RELIGIOUS LEADERS URGED TO COLLABORATE WITH GOVERNMENT IN DRIVING SOCIO-ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION

Religious leaders join the Minister of State for Northern Uganda and the NRM Secretary General for a group photo following the religious conference.

By Proscovia Achomo
Gulu City

In a powerful display of interfaith unity, religious leaders across the Acholi sub-region have been called upon to deepen their collaboration with the Ugandan government to drive lasting socio-economic transformation in Northern Uganda.
 
This historic appeal was made during a high-level interfaith conference held at the Gulu Logistics Hub, organized by the Office of the National Coordinator for Operation Wealth Creation (OWC).
 
The conference, which drew over 200 senior leaders from all major religious denominations in the region, emphasized the urgent need for faith institutions to go beyond traditional spiritual roles and engage actively in development initiatives that directly uplift the livelihoods of their congregants and broader communities.
 
The event opened with calls for unity, innovation, and pragmatic collaboration between state institutions and religious entities to address long-standing socio-economic challenges in Northern Uganda. Among the key themes was the importance of leveraging the moral authority of faith leaders to promote government programs centered on agricultural modernization, youth empowerment, peacebuilding, education, and wealth creation.
 
Speaking as guest of honor, Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong, Secretary General of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), underscored the unique role of religious leaders as moral and social influencers. “Religious leaders occupy a sacred space in the hearts and minds of our people. Their voices carry weight. Their messages shape behavior and build communities,” Todwong said. “We shall build a better, peaceful, and prosperous country if religious leaders, cultural leaders, and the government work together not by compromising with each other, but by critically identifying the issues that matter,” Todwong added.
 
He also appealed to the religious leaders to use their platforms to nurture and promote good leaders who are honest, competent, and who put people first and discouraging selfish politics, division, and corruption.
 
Delivering one of the most powerful messages at the conference, Archbishop Emeritus Dr. John Baptist Odama, Chairman of the Acholi Religious Leaders Peace Initiative (ARLPI), emphasized that true transformation in the Acholi sub-region cannot occur without addressing the mental health crisis still plaguing many communities in the aftermath of decades of conflict and displacement. “Trauma plays a very big role, and it is still there—stress is still there. The rates of alcoholism, the smoking of ‘jai’, domestic violence, suicide—these are symptoms of unhealed pain,” Archbishop Odama said.
 
He added, “If we don’t address these issues seriously, development efforts will keep failing. I would like the government to support and establish more counseling centers, either in schools or hospitals, to help our people heal.” He stressed that poverty in the region is not merely a lack of material resources, but often stems from deep psychological wounds, broken family structures, and a loss of self-worth caused by prolonged exposure to violence and instability. “You cannot expect people to participate in economic activities when their spirits are broken. Healing the mind and the heart must be part of any serious development agenda,” he concluded.
 
Archbishop Odama also emphasized that the Acholi Religious Leaders Peace Initiative remains committed to strengthening social cohesion and ethical governance by working alongside government and civil society partners.
 
Pastor Joseph Ivan Oloka, Senior Pastor of Miracle Life Arena and General Overseer of International Miracle Life Ministries in Gulu City, provided a strategic framework for religious engagement in development, referencing the “Seven Mountains of Influence:” religion, family, education, government, media, arts, and business. “A nation cannot thrive if any one of these mountains is ignored. The church must engage not just in spiritual matters but in education, economy, family, and politics,” he said. “The time is right for the church to sit at the same table with government not in competition, but in collaboration. We are ready.”
 
Hon. Dr. Kenneth Omona, Minister of State for Northern Uganda, also delivered a passionate appeal, urging religious leaders to see themselves as active stakeholders in Uganda’s development agenda not just spiritual custodians. “The future of this region lies not only in prayers, but in purposeful action. Religious leaders must be at the frontlines of community mobilization, mindset change, and resource utilization,” Dr. Omona emphasized. “Government cannot succeed without the trust and reach of the religious sector. You have access, influence, and credibility that we cannot replicate. Let us walk together, not apart.”
 
Kenneth Oketa, the OWC Information Management Centre (IMC) team leader, echoed these sentiments, stressing that the success of government programs depends on strong community mobilization—an area where religious institutions have proven their strength. “Faith-based institutions can help bridge the gap between government intentions and community action. You are in the best position to promote agricultural productivity, savings culture, and youth innovation,” an OWC official said. “Let us build a culture of self-reliance, discipline, and entrepreneurship starting from the places of worship.”
 
As the conference concluded, a resounding commitment emerged from both the government and religious leaders to continue this collaboration. Specific areas identified for joint focus include: Mental health and trauma recovery, Youth empowerment and skilling, Ethical leadership development, Community counseling and psychosocial support, Agricultural productivity and financial literacy, Peacebuilding and social cohesion.