Butaleja Woman MP Hosts Religious Leaders, Gifts Them, and Urges Unity Against Poverty
"As leaders in your respective faiths, you play a vital role in shaping society. We need to work together—regardless of denomination or religion—to lift our communities out of poverty," Nebanda said.
The Woman Member of Parliament for Butaleja District, Hon. Florence Andiru Nebanda, on Tuesday hosted a high-profile interfaith meeting attended by hundreds of religious leaders, including Sheikhs, Imams, Amilats, and Reverends from Catholic, Anglican, and other faith communities. The meeting aimed at fostering religious harmony, appreciating spiritual leaders for their community service, and forging a united front in the fight against poverty.
Held in Butaleja, the event served both as a thanksgiving gathering and a consultative forum, where the MP emphasized unity and non-discrimination along religious lines. Hon. Nebanda used the platform to reaffirm her commitment to helping religious and community leaders access key government poverty-alleviation programs such as the Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga, and the Women's Livelihood Fund.
"As leaders in your respective faiths, you play a vital role in shaping society. We need to work together—regardless of denomination or religion—to lift our communities out of poverty," Nebanda said.
In a show of goodwill, the MP presented Christian leaders—both Catholic and Anglican—with boxes of altar wine, each containing 12 bottles. She also pledged to donate cattle to the local mosque in preparation for the upcoming Iddi celebrations. Hon. Nebanda further revealed that she had already donated Qurans to the mosque and promised to continue supporting the Muslim community, particularly if re-elected in the next general elections.
Religious Leaders Respond
The Butaleja District Khadi, Sheikh Mohammed Ramadan Muserengu, lauded Nebanda for her generosity and inclusive leadership, stating, "Whoever gives for the sake of others receives manifold blessings from Allah." He urged all political actors to avoid divisive and malicious politics, advising the MP to ensure her campaigners practice issue-based politics rather than spreading falsehoods.
Sheikh Muserengu also condemned recent events where a man identified as Richard Mudehere allegedly misled the public by claiming ties to the First Family. According to the Sheikh, Mudehere organized a gathering at Butaleja Booma Grounds, failed to provide food or assistance, and angered attendees, some of whom walked away with plastic chairs belonging to a service provider.
The religious leader expressed regret for participating in the poorly organized event and cited it as an example of political exploitation. He also recalled another incident where a politician convened a function without adequate preparation, failing to facilitate or even feed invited religious leaders.
Meanwhile, the District Khadi of Budaka, Sheikh Mohammed Zubair Haibala, also praised Hon. Nebanda for her commitment to the Muslim community, stating that she was the first politician to show genuine appreciation to Muslims in the region.
"Our people, especially Muslims in Budaka, have for long been left out of government programs like PDM. What Hon. Nebanda has done is a clear gesture of inclusion and respect," he said.
Calls for Female Empowerment and Family Responsibility
The Deputy District Amilat, Hadija Bint Musa, called on well-off members of society to help Muslim women undertake the Hajj pilgrimage—a key pillar of Islam. She also raised concern over the increasing trend of men abandoning their families, leading to school dropouts among children and deepening poverty among women-headed households.
"We need community sensitization and support to restore family responsibility and encourage male involvement in raising and educating children," Hadija said.
Political Aspirants Weigh In
Yossia Habagaya, an aspirant for the East Bunyole parliamentary seat, commended Hon. Nebanda for her initiative in bringing together religious leaders under one roof, describing it as a powerful act of unity.
"Her gesture shows a deep understanding of the role faith plays in social development. This is the kind of leadership that promotes peace and inclusiveness," Habagaya remarked, urging residents to uphold the unity fostered during the meeting.
The interfaith dialogue hosted by Hon. Florence Andiru Nebanda reflects an important step toward fostering religious harmony and mobilizing faith leaders in the fight against poverty. As Uganda pushes forward with community-based development programs, such inclusive engagements may prove vital in ensuring that no group is left behind.
