Poor People Will Not Go to Heaven - Says Minister for Internal Affairs, Gen Otafiire.

Gen Kahinda Otafiire was quoted in media saying "poor people will not go to heaven because they insult God through lamentations and accusations every day".

Internal Affairs Minister Kahinda Otafiire reportedly made those comments at a school even in Kyenjojo, western Uganda, while telling students that hard work was the antidote to poverty.

The Minister for Internal Affairs Gen. Kahinda Otafiire has urged people to work hard and eradicate poverty instead of lamenting their plight.

Otafiire was on Sunday officiating at the opening of a boys' dormitory of St Klaus Comprehensive Trade School in Bufunjo village, Kifuka Town Council in Kyenjojo district.

"Poor people will not go to heaven because they insult God through lamentations and accusations every day. Why do you disturb God by asking him for money all the time yet he gave you hands, eyes, brains, ears, land, and rains amongst others? The tools he gave you are enough to make you prosper," Otafiire said. 

The minister said there are some people who do not want to work but expect to get rich.

"If you do not use the tools God gave you, do not blame him when you remain poor. Strive to overcome poverty because being rich is glorious," Otafiire said. 

He called upon people to be united and have a collective effort in fostering development instead of dividing themselves based on religions or tribes.

Otafiire also advised parents to invest in education which he said is a foundation for development both at the household and national level.

"If you do not educate your children, whatever is left for them will be squandered including land or money due to poor management. But if you instil in them knowledge through education, you are assured of great benefits," Otafiire said.

The Bishop of Fort Portal Diocese, Rt Rev. Dr Robert Muhirwa, advised people to embrace vocational and technical education which he said helps a person to be self-reliant through job creation.

The school's headteacher, Sr Rosemary Kemigisa, said the school was founded in 2015 and currently has an enrolment of 775 children both at the primary and secondary levels.