Minister Babalanda Officiates Fr. Musana’s Silver Jubilee, Rallies Support for NRM Candidates in LCI Elections

 

JINJA — The Minister for the Presidency and Woman Member of Parliament for Budiope West Constituency, Hon. Babirye Milly Babalanda, on Saturday officiated at the celebrations marking the Silver Jubilee (25 years) of priesthood for Rev. Fr. Anthony Musana at Wansimba Parish Pastoral Council in Namagera Town Council, Jinja District.

The thanksgiving celebration was held under the theme: “The Favours of the Lord I Will Recall” (Isaiah 63:7).

Addressing the congregation, Hon. Babalanda conveyed greetings from President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Mama Janet Kataaha Museveni, as well as the staff of the Office of the President.

She thanked Rev. Fr. Musana’s family for nurturing him in the Christian faith, quoting Proverbs 22:6: “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”

The Minister praised Fr. Musana for dedicating his life to God’s service and for providing moral and spiritual guidance to communities.

“A nation blessed with both good religious and political leaders is guided in the right direction, resulting in peaceful and prosperous communities. While their roles differ, they share one purpose—serving the people and providing responsible stewardship of the nation,” she said.

Hon. Babalanda noted that God-fearing citizens are more likely to uphold honesty, reject corruption and promote integrity in their homes, schools, markets and workplaces. She added that religious institutions continue to play a vital role in fostering forgiveness, tolerance, reconciliation and national unity, especially during periods of political or tribal tension.

She urged religious leaders to continue preaching the Word of God and to work closely with communities in addressing societal challenges, particularly corruption, which she said has eroded public trust and undermined service delivery in some government institutions.

“A strong nation requires both morally upright citizens and responsible leaders working together to promote equitable service delivery and transform the economy,” she said.

The Minister also encouraged Ugandans to embrace the Four-Acre Model as a practical approach to household wealth creation and poverty eradication. She further urged wananchi to take advantage of government wealth creation initiatives such as Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga and the GROW Project to improve household incomes.

With the country entering the final phase of the ongoing Local Council elections, Hon. Babalanda called on voters to support NRM flag bearers.

“Local Council leadership is the foundation of effective service delivery. It is at this level that PDM beneficiaries are identified, endorsed and monitored, while community security also begins at the village level,” she said.

She added that NRM leaders understand President Museveni’s vision for socio-economic transformation through programmes such as the Parish Development Model, Emyooga, infrastructure development, electricity expansion, healthcare improvement and security enhancement.

The Minister further appealed to leaders across the Busoga Sub-region to work together in the fight against poverty and ensure that government programmes reach every deserving household.

Speaking at the celebration, Rev. Fr. Anthony Musana thanked Hon. Babalanda for accepting his invitation to officiate as chief guest during the commemoration of his 25 years of priestly ministry.

He commended the Minister for her dedication to public service, describing her as a committed mobiliser, loyal, hardworking and patriotic cadre of the National Resistance Movement (NRM).

The celebration was attended by Justice Batema Ndikabona, Registrar of the High Court; Hon. Kintu, Deputy Clerk to Parliament; Mr. Waiswa; Hon. Peace Tibyaze, Woman Representative for Jinja District; Hon. Muyonjo Hussein, Member of Parliament for Jinja Northern Division; Hon. Walyomu Moses; Hon. Namatovu Masitula, Member of Parliament for Kamuli Municipality; Amb. Stephen Mubiru; Rev. Fr. Mwase; several local leaders; and hundreds of faithful and residents from across the Busoga Sub-region and beyond.

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