President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has commended the church for what he described as a significant transformation from being part of the problem to now being a cornerstone of peace, responsibility and spiritual progress in Uganda.
He made the remarks today while officially closing the Light Up Uganda for Jesus Mission Convention at Kololo Independence Grounds. The five-day spiritual gathering, which began on May 19th, 2025, was hosted by Pastor Patience Rwabwogo, the Lead Pastor of Covenant Nations Church, under the theme: “The Crossing”.
The day’s preaching was delivered by guest speaker Bishop LaDonna Osborn, who emphasized peace, leadership responsibility, and togetherness among Ugandans. Drawing from Philippians 4:5 and Ephesians 2:10, she reminded the nation’s leaders and citizens alike of their divine purpose.“We are His workmanship, urging all believers to live out their calling with love and unity,” she declared.
The convention also included powerful intercessory prayers specifically dedicated to the Central Region, focusing on spiritual revival, social healing, and national stability.
President Museveni who was accompanied by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Kataaha Museveni said: “I congratulate Patience and her church for this great effort, and I will say why later.”
He emphasized that for a long time, churches and religious institutions had contributed to divisions within Uganda and elsewhere, citing historical examples of sectarianism. “I want to congratulate the churches because it seems you are improving” he said.
President Museveni reflected on Uganda’s past, where religion was a basis for political affiliation during the 1962 elections, leading to entrenched divisions. “One party was for the Catholics, another for the Protestants, and another for the Baganda. The peace we are enjoying in Uganda now is because we rejected that rubbish,” he said.
The President also credited the National Resistance Movement (NRM) for refusing to adopt the divisive politics of religious denominations and emphasized Africa’s deep roots and resilient societies that existed long before the arrival of foreign religions. “African societies are ancient four and a half million years old. Islam came in 1841, Anglicanism in 1877, and Catholicism in 1879. Yet within ten years, they were already fighting each other using guns: Protestants backed by England, Catholics by France, and Muslims by Turkey,” he said.
President Museveni, who said he took a personal interest in Christianity, outlined six core values he drew from the Bible that have guided his beliefs and leadership.
“Number one is resurrection. Traditional religion wasn’t clear on this. They said in our language, ‘abaafa tibazooka’ (the dead do not return). But Christianity introduced the idea of life after death,” he said.
President Museveni also praised the parable of the talents for promoting responsibility and productivity, values aligned with the NRM’s development agenda. “That parable tells people to use their talents, improve their lives, and glorify God. It resonates with what God said in Genesis: ‘Multiply and fill the earth,” he said.
He strongly emphasized the parable of the Good Samaritan as a rejection of sectarianism and racism, a principle on which the NRM was founded. Referencing St. Paul, President Museveni denounced laziness and misinterpretations of scripture that undermine the work ethic. “In the 1960s, some people wrongly said we should live like the birds of the air, which God feeds. But St. Paul said if you don’t work, you shouldn’t eat. Even Jesus worked in Joseph’s carpentry shop,” he said.
His sixth point focused on leading by example and avoiding religious disputes. “Let your light shine before men so they see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Instead of fighting over who is right, just live rightly. You don’t know what God said for sure, so don’t waste time on controversies,” he said.
The President urged religious leaders to acknowledge both the positive and negative aspects of tradition, pointing out that not everything inherited should be accepted. “We rejected homosexuality, so you can’t say all traditional practices are correct. You must sift the good from the bad,” he said.
He thanked Bishop Osborn and the wider religious community for their spiritual leadership and moral clarity in an age of growing Western influence.
On her part, the First Lady also hailed Pastor Patience for her unwavering commitment to God’s call, describing her as a faithful servant whose obedience is shaping the spiritual direction of Uganda. “I congratulate and thank you, Patience, for your willingness to listen to the Lord and follow through with the instructions you hear,” Maama Janet said.
She emphasized that Uganda is undergoing a critical season of transition, one that mirrors the biblical crossing of the Jordan by the children of Israel under Joshua’s leadership. She warned that moments of national transition often attract spiritual resistance. “The enemy always tries to derail people and nations during times like these. But with unity, prayer, and obedience, we shall prevail.”
Drawing from Joshua chapter 3 the anchor scripture for the convention, Maama Janet laid out three spiritual principles necessary for Uganda’s successful transition: Priesthood, Covenant and Consecration. “The Priesthood that led the crossing then, is today’s Church of Jesus Christ. You must stand united in servant leadership, leading the people with humility and prayer especially as the country enters the election season.”
Despite the challenges Uganda may face, the First Lady expressed confidence that the country will cross into its destiny.
Pastor Patience gave a deeply emotional reflection on what she called a “life-altering encounter with the Lord,” declaring that Uganda is witnessing a season of divine restoration and healing.
“We started in Masindi,and the Lord led us here. Everywhere He sent us there has been healing, deliverance, restoration, forgiveness. This week, we encountered God in this land. We are forever changed,” she said.
She described the spiritual tone of the week as one of deep deliverance and emotional healing.“There were burdens, pain, heaviness but by the end, there was joy.” Pastor Patience also paid tribute to those who stood behind the scenes especially her husband, Mr. Odrek Rwabwogo.
In attendance were also religious leaders, including, Rev. Canon Michael Lubowa, Bishop of Central Buganda Diocese, Bishop David Kiganda, Pastor Jackson Ssenyonga, Pastor Robert Kayanja, Dr. Joseph Sserwadda, among others.