IGANGA – The Minister for the Presidency, Hon. Babirye Milly Babalanda, has launched the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church digital evangelism programme dubbed “One Voice27 Mission For All, Hope Starts Here”, urging Christians to use their smartphones as tools for spreading the Gospel.
The programme was launched yesterday at Iganga SDA Church during a colourful gathering attended by hundreds of believers, youth leaders, church elders and community members.
Babalanda, who also serves as Director for SDA Busoga Women Field, conveyed greetings from President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Kataaha Museveni, the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the President, Hajji Yunus Kakande, and staff of the Office of the President.
She commended the SDA Church leadership for embracing digital evangelism, noting that smartphones have become one of the main platforms through which people communicate and consume information.
“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 congregation.
The Minister particularly challenged young people to use social media positively instead of engaging in activities she described as harmful, including online dating exploitation, pornography, excessive consumption of comedy content, propaganda and the spread of false information.
She urged believers to ensure that their online activities promote Christian values.
“Let every online post reflect the scripture of Jesus Christ. Your phone is a powerful mission field,” she emphasised.
Babalanda said the government under the National Resistance Movement (NRM) values freedom of worship and freedom of expression, but stressed that such freedoms should be exercised responsibly to promote morality, unity and patriotism.
She said the One Voice27 Mission comes at a time when Uganda needs moral renewal and argued that digital evangelism can enable the Church to reach millions of people who may never physically enter a church.
According to the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), Uganda has more than 19.7 million active mobile internet subscriptions, making digital platforms an increasingly important avenue for communication and outreach.
Babalanda pledged her support for the initiative and called on religious denominations, cultural leaders and parents to work together to protect young people from harmful content online.
The SDA Church leadership in Iganga thanked Babalanda and the Office of the President for supporting the Church’s efforts to spread the Gospel in the digital age.