Nabbosa’s ‘Kumpi Nawe’ lights up Busoga Prayer Week climax

The 2026 Busoga Prayer Week climax at the Mayuge District headquarters on Sunday brought together religious, cultural and political leaders, as well as members of the public, for a colourful celebration of faith, unity and community.

The annual event, organised by the Busoga Consortium for Development (BCD), is held under the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda (IRCU), bringing together different religious denominations.

According to Dr Anthony Mula, the BCD director general, the participating denominations include the Roman Catholic Church, Church of Uganda (Anglican), Orthodox Church, Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC), Seventh-day Adventist Church (SDA), Born Again Faith (BAF) and the National Alliance of Pentecostal and Evangelical Churches in Uganda (NAPECU).

The denominations added a musical touch to the gathering, with each taking part in singing and worship.

Christ’s Cathedral Bugembe Choir, representing the Anglican Church, performed at the event from the Busoga diocesan headquarters. The choir was accompanied by the Bishop of Busoga Diocese, Rt Rev Prof Grace Lubaale, and his wife, Clare.

First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Community Affairs Rebecca Kadaga represented President Yoweri Museveni at the ceremony.

Kadaga And Nakadama Starring At Nabbosa As She Performed Her Kumpi Nawe Song At The Climax Of The Busoga Prayer Week In Mayuge On Sunday.by Jackie Nambogga

The Muslim community, led by the Busoga Regional Khadhi, Sheikh Dr Hussein Bowa, also took to the floor with their matali, adding a cultural dimension to the prayers.

Mayuge Light Secondary School represented the SDA Church, while the Born Again Faith was represented by a team from Magamaga, among others.

But the biggest musical moment came when Rev David Munobwa, assistant vicar of St James Church in Jinja, announced gospel singer Justine Nabbosa.

As the crowd turned their attention to the stage, Nabbosa emerged from the VIP tent in a light-purple long dress, microphone in hand.

She launched into her popular hit ‘Kumpi Nawe’—meaning “close to you”—and quickly got the crowd on its feet.

Even Bishop Lubaale and his wife, Clare, joined Nabbosa in the spirited performance, backed by students from Mayuge Light SDA Senior Secondary School, while other worshippers sang along from their seats.

Nabbosa, who said she hails from Kamuli, said prayer remains an important tool for uniting the people of Busoga and driving the region’s development agenda.

The event also provided an opportunity for leaders to highlight some of the achievements and priorities of the BCD.

Christ Cathedral Bugembe Main Choir During The Busoga Prayer Week Closure In Mayuge District On Sunday. By Jackie Nambogga (1)

Third Deputy Prime Minister Rukia Nakadama, who chairs the BCD Ministerial Coordination Committee, highlighted initiatives including the piloting of the Village Agriculture Model (VAM), particularly soybean growing, in selected districts.

She said the consortium was also promoting school feeding through the production of soya milk to improve learners’ nutrition and academic performance.

Nakadama further highlighted the Busoga Movement Agenda, launched by President Museveni in September 2020, which, among other initiatives, seeks to empower young people through information and communication technology.

She added that Busoga ministers and legislators are now united under one caucus, unlike in the previous term.