In anticipation of the Inter-religious Family Festival 2024, the Inter-religious Council of Uganda, in partnership with the Global Peace Foundation and the Ugandan government, is set to celebrate the revitalization of family values and traditions for a harmonious society.
During a press briefing at the Uganda Media Center on June 25, 2024.Dr. Joseph Sserwada, the leader of the Interreligious Council, highlighted the preparatory activities leading up to the festival, including tree planting initiatives that commenced in Katuba Village in Mayuge District on June 6, 2024.
He has informed the media that 10,000 trees have been planted, with a goal of planting 250 million trees over the next 15 years, focusing on environmental conservation.He has also noted that a youth forum engaging over 500 young individuals from various regions took place on June 20, 2024 and were addressed by religious leaders, bankers, opposition figures, and government officials, encouraging them to embody creativity, integrity, and honesty in their professional pursuits.
The Minister of State for National Guidance, Hon. Godfrey Baluku Kabbyanga, assured the public of the government’s commitment to supporting church development activities and urged churches to align with government development initiatives such as the PDM to foster a peaceful community centered on values, skills-based education, and innovation.
“When we receive funds from the PDM, we should advise people to utilize the funds for productive work. I do not subscribe to the notion that wealth hinders one from entering the kingdom of heaven; individuals must work hard to achieve prosperity,”he articulated.
Baluku also commended the church for its contributions to youth empowerment and public healthcare and implored the church to continue fortifying the African family structure and traditions as essential safeguards and mechanisms for preserving African civilization. “Morality originates within the family; a fractured family unit leads to the demise of the entire nation,”he emphasized.
Sserwada concluded by inviting the public to participate in the festival, which will offer complimentary medical services such as cervical cancer screening, TB screening, yellow fever vaccination, sickle cell screening, blood group analyses, among others. The event is scheduled to occur on June 29, 2024, at Kololo Independence Grounds.
