Speaker of Parliament Anita Among has donated 50 million shillings to support the grand opening of the new 5,000-seater All Saints Cathedral in Kampala, located in Nakasero.
The event, scheduled for this Friday, November 1, 2024, is expected to be presided over by President Yoweri Museveni and will also include the consecration of Ven. Rev Canon Fredrick Jackson Baalwa as the new Assistant Bishop of the Diocese of Kampala, succeeding the retiring Dr. Hannington Mutebi.
The cathedral’s inauguration will feature several key ceremonies, including the ordination of new clergy and the installation of Canons, with an anticipated attendance of at least 3,000 people.
On Tuesday, Speaker Among was given a guided tour of the new cathedral by Rev Rebecca Nyegenye, the Provost of All Saints Cathedral, where she received an update on the project’s progress.
Speaker Among contributed 50 million shillings to help ensure the success of Friday’s event. She expressed her support, saying, “Today, I’m honored to offer a small contribution. Wherever possible, we’ll continue to support your endeavors. Most importantly, as leaders, we rely on your prayers. Leading this country is no easy task, but with your spiritual support, we’ll persevere.”
John Patrick Amama Mbabazi, Chairperson of the Organizing Committee for Friday’s event, expressed his gratitude for Speaker Among’s contribution. “We have been fundraising for this occasion, and our budget was about 800 million shillings. We had raised nearly all of it, except for a shortage of 50 million. The Right Honorable, without my knowledge, had been gathering information and has provided exactly what we needed for the event,” said Mbabazi.
The new cathedral, under construction since 2010, marks a significant expansion of the church’s worship space from 400 to 5,000 seats.
Vivian Igundura, Chairperson of the All Saints’ Cathedral Project (ACP), shared that the interior work has been completed at a cost of 18 billion shillings, funded by donations from Christians and well-wishers. However, she noted that an additional 7.5 billion shillings is required to complete the exterior work.
“We’re grateful to our parishioners, the Ugandan community, and all well-wishers, regardless of faith, for their kindness and support. We give thanks to the Lord for this blessing,” said Igundura.
The cathedral serves as the seat of the Diocese of Kampala and the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, who also serves as the Diocesan Bishop.