President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has urged Ugandans to work hard, utilise their God-given talents and actively participate in building the country, saying development requires individual responsibility.
The President made the call on Thursday during the 28th Uganda National Prayer Breakfast held at State House, Entebbe, under the theme, “Wake Up, Work Hard, Build Uganda.” The annual event, organised by Parliament, was held on the eve of Uganda’s 64th Independence anniversary.
President Museveni said the Biblical teaching on the parable of the talents encourages people to make productive use of what they have been entrusted with instead of leaving their abilities idle.
“I cannot sit on my talents; I must multiply them,” President Museveni said, recalling how he used the parable to challenge interpretations of Christianity that appeared to glorify poverty or discourage people from working to improve their lives.
He said Ugandans have a responsibility to contribute to the development of the country, arguing that this is consistent with Biblical teachings on human beings’ responsibility over creation.
The President also cautioned against sectarianism, recalling his experience as a student leader in the 1960s when he opposed politics based on tribe and religion.
He said people should not hate others because of their tribe or religion because all human beings are created by God.
President Museveni also said the National Prayer Breakfast provides an opportunity for Ugandans to reflect on the relationship between faith, unity and national development.
He commended Parliament for sustaining the annual prayer tradition, which he said originated from the United States, where prayer was used to foster dialogue and unity among political leaders during periods of conflict.
First Lady Janet Kataaha Museveni, who led the closing prayer, thanked God for Uganda’s achievements and her recovery from illness.
She also prayed for continued national development, adequate rainfall and greater investment in irrigation to reduce the country’s dependence on rain-fed agriculture.
The First Lady further prayed that Uganda’s natural resources would benefit the country and contribute to economic growth, while thanking God for developments in the oil and gas sector.
She called for servant leadership among government officials and prayed for wisdom and guidance for the President, as well as national unity.
Speaker of Parliament Jacob Markson Oboth Oboth commended President Museveni for continuing to host the National Prayer Breakfast at State House, saying the event provides an opportunity for leaders to reflect and pray for the country.
He said the theme of the breakfast was timely as Uganda pursues industrialisation, infrastructure development, peace and security.
The keynote address was delivered by former Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic Eduard Heger, while legislators led prayers for families, the economy, the nation, the region and global peace.
The event also featured a testimony by Dr Canon Gaster Lule, founder of Ntake Bakery, which was established in 1978.
