IGANGA – The Minister for the Presidency, Hon. Babirye Milly Babalanda, yesterday launched the Seventh-day Adventist Church digital evangelism programme dubbed “One Voice27 Mission For All, Hope Starts Here” at Iganga SDA Church, calling on Christians to use their smartphones to preach the Gospel.
The colourful launch attracted hundreds of believers, youth leaders, SDA Church elders, and members of the community who gathered in a spirit of unity and hope.
Addressing the congregation, Minister Babalanda conveyed warm greetings from H.E. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Kataaha Museveni, the Permanent Secretary of the Office of the President, Hajji Yunus Kakande, and the entire staff of the Office of the President.
Minister Babalanda, who also doubles as Director for SDA Busoga Women Field, expressed appreciation to President Museveni for his continuous support of faith-based initiatives and for maintaining peace and stability that allows worship to thrive across the country. Babalanda commended the SDA leadership for the timely innovation, noting that the Church has recognised where the people are today – on their phones.
“In this generation, most Ugandans hold smartphones, and they dedicate more time to them than TVs, radios and newspapers,” she said.
She challenged believers, especially the youths, to convert their phones into pulpits for spreading the Word of God, rather than wasting time on social media vices.
“I urge you to start using your phones as pulpits. In your hand you hold a church and a bible. Instead of using data bundles online to sin, use data bundles to win souls,” Babalanda told the faithful.
She decried the growing misuse of social media among young people, citing online dating exploitation, watching pornographic footage, endless comedy clips, and spreading propaganda and false information.
“Let every online post reflect the scripture of Jesus Christ. Your phone is a powerful mission field,” she emphasised.
The Minister stressed that the NRM government under President Museveni values and upholds freedom of worship and freedom of expression but said that freedom must be exercised responsibly to build morals, unity and patriotism in communities.
She noted that the “One Voice27 Mission” comes at a critical time when Uganda needs moral renewal, adding that social media evangelism has the power to reach millions of internet users who may never enter a physical church building.
Uganda currently has over 19.7 million active mobile internet subscriptions, according to UCC, making digital evangelism a strategic tool for the Church.
Minister Babalanda pledged her full support towards the mission and called upon all religious denominations, cultural leaders and parents to join hands to protect the young generation from moral decay on social media in order to save future generations.
The SDA Church leadership in Iganga thanked the Minister and the Office of the President for honouring their invitation and supporting the Church’s mission to win souls in the digital age.
