First Lady challenges Ugandans to adopt attitude of thanksgiving

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The First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Mrs Janet Museveni has urged Ugandans to adopt an attitude of thanksgiving to God in all circumstances.

She emphasized that thanksgiving acknowledges God's sovereignty over our lives, particularly when done publicly.

The First Lady made the call while addressing a large congregation at Nshwere Church of Uganda, North Ankole Diocese in Kiruhura District over the weekend, who joined the family of Venerable Reverend Mishaki Mwiine Kihondwa—the Archdeacon—in a thanksgiving service for the healing of Mrs Hope Kihondwa and their children.

The service was attended by the House of Clergy, religious leaders, Kiruhura area Members of Parliament Wilson Kazwengye and Jovans Rwenduru, district local leaders, RDC George Bakunda, and members of the laity.

Ven. Rev. Mishaki Kihondwa expressed gratitude for his wife Hope's recovery from a serious two-year illness and for saving their children from life-threatening situations.

In thanksgiving, the Kihondwas, their relatives and friends offered the church three cows and various gifts worth millions of shillings.

"I have come to join the family of Ven. Rev. Kihondwa, his wife and children to thank God. I appreciate them for coming out in thanksgiving to God because most times when people are in pain or with a challenge, they pray and pray, but when God answers their prayers, they forget, take it for granted, and move on," remarked the First Lady.

Mrs Museveni referenced the biblical story from Luke 17:15–16 about ten lepers healed by Jesus, where only one returned to give thanks and received complete restoration. "Therefore, what Mrs Hope Kihondwa and her family have chosen to do today is both a challenge and reminder to each one of us to adopt the attitude of thanksgiving to God," she said, according to a release from her office.

She then shared her own life’s journey with God and talked about how God healed her of a condition that she had had for some time that would make her faint. She revealed that which she took to God in prayer. 

Mrs Museveni testified that God heard her prayer and saved her, and for medicine, God gave her a Biblical reading of Isaiah 40:28-31.

It says, "Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might, He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”

"It is now almost forty years since I had that problem, and my healing came from the Lord. This story is in my book, 'My Life's Journey'; anybody who wants to read it can find it in that book," said the First Lady. 

Mrs Museveni shared this personal testimony of discovering a genuine relationship with God, despite being raised by Born-Again parents, after experiencing answered prayers. She said, "That's when I met God face to face!"

She revealed that building the Nshwere Church was one of her thanksgiving offerings to God, fulfilling a pledge she had made to God in prayer for another answered prayer.

Mrs Museveni emphasized that God remains faithful to those who love and trust Him, delivering them from difficulties. She cited biblical examples: Joseph's rise from the pit to becoming second to Pharaoh, and the deliverance of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the fiery furnace. "This is the God we testify for! This God has never changed and we must continue to trust in Him, knowing that He is indeed God!" she declared.

The First Lady joined the family of Venerable Reverend Mishaki Mwiine Kihondwa, the Archdeacon, at a thanksgiving service celebrating the healing of Mrs Hope Kihondwa and their children. The service was held at Nshwere Church of Uganda in North Ankole Diocese, Kiruhura District. (PPU)

Assuring Mrs Hope Kihondwa of a promising future, Mrs Museveni said, "When God heals you, and you hold onto Him and remain at His feet daily, He cannot abandon you. The fact that your children, the women and all people of Nshwere have come to thank God together with you is testimony that surely you have not shamed the Lord; when He healed you, you stood up and served Him. Continue to walk with Him. He is faithful."

She encouraged Mrs Kihondwa to remain strong and pray for strength to support her husband's ministry, care for their children, and lead the women's ministry.

The First Lady Maama Janet contributed sh10m to the family of Kihondwa's thanksgiving.

Mrs Museveni also commended Ven. Rev. Mwiine Mishaki Kihondwa and his wife for their steadfast faith and dedicated pastoral service to the Nshwere community.

Citing Landa Cope's "An Introduction to the Old Testament Template," Mrs Museveni addressed the tendency of Africans to pray extensively without fully understanding God's expectations of them. She noted that while churches are full, congregants often remain dependent on charity, failing to utilize the resources God has provided.

"Remember the Bible says that faith without works is dead. Just praying will not make God move on foot to bring us what we are praying for. But we should pray, have hope in Him, and at the same time work," she emphasized.

The First Lady expressed concern about young men spending their days idly on phones and at pool tables. "Our prayers now should be that God blesses our work and that we overcome poverty in our homes, hopelessness, and the habit of always begging and waiting on others to provide aid."

She noted that despite Uganda's natural beauty, its people often remain passive about development, seeking external aid. "I trust God because He wants us to know Him, not to lose hope, and not to lack what to do. Allow God to be your guide on the path He wants us to take as people. If we agree to God's directives, we shall be able to build Uganda and it will become an example in Africa."

She urged the clergy to inspire the Nshwere community to demonstrate their faith through action rather than remaining in poverty while professing to know God. "Don't allow Satan to destroy your relationship with God. Let the communication lines with God continue to be open and you will see what God will do for Uganda," she encouraged.

Canon Patrick Tinka, Dean of Emmanuel Cathedral and main celebrant, encouraged continued praise and thanksgiving to our unchanging God.

He commended Ven. Rev. Kihondwa's dedication to supporting his wife's recovery through hospital visits and prayers to God, the ultimate healer.

Ven. Rev. Kihondwa appreciated Maama Janet for what he described as her maternal care toward Ugandans and for attending the thanksgiving service. He praised her godly example, particularly for married women and parents nationwide, and acknowledged her support of President Museveni and leadership of the Education Ministry.

Hope Kihondwa thanked God for healing, which she saw as a testament to God's goodness and power. She also acknowledged her husband's and the Nshwere community's prayers during her illness.

Through their head of laity, the Nshwere community expressed gratitude to President Yoweri Museveni and Maama Janet for providing them with a church building.