President Museveni opens All Saints Church in Sembabule

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni today officially opened All Saints Church in Sembabule, located in the West Buganda Diocese. The new church, which can seat up to 1,200 people, was completed in October 2023 through a partnership between former Foreign Affairs Minister Hon. Sam Kutesa and Tororo Cement Limited.

During his speech, President Museveni thanked Hon. Kutesa and Tororo Cement for their efforts in building such a beautiful place of worship. He also praised the forefathers who introduced Christianity to Uganda, saying their efforts helped transform society.

Museveni gave special appreciation to the family of the late Hasmukh Kanji Patel from Tororo Cement. Even though they are not Christians, the Patel family has funded the construction of many churches across Uganda. The President said their good deeds reflect the teaching of Jesus, who said people should be judged by their actions.

"I want to thank Hon. Kutesa for bringing this idea to the donors. They quickly helped build this Church for us," Museveni said. He noted that although the Indian community follows their own religion, they value purity, good conduct, and brotherhood, which align with Christian teachings.

President Museveni also spoke about the Church’s growing role in Uganda’s development. He said both the Church and the government now work together to promote wealth creation, unity, and national growth. He encouraged believers to continue helping the poor, healing the sick, preaching unity, and working hard.

Reflecting on his own life, Museveni shared that his father, Amos Kaguta, and mother joined Christianity in 1947, even though their elders had resisted it for many years. He credited Christianity with opening the door for education and development in his family.

Representing the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Rt. Rev. Samuel George Bogere Egesa, Bishop of Bukedi Diocese, thanked President Museveni for officiating the event. He praised Museveni’s leadership, including the decision to divide Tororo District into four parts to bring peace between the Japadhola and Iteso communities. Bishop Egesa also encouraged the people of Sembabule to stay united, especially during election seasons.

He also appreciated Tororo Cement for their generosity, noting that they have built churches in many areas across Uganda, not just Sembabule.

Hon. Sam Kutesa, the former Mawogola County North MP, thanked President Museveni for honoring the Sembabule community by attending the event. Kutesa explained that he helped build the church to honor his parents' faith and as a personal thanksgiving to God after surviving throat cancer.

Hon. Shartsi Kutesa Musherure, MP for Mawogola North, thanked her parents for their commitment to God's work and praised President Museveni’s initiatives, including the distribution of 100,000 coffee seedlings to fight poverty in the region.

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Rev. Canon Gaster Nsereko, Bishop of West Buganda Diocese, also thanked the President for his continuous support of churches and church-founded schools. He praised Hon. Kutesa for investing in community projects like churches and schools.

Rev. Canon Enock Muhanguzi, Archdeacon of All Saints Church Sembabule, expressed gratitude to Museveni and the Kutesa family for their major role in building the church.

Speaking on behalf of the Patel family from Tororo Cement, Mr. Manish Varsani said Hon. Kutesa chose to focus on community projects like churches and schools instead of personal benefits, which is why they were eager to support him.

The ceremony was also attended by several ministers, members of parliament, and religious leaders.