By: Ismael Kasooha

MUKONO

President Yoweri Museveni has challenged churches to start up projects that sustain its leaders and activities to cause growth of the Church for it to thrive amidst challenging times.

“The NRM has relentlessly been encouraging churches to start up projects that sustain its leaders and activities to cause growth of the church for it to thrive amidst challenging times like these,” said Museveni in a message read for him by the prime minister Rt. Hon. Nabbanja Robinah.

Nabbanja had represented the president at a Thanksgiving ceremony for Gen. Katumba Wamala at the first anniversary for surviving the assassination attempt that occurred on the 1st of June 2021.

Group photo for Ministers during the thanksgiving ceremony for Gen. Katumba Wamala at Kikandwa Church of Uganda in Mukono District

The president said that the church must be at the forefront of ensuring that the flock actively participates in church founded financial generating activities that prosper communities in which they minister.

“Gone are the days when the church was fully dependent on the believers for the survival of its leaders and the welfare of church activities. I am optimistic that the project of our focus today will reduce the dependency of the church on the faithfuls,” said the president.

The president gave the example of the construction of the 2 storied commercial building in Rukungiri Municipality and described it as a worthy project that deserves our full support.

“I therefore appeal to the people of good will that are gathered here to rise to the cause of giving and honouring your pledges, giving in kind and giving out cheerfully towards the construction,” the message read in part.

Museveni said that the word of God is rich and it empowers us with knowledge and wisdom to render ourselves useful in the kingdom of God since we are fellow workmen with Christ.

“Please, do not withhold that which God has entrusted you with to build his Kingdom. The bible says in the book of Proverbs 11:24 that; One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly but comes to poverty. I therefore encourage you to walk in the same anointing so that what you give may be multiplied,” said the president.

The president said that It’s a privilege for him to be part of this event of thanksgiving and groundbreaking for the improvement of Kikandwa Church of Uganda.

“I thank the Minister of Works and Transport for the invitation extended to me and the entire team for organizing such a great function. I also applaud the leadership and administrative board of Kikandwa Church of Uganda and the entire Kasawo Community for the work you have been doing over the years of upholding the work of God and nurturing the people unto physical and spiritual well-being,” Museveni said.

He said that this occasion presents to all of us a challenge and a call for us to carry each other’s burden in service by giving part of our proceeds to God.

Government appreciates the role played by the church in reaching out to the masses through social reconstruction and development for many years in Uganda.

The church through charitable projects that offer services to the people like; hospitals, financial institutions/banks, homes for the underprivileged, schools and digging safe water services has upheld its banner of ministering to the people and spreading the gospel in deed and leading by example.

General Katumba Wamala decided to conduct a fundraising for church construction as a gesture of appreciation for God’s mercy that saved his life after the assassination attempt

As a gesture of appreciation to God’s mercy that saved his life, General Wamala pledged to construct a new church – St. Mark Kikandwa Church of Uganda, located in Nakifuma County – Mukono district.

The ground breaking ceremony was performed by the Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja who represented President Museveni.

This ground breaking ceremony was preceded by a fundraising and thanks giving ceremony for General Katumba Wamala’s family. The main celebrant was the Most Reverend Dr. Steven Kazimba Mugalu, the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda.

Ground breaking function at Kikandwa Anglican Church

During a mega fundraising to collect money for the new church construction project, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja delivered 50 million shillings donated by President Museveni.

She also made a personal contribution of 10 million shillings.

On his part, General Katumba Wamala thanked God for allowing him the second chance to live. He also thanked the President for standing with him during that trying moment.

“Today I stand before you as a testimony that God is faithful and merciful. It was by his grace that today I’m not being referred to as the late Katumba.  I’m very thankful to God, very, very thankful,” said Katumba.

Katumba thanked President Yoweri Museveni for standing with him during the difficult and trying moment.

“The president stood with me. Even when I was being rushed to the stabilization ward, among the first calls that came in was the H.E the president’s call. I want to thank him for being so fatherly, he comforted me, talked to me and gave me encouragement,” said Katumba.

The thanksgiving and ground breaking ceremony attracted a cross section of people who included Ministers, Members of Parliament, senior government officials, the business community and Agencies, who made huge financial contributions towards the new church construction project.

Prominent among those who graced the occasion included the Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa and the 3rd Deputy Prime Minister Lukia Nakadama, Sam Kahamba Kuteesa, the former Foreign Affairs Minister. END