A section of religious leaders from Northern Uganda has challenged political and government leaders to address what they describe as persistent leadership gaps that continue to undermine the region’s development despite more than two decades of relative peace.
The concerns were raised on Friday during the fourth edition of the regional prayer breakfast for government and political leaders, convened by Favour of God Ministries in Gulu City.
The prayer breakfast brought together political, cultural, religious, and government leaders to pray for the region and reflect on leadership ahead of the next five-year political term.
Delivering a keynote address, Lango Diocese Bishop Prof. Alfred Olwa said Northern Uganda has made significant strides since the end of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) insurgency, but has failed to register the level of socio-economic transformation witnessed in other parts of the country.
He says that although the region has benefited from improved infrastructure, schools, health facilities, telecommunications, and expanding economic activity, it continues to lag in key development indicators due to weak leadership.
The Northern Uganda Diocese Bishop, Rev. Godfrey Loum, however, echoed the call for ethical leadership, praying that God would raise leaders who govern with integrity, accountability, and the fear of God.
Bishop Loum prayed for an end to corruption, saying public resources should be used for their intended purpose to lift Northern Uganda out of poverty.
Responding to the clergy’s message, the State Minister for Northern Uganda Rehabilitation, Beatrice Akori, urged elected leaders to ensure that every policy, budget, and decision they make during their tenure directly improves the lives of the people they serve.
Akori said leadership should be measured by its impact on ordinary citizens, noting that public office comes with the responsibility to deliver meaningful socio-economic transformation.
Miriam Ogena, the Favour of God Ministries Administrator, said in an interview that the purpose of the prayer breakfast was to enable leaders to align themselves with the purpose of prayers for community transformation.
She says they believe that spiritually transforming the leaders will have a multiplier effect and a direct impact on the people they lead.
By URN
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