President Museveni commissions All Saints Cathedral

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President Yoweri Museveni commissioned the All Saints Cathedral, Nakasero in Kampala on Friday, with a call to Ugandans to steer clear of disunity and interfaith conflicts.

“I normally get problems with people who say they are religious, but you find that they are bigots (narrow-minded),” he said, urging Christians to instead follow the example of Jesus Christ, who welcomed people from all faiths — including heathens — during his ministry on earth.

While presiding over the commissioning of the church, Museveni said, Jesus was a revolutionary and often challenged the Jews who had turned religion into something else.

President Yoweri Museveni and First Lady Janet Museveni, during the official opening of the new All Saints Cathedral in Nakasero on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024. (PPU)

He explained that he disagreed with the Scripture Union for which he was a member in the 1960s and “withdrew a bit because of bigotry and chauvinism of the Christians at the time”.

According to him, that is why he fought and rejected sectarianism during the Bush War in the 1980s.

Museveni said that if it had not been for that, they (fighters of NRA) would not have been able to build a strong force that overpowered the Milton Obote fighters and set up the current government.

President Yoweri Museveni and First Lady Janet Museveni, during the official opening of the new All Saints Cathedral in Nakasero on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024. (PPU)

“I am glad that even when we came into the government, the church started the Inter-Religious Council. I congratulate you for having the inter-religious council, but I would like this to percolate down to the whole society so that you don’t judge people by their denominations but by what they do."

Citing the biblical extract of Matthew 5:6, the President said he is never impressed by people who are not leaving a good example to the rest. 

“So, when I find people fighting, I am disappointed."

Megachurch

The multi-billion-shilling project, which began in 2011, has been a focal point of religious expansion in Kampala, with the cathedral designed to accommodate a growing congregation of over 5,000 worshippers.

The cathedral, which is nearing completion, includes four chapels, offices, and a 45-metre bell tower.

It is estimated to have cost over sh26b, with fundraising campaigns ongoing since as early as 2009 to cover the construction and furnishing expenses.

According to the Archbishop of Uganda, Dr Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu, who is also the Bishop of the Kampala Diocese, the church still needs close to sh6b for full completion, particularly for the exterior, after already consuming sh18b. 

Museveni said that he and the First Lady contributed sh100m towards the church.  

“But since you elected me as President, I will use that authority which you gave me in the new budget of July (2025) to contribute sh1b to the church,” he said.

📸 All photos by PPU

All Saints Cathedral Nakasero congregation. (PPU)

The Most Rev, Dr. Samuel Stephen Kazimba Mugalu, the Archbishop Church of Uganda and Bishop Diocese of Kampala (left), The Very Rev. Canon Dr. Rebecca Nyegenye (center). (PPU)

Minister of state for trade, industry and cooperatives (industry), David Bahati. (PPU)

First Deputy Prime Minister of Uganda, Rebecca Kadaga, (left) and Former Prime Minister of the Republic of Uganda, Amama Mbabazi (right). (PPU)

Uganda Prisons Service (UPS) Commissioner General, Johnson Byabashaija. (PPU)

Former ethics minister, Miria Matembe. (PPU)

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