All set for national prayer breakfast, only 120 MPs selected to attend
Tayebwa's reference to the “holy” MPs invited to the Prayer Breakfast, however, prompted a light-hearted response from Leader of the Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi, who called for the event to be opened to “sinners” as well.
“I want to look at the list, although the word ‘holy’ is from me. If you know that you are holy and your prayers reach God, you can contact Hon. David Bahati for your invitation if you have not yet received your card,” Tayebwa said.
KAMPALA - Parliament is set for the 28th Uganda National Prayer Breakfast on October 8, 2026, at State House, Entebbe, with 120 Members of Parliament selected to represent the House at the annual gathering.
Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, while communicating to Parliament, said the breakfast will bring together leaders from the three arms of Government, the business community, the diplomatic corps and other local and international guests for fellowship, prayer and a commitment to the country.
The National Prayer Breakfast is an annual gathering that brings together political, religious, business and diplomatic leaders for prayer and reflection on the country and its leadership. It is held a day before the Independence celebrations.
Tayebwa said the diverse nature of the event required representation from different sectors, adding that 120 MPs had been invited to attend the breakfast.
He jokingly referred to the selected MPs as “holy” members who would represent their “unholy” colleagues.
“I want to look at the list, although the word ‘holy’ is from me. If you know that you are holy and your prayers reach God, you can contact Hon. David Bahati for your invitation if you have not yet received your card,” Tayebwa said.
President Yoweri Museveni will be the chief guest, while Speaker of Parliament Jacob Oboth will serve as the chief host.
Tayebwa said the keynote speaker will be former Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic, Eduard Heger.
“Some people reached out to me asking me to attend, but let's widen it so that sinners can attend as well. The Bible says we have all sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God,” Ssenyonyi said.
The 2026 Prayer Breakfast will be held under the theme “Wake Up, Work Hard, Build Uganda,” anchored on Proverbs 20:13.
The organisers have also lined up testimonies from Bishop Nathan Ahimbisibwe of Ankole Diocese and Gaster Rule, proprietor of Ntake Bread.
The Prayer Breakfast will be preceded by two forums targeting specific groups.
The Women Forum is scheduled for October 7 at Speak Resort Munyonyo, while the Business Forum will be held at the Parliament Conference Hall.
“This time, we said the businessman should come and enter Parliament. We don't want people to think that Parliament is for a certain group of people,” Tayebwa said.
The keynote speaker at the Business Forum will be Emmanuel Katongole, chairman of Quality Chemical Industries.
Tayebwa's reference to the “holy” MPs invited to the Prayer Breakfast, however, prompted a light-hearted response from Leader of the Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi, who called for the event to be opened to “sinners” as well.
“I hope that we can widen it so that the sinners can attend as well, because the sinners need to go and repent of their very many sins,” Ssenyonyi said.
He said some people had already approached him about attending the event and urged the organisers to broaden participation.
“Some people reached out to me asking me to attend, but let's widen it so that sinners can attend as well. The Bible says we have all sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God,” Ssenyonyi said.
He added: “Wherever we are, we shall pray, and I hope we will act on those prayers.”