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Works minister Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala has warned his family against claiming any property from the church he has constructed for the community in Mukono.

“I usually hear grandchildren who wake up years after the death of either their parents or grandparents and evict churches which they built very many years before their demise. This should not happen from the Wamala family. No one should claim even a nail from this church,” he warned.

Katumba sounded the warning on Sunday as he handed over the multi-million church to Church of Uganda Archbishop Dr Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu.

The church building, according to Katumba, is in honour to God for saving his life after an assassination attempt two years ago.

The beautiful St Mark’s Church Kikandwa structure constructed by Works minister Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala.

Katumba said after surviving the assassination, which left him injured and claimed the life of his daughter, Brenda Nantongo and his driver, Haruna Kayondo, he thought of something he could do as an appreciation to God who had saved his life.

“I'm thankful to my wife with whom I discussed the idea of building St Mark’s Church Kikandwa, which was my parents’ church and she gave me a green light. My mother, Dorothy Wamala, loved this church so much, I'm sure she must be happy where she is now as the Archbishop blesses and officially opens it,” he said.

The church is located on Mukono-Kayunga road in Kasawo Town Council in Mukono district.

The attack

Katumba was attacked by unknown assailants who shot at his vehicle randomly on his way to work on June 1, 2021, killing his daughter Nantongo and driver Kayondo.

The incident which left Gen. Katumba with a fractured left hand happened at Kisaasi, a Kampala suburb and a few meters away from his home.

“It’s not by making that I am alive today and addressing you now but God’s providence. I thank God who has enabled me to put up this kind of church in my village,” he said.

Two big projects accomplished

He told the Archbishop that he has profitably used this year to accomplish two big projects including his autobiography: Endurance, a Sure Shot to Victory and now this church.

“When you read my book, you get to understand that even when you are coming from a poor family like me who originated from the Islands of Kalangala without a Godfather, you can make it and become successful in life if you believe in yourself, work hard and put your trust in God,” he said.

Kaziimba was in the company of Mukono diocese bishop Enos Kitto Kagodo, Central Buganda Diocese Bishop emeritus Jackson Matovu and Mukono diocesan secretary Canon John Ssebudde. Kaziimba performed the church traditions to concentrate it leading to the opening of the church.

Led by the archbishop as the others followed, the team moved seven times around this church before using his crosier to knock on the main door of the church prompting the parish head of laity inside to open.

“I am happy that Gen. Katumba is living a selfless life, giving back to God and other human beings. By what he is doing, he is making his parents rejoice in him, and the entire country not only by his service in the public office but also through giving back to the community,” Kaziimba said.

Works minister Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala and Archbishop Kaziimba joininh hands to cut the cake in celebration of opening St Mark’s Church Kikandwa.

He also thanked him for having proved the reason God saved him from the attack.

Fear of empty churches

Kaziimba however showed dismay that though a very good and modern church has been built at Kikandwa, the surrounding community may fail to utilise it to its fullest.

“We have many churches which are kept empty on Sundays giving room to bats to fill them up. I am wondering why in this generation where people have got to know and understand God, many are still attending churches in big numbers only during the festive days of Christmas and Easter! That should stop, let each day or Sunday one lives be a festive one and he or she goes to Church at least to thank God for being alive,” he stressed.

The Archbishop also showed dismay for the increasing abortions in young girls and murders which he said have claimed many innocent lives.

Kagodo urged the resident Christians to assume full utilisation of this church including making relevant renovations where need arises.

“It will be embarrassing to wait for Gen. Katumba to do a repainting in a few years to come as many are calling this Church his which is not the case. Let’s own it and do everything in our responsibility as a community church,” he urged.

The minister in charge of Culture from Buganda Kingdom, Anthony Wamala, referred to Gen. Katumba as a very hardworking, down to earth and genuine man who has in his ability helped hundreds of Ugandans in different parts of the country.

Among the many people who attended the function was the Namirembe bishop elect, Canon Moses Banja and his wife, Prof. Canon Olivia Banja.