By Gideon Tumwijukye
KAMPALA:
The Vice President Maj. Rtd. Jessica Alupo has urged Members of Parliament to use the festive season to monitor government programs especially the ongoing Parish Development Model.
“I would like to take this opportunity to implore members of Parliament from both the ruling NRM and opposition to use the long festive season to check on government programs which are being implemented now,” Alupo appealed.
She said this is a rare moment for MPs to spend longer hours with the people who elected leaders into Parliament.
“Use this chance to see what the electorates have been doing especially those that have started receiving money, from the Parish Development Model program ” Alupo urged.
She explained that right now people want services including those from the opposition.
“I am requesting all of us to follow up on all programs at the grassroots because it’s from their outcomes that we shall be speaking to voters in a smiling manner come 2026,” she said.
She made the appeal Thursday evening as MPs, Minister and Parliamentary staff under the Parliamentary Catholic Chaplaincy, met for the Holy Eucharistic celebration and Lighting of the Christmas tree at Parliament.
The Main celebrant was the Most Rev. Lambert Bainomugisha the Archbishop of Mbarara Archdiocese.
Alupo thanked the Bishop for the blessings and colourful mass. The event also saw the launch of a fundraising drive for the construction of a new Cathedral in Mbarara archdiocese and the Archbishop’s house.
Alupo told the Archbishop and the congregation that President Museveni appreciates the work being done by the Archbishop in Mbarara archdiocese and contributed Sh30m towards the construction of a new Cathedral for Mbarara Archdiocese and the Archbishop’s house, handed over by the VP.
On freedom of worship, the VP said freedom of worship is enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda and must be observed as such.
“Under the NRM Government, freedom of worship has been fundamentally implemented and respected by government by allowing Ugandans to pray from anywhere they feel like praying from, because God is omnipresent” Alupo said, adding that efforts of Parliament to have a chaplain where they have Catholics, Anglicans and Moslems or any other religion which would like to conduct prayers in the August house is a positive tribute as enshrined in the Constitution.
The Vice President paid tribute to President Museveni for being an effective leader who has enabled the above environment to prevail.
Alupo assured the Archbishop and the congregation of government commitment to continue working with religious institutions symbiotically.
“We would like to encourage the existing warm relationship that religious leaders have with government to continue blossoming,” said the vice president.
Alupo stressed the message of the deputy speaker Thomas Tayebwa that the three Arms of government are working harmoniously and asked His Grace to continue praying for them to work together.
She acknowledged the corporation which Parliament accords Ministers during the course of their work and promised that Cabinet will continue giving Parliament support to transform the lives of the people together.
