President Museveni has asked church leaders to devote more resources to transforming the religious and social-economic lives of the poor in the rural setting in order to end house hold poverty.
While giving his congratulatory remarks at the launch of Mapeera House, Centenary Bank’s new home yesterday, the President said after the impressive success the church has attained, it should now invest more in changing the lives of the rural poor, from subsistence livelihood to producing food for both domestic and commercial consumption.
“According to the 2002 census, 68 per cent of homesteads are under subsistence farming. Statistics show that Centenary Bank has 1.2 million customers. Church leaders should analyse who are these people banking. Are they part of the 68 per cent or from the money economy? Do all categories of Ugandans borrow or not?” Mr Museveni said at the function held in Kampala.
“Given this great success, I would appeal to Bishops to look at the 68 per cent of people who are in subsistence farming. The message should be food security and income security. If we can have all families involved in the production for both food and cash, then everyone will be happy and rich.”
Formed in 1985 by the Catholic Church leadership, Centenary Bank is the biggest indigenous bank in Uganda with 1.2 million account holders, assets of about Shs1 trillion and 54 branches spread across the country.
Yesterday, it officially entered its new headquarters, Mapeera House located opposite Constitution Square, that cost $40 million , all from its retained earnings (internally generated incomes).
At the function, Prof. John Ddumba Ssentamu, the board chairperson Centenary Bank, pledged that his bank will use its current good run to continue catering for the needs of the people.
“When we started 25 years ago, our goal was to provide micro-finance in an easy and convenient way. That is still our focus. Even with this growth, we shall continue to serve with love and unite.” nkalungi@ug.nationmedia.com
0 Comments