President of Uganda Yoweri Museveni has called women of the Seventh-day Adventist Church to work hard to eradicate household poverty.

“Work hard and ensure that you eradicate poverty,” said the president to a delegation of around 100 Adventist women from Uganda’s Busoga Sub-Region who called on him at the State House in Entebbe on March 30. The government is supporting theirs and other Ugandans’ efforts through the “Operation Wealth Creation Program,” the president reminded them. “Now we want to make sure that these funds are properly used for the benefit of the people,” he said.

According to an official release from the Office of the President, Museveni commended the group of ladies for their efforts and noted that he appreciates that the Adventist members not only talk but act accordingly. “You are a community that maintains discipline,” he said.

Museveni shared that in the past, he benefited from Adventist education. “I received my infant education in a Seventh-day Adventist school close to my home,” he said, as he noted that along the years, the church has helped many young people in their efforts to get an education.

Museveni also said his administration is interested in modern agricultural methods, and assured the delegation of Adventist women that the government will facilitate irrigation equipment for those who need it and can’t afford it.

At the same time, Museveni asked his audience to make their best not to destroy water bodies and wetlands, an ongoing problem in Uganda. “For the benefit of all the people, we must protect the environment, in line with God’s creation,” he said.

The leader of the Busoga Adventist women delegation Mary Namuluma Kyebambe thanked the president for supporting all Ugandans irrespective of their religion or tribe. “I salute you for having eliminated sectarianism in the country,” she said, as she assured him that he could count on their support.

Museveni pledged a special donation for the Busoga Seventh-day Adventist Women Savings and Credit Cooperative Society (SACCO), the organization under which this group of women provides various services of assistance to their communities. According to the Office of the President, Museveni also pledged to furnish them with a pick-up truck to facilitate their operations.

“Thank you for the Operation Wealth Creation Program,” said Kyebambe. “And thank you for all your national development efforts.”