“The Gospel helps us to develop the fear of God and love for others, regardless of tribe, region or religion,” President Museveni said, calling for unity and peaceful coexistence in Uganda and across Africa.
The origins of Uganda Martyrs’ Day date back to the first decade of Christian presence in the East African country. Between January 31, 1885 and January 27, 1887, the King of Buganda executed 45 men aged between 14 and 50 for their religious beliefs.
The event attracts millions of pilgrims from around the world and begins a month earlier with pilgrims walking thousands of kilometres to Namugongo to pay tribute to Ugandan martyrs who are recognised for their bravery and courage in the Christian faith.
