By Fred Turyakira

THE Seventh -day Adventist (S.D.A) church has commended President Yoweri Museveni and Rebecca Kadaga, the speaker of parliament for their strong stand against homosexuality and corruption in the country.

Pastor Blaisious Ruguri, the Seventh - day Adventist church president in East and Central Africa, said the church supports the government in the fight against homosexuality and corruption. 

“Our stand is “zero tolerance” to this vice and to western influence on this crucial issue because God says no to it.  We are together with the President and the Speaker and we fully support the Anti-Homosexuality Bill. I call upon all religious ministers, all Ugandans, and all Africans to say no to Homosexuality. Let us stand for our sovereignty as Ugandans and as God fearing people even the heavens fall.

He was on Sunday addressing Christians and guests at Mbarara S.D.A church during the inauguration of South-western Uganda Field (SWUF), a level of a diocese in Seventh -day Adventist faith.

They also installed field president, Bishop Bernard Kakuru Bampata at a function attended by State minister for Luwero Triangle who represented President Museveni as the guest of honour. 

Namayanja was accompanied by Kyegegwa district woman MP, Flavia Rwabuhoro Kabahenda and the Mbarara Municipality host MP, Dr. Medard Bitekyerezo.

Ruguri added that the church is partnering with the government of Uganda in staging anti-corruption campaigns to fight corruption that has become a cancer eaten out beloved country to the core.

Museveni in a speech read for him by minister Namayanja assured Ugandans that the government will not tolerate homosexuality and corruption vices. 

“Government has a policy of fighting corrupt officials and set up anti-corruption institutions such as Inspectorate of general of government, anti-corruption in police force, court among others. It is the President that directed for forensic audit in the office of the Prime Minister that discovered billions of funds embezzled and led to the arrests of senior officials,” the President said.  

Museveni warned that government will this time confiscate properties of corrupt officials convicted of swindling public funds as means of fighting the vice.

Namanyanja pledged 300 bags of cement towards the construction of SWUF office structure and promised to deliver the message to the President for his contribution.

MP Bitekyerezo also contributed sh1m while MP Rwabuhoro contributed sh0.2m.

Bishop Bamapata  said SWUF covering the territory of 14 political districts of Ankole and Kigezi has 30 primary schools under Universal primary education (UPE) and three secondary schools, Ishaka Adventist SS in Bushenyi district Ruhanga Adventist SS and Kikoni all in Ntungamo district with USE program.

The church owns health institutions including Ishaka Adventists hospital in Bushenyi and Rutoto dispensary in Rubirizi district.  The church is also planning to construct another health facility in Mbarara to supplement on government health program however, the church still lack funds and asked for the government support.