The Parish Priest of St. Stephen Catholic Parish in Katakwi District, Rev. Fr. Olivier Uwayezu, has called upon Ugandans to remain steadfast in the face of accusations and betrayal, emphasizing that perseverance and faith in God will lead to success.
Fr. Uwayezu was speaking during a thanksgiving Mass and baptism ceremony held at St. John Kaikamosing Zone, a sub-parish under St. Stephen Catholic Parish.
The event was organized by the Christian community in honor of Senior Private Secretary in charge of Political Mobilization at State House and aspiring Member of Parliament for Ngariam County, Daniel Mulalu, for his contributions to the construction of the church.
Drawing inspiration from Luke 5:1-11, the priest reminded the congregation of the story of Peter, who toiled all night without catching any fish until Jesus instructed him to cast his net into the deep waters.
He urged the faithful to listen to the voice of Christ and remain hopeful, no matter the difficulties they encounter.
“Whatever you do, never give up, and always listen to the voice of Christ,” he said.
“If God has given you a chance, He will never disappoint you. You shouldn’t lose hope.”
Fr. Uwayezu also cautioned against the pursuit of wealth through dishonest means, urging people to seek God’s favor rather than relying on force or deceit.
He emphasized that true success comes from hard work, patience, and divine blessings.
Additionally, he called on leaders to support skills development programs for the youth, saying that empowering young people with practical skills would enable them to create jobs and contribute to their communities.
He expressed concern that ignorance was a major hindrance to development in the Teso Sub-region and called for a renewed commitment to hard work and education.
“God did not create us to be poor. We need to embrace knowledge, work hard, and support each other to build a better future,” he said.
In his Homily, Fr. Uwayezu also urged the people of Ngariam County to foster unity and shun divisions, particularly in the political sphere.
He advised them to elect leaders who prioritize development and the well-being of the people.
“When you have leaders with vision, intelligence, and love for their people, development follows,” he remarked.
His message was echoed by Ngariam Sub-County LCIII Chairperson Moses Iteit, who reiterated the importance of perseverance in achieving success.
He also cautioned residents against engaging in divisive and violent politics, urging them to embrace peace and work together for the progress of their community.
“Without persistence, there can be no success. We must unite as one people and focus on the development of Ngariam,” Iteit stated.
Speaking at the event, Dan Mulalu thanked the congregation for their support and reiterated his commitment to serving the people of Ngariam County.
He expressed his belief that leadership is a calling to serve and that he would not tire in his efforts to uplift the lives of the people.
“I have offered myself to serve God’s people, and I will not relent,” Mulalu assured the gathering.
He also proposed organizing special prayers to commemorate the lives lost during insurgencies in the region, suggesting that the prayers be held at Ngariam Sub-County Headquarters.
He noted that Ngariam, Okore, and Palam Sub-Counties suffered some of the highest casualties during past conflicts and that it was important to seek divine healing and reconciliation.
“Holding prayers will help us heal from the wounds of the past and seek God’s guidance for a better future,” he said.
Mulalu also pointed out that many of the challenges facing the people of Ngariam County stemmed from gaps in leadership and governance.
However, he reassured the community that he was committed to addressing these issues and pledged to complete all pending works at the church.
“By April 2025, I will ensure that a contractor is sent to complete the church construction. We must strengthen our places of worship as they are the foundation of our faith and community,” he promised.
The event was attended by hundreds of Christians who gathered to witness the baptism of 30 children and to celebrate their faith.
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