Rtd Gen Salim Saleh the Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) Chief Coordinator has stressed the need for religious leaders in Uganda to understand and participate in the national budgeting process.
While officiating as chief guest at the closure of the four day Rwenzori diocese conversion at St John’s cathedral, Gen Saleh stated that religious leaders won’t understand government’s anti poverty programs without understanding the national budget fast.
“If you don’t understand the budget of the country then you cannot understand the anti poverty programs,” Gen Saleh said as he handed over copies of the 2016/17 and 2017/18 budget of the agriculture sector to Bishop Reuben Kisembo of Rwenzori diocese.
He also gave Bishop Kisembo a copy of the OWC operational guidelines.
“You need to understand especially the budget of the agricultural sector because it is where most of your people belong” he said.
He urged the religious leaders to always participate in the national planning cycle at the district level.
“When the district is holding its budget conference with the ministry of finance you should go there as religious leaders and participate” he stressed.
He emphasized the need for religious leaders to understand the national budget just like they understand the Bible.
During the ceremony, Gen Saleh donated a first class embroidery kit to the diocesan mothers union and promised to donate the same to each of the 8 archdeaconries of Rwenzori diocese.
The ceremony was also attended by the Gender minister Peace Mutuuzo who urged the faithful to maximally utilize government’s programs of Youth Livelihood and the Uganda Women Entrepreneurship.
The convention attracted both national and international participants.
In his summon, Bishop Kisembo said that most people have gone astray because they have turned away from the Lord.
Citing the rising cases of domestic violence and criminality, Bishop Kisembo called for repentance and forgiveness amongst Ugandans.
He also urged the clergy to always pray for peace.
