IGANGA — Minister for the Presidency, Hon. Babirye Milly Babalanda, has launched a Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church digital evangelism campaign dubbed “One Voice27: Mission for All, Hope Starts Here,” urging Christians to turn their smartphones into platforms for preaching the Gospel.
The campaign was launched yesterday at Iganga SDA Church during a colourful gathering attended by hundreds of believers, youth leaders, church elders and members of the community.
Addressing the congregation, Babalanda conveyed greetings from President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Kataaha Museveni, the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the President, Hajji Yunus Kakande, and staff of the Office of the President.
Babalanda, who also serves as Director for SDA Busoga Women Field, commended President Museveni for his continued support for faith-based initiatives and for promoting peace and stability, which she said enables religious communities to worship freely across the country.
She also praised the SDA leadership for embracing digital evangelism, saying the Church had recognised a major shift in how people consume information and communicate.
“In this generation, most Ugandans hold smartphones, and they dedicate more time to them than TVs, radios and newspapers,” she said.
The Minister challenged Christians, particularly young people, to use their smartphones as “digital pulpits” to spread the Word of God instead of engaging in harmful online activities.
“I urge you to start using your phones as pulpits. In your hand you hold a church and a Bible. Instead of using data bundles online to sin, use data bundles to win souls,” Babalanda told the congregation.
She expressed concern over what she described as the growing misuse of social media among young people, citing online dating exploitation, exposure to pornography, excessive consumption of entertainment and the spread of propaganda and false information.
“Let every online post reflect the scripture of Jesus Christ. Your phone is a powerful mission field,” she emphasised.
Babalanda said the NRM Government under President Museveni values and protects freedom of worship and freedom of expression, but cautioned that such freedoms should be exercised responsibly to promote morality, unity and patriotism.
She said the One Voice27 Mission had come at a critical time when Uganda needs moral renewal, noting that digital evangelism could enable the Church to reach millions of internet users who may never physically enter a church.
According to the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), Uganda has more than 19.7 million active mobile internet subscriptions, highlighting the growing potential of digital platforms as a tool for evangelism and community outreach.
Babalanda pledged her full support for the initiative and called on religious denominations, cultural leaders and parents to work together to safeguard young people from harmful online influences.
She said collective efforts were necessary to promote responsible digital citizenship, strengthen moral values and protect future generations.
The SDA Church leadership in Iganga thanked Babalanda and the Office of the President for honouring their invitation and supporting the Church’s mission of spreading the Gospel in the digital age.
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