Tumwebaze marks 14 years in Cabinet with sh126.8m church fundraiser
Presiding over the thanksgiving Mass on August 15, 2026, the Bishop of Fort Portal Catholic Diocese, Rt Rev. Robert Muhiirwa Akiiki, urged Christians to cultivate a culture of thanksgiving and appreciate the Almighty God for every achievement in life.
In his address, the Minister of Agriculture, Frank Tumwebaze, said the 14th anniversary was worth celebrating because of God’s faithfulness through different political seasons. (Photo by Hillary Abinsinguza)
__________________
The compound of St Peter’s Biguli Catholic Church in Biguli town council, Kamwenge District, was a scene of prayer, praise and politics as hundreds of Christians joined political and religious leaders to celebrate Frank Tumwebaze’s 14 years of service as a minister in the Government of Uganda.
Presiding over the thanksgiving Mass on August 15, 2026, the Bishop of Fort Portal Catholic Diocese, Rt Rev. Robert Muhiirwa Akiiki, urged Christians to cultivate a culture of thanksgiving and appreciate the Almighty God for every achievement in life.
“Thanksgiving is not only for big things. We must thank God for life, for health, for work, and for the opportunity to serve others. When we are grateful, God opens more doors for us,” Bishop Muhiirwa told the congregation.
The ceremony coincided with the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which organisers said added spiritual significance to the event.
A journey of 14 years in Cabinet
Tumwebaze, who currently serves as Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, recounted his journey through government since his first Cabinet appointment on August 15, 2012.
He was first appointed Minister for the Presidency and in charge of Kampala Affairs, serving in that role until 2016. He was then transferred to the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology, where he served as Cabinet Minister from 2016 to 2019.
‘God has been faithful through every season’
In his address, Tumwebaze said the 14th anniversary was worth celebrating because of God’s faithfulness through different political seasons.
He said the thanksgiving was deeply personal, citing a recent family health challenge when one of his children was battling cancer but fortunately recovered.
“That experience taught me that life is in God’s hands. It is why I chose to bring this thanksgiving to church, and to align it with the Assumption of Mary. I also chose St Peter’s Biguli because this is home and where my faith was nurtured,” he said.
Tumwebaze also used the pulpit to lay out what he called his work plan manifesto for the agriculture sector.
He said his focus for this term will rest on five pillars: expanding irrigation and mechanisation, promoting value addition and agro-processing, improving market access for farmers, strengthening disease and pest control, and driving commercialisation among youth and women.
The minister pledged to strengthen parish-level extension, develop cold chains for milk and fish, and support farmer cooperatives.
Sh126.8m raised for church roofing
The thanksgiving also served as a fundraising drive for the ongoing construction of St Peter’s Biguli Catholic Church.
According to the parish fundraising committee, the event raised a total of sh126,816,000. This comprised sh102,414,000 in cash and sh24,411,000 in pledges. The money will be used to support roofing works on the new parish church currently under construction.
Bishop Muhiirwa commended the generosity, saying the community’s support reflects a church that believes in both faith and action.
The Mass drew a high-level delegation of government officials, including fisheries state minister Robert Ndugwa Miggade, Animal Industry state minister Lt Col (Rtd) Bright Kanyontore Rwamirama, Deputy Attorney General Jackson Kafuzi Karugaba, officials from the National Agricultural Research Organisation, Kamwenge LC5 chairperson Joseph Karungi, as well as MPs, district councillors, religious leaders, security officials and hundreds of faithful from Kamwenge, Kibale and neighbouring districts.
Choirs from different outstations led worship, while cultural troupes performed after Mass during a reception hosted at the parish grounds. Security was tight throughout the event.
In his closing remarks, Bishop Muhiirwa blessed Tumwebaze, his family and the congregation, and called on leaders to continue serving with humility, integrity and a heart of gratitude.
The thanksgiving ended with a call for continued unity as government, church and community work together to improve livelihoods and infrastructure in the region.