Museveni discovers Adventists' secret

PIC: President Yoweri Museveni (right) talking to the world leader of the Seventh-day Adventist Church Pastor Dr Ted Wilson at Kololo Independence Grounds for the special Sabath prayers on February 17, 2018. Looking on is the Vice-President, Edward Ssekandi, Deputy Speaker of Parliament Jacob Oulanyah and ICT state minister Aidah Nantaba. (Credit: Abou Kisige)

RELIGION | SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST MASS PRAYER

KAMPALA - President Yoweri Museveni has saluted the Seventh-day Adventist Church, describing it as his first teacher in formal education.

Addressing hundreds of Adventists and non-Adventists who attended a grand worship at Kololo ceremonial grounds, led by Seventh-day Adventist Church world leader Pr Ted Wilson, Museveni said he was surprised that the Adventists were growing in number.
 
"Today I have stumbled upon the Adventists secret. You have many rich members. You have been hiding this from me. I almost failed to access this place because of your many vehicles parked here. We always organise NRM functions here, but I have never seen such many vehicles and people here," Museve said.

The world leader of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Pr Dr Ted Wilson, inspecting a guard of honour during a five-day visit at Kololo Independence Grounds on  February 17, 2018. (Credit: Abou Kisige)

The President, who described Adventist as law-abiding citizens, asked them to embrace wealth creation by establishing their dominion over nature as God commanded Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.  

"Work towards improving your household income. Being poor in Africa, a continent God endowed with resources is not being a good Christian. Last year I planted crops on my Luwero farm and irrigated them using a bottle, many people laughed, but today, I am harvesting with joy. Do the same," Museveni urged.

As Museveni took onto the podium, he was greeted with wild cheers to which the master of ceremony, state minister for ICT Idah Nantanba said: "That applause is for your bold decision to ban exams placed on Saturday. That is the joy from the parents and students who have suffered a lot with Makerere University for a long time. Because of that decision, may God bless you immensely."

Hundreds throng Kololo airstrip for grand worship with SDA church leader Pr Ted Wilson (Credit: Apollo Mubiru)

In his homily from the book of Romans 8:1-5 (Who will separate us from the love of God…….), Ted urged Adventists to be humble mighty warriors of Jesus Christ.

Ted emphasised the need to uphold family values and not to copy some western cultures that degrade families.

"Do not neglect your families. A family is a cornerstone of a society. God has given a sacred understanding of a family. To men who are married and those yet to marry, treat your wife with the greatest respect. Show her love and care," he emphasised.

President Yoweri Museveni and the Vice-President, Edward Ssekandi, receiving the world leader of the Seventh-day Adventist Church Pr Dr Ted Wilson and his wife Nancy Wilson to Kololo Independence Grounds for the special Sabath prayers on February 17, 2018. (Credit: Abou Kisige)

Ted's wife, Nancy Wilson, in her message to women reminded them of their higher responsibility in the world of children upbringing.

The deputy Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Oulanyah, former Deputy Chief Justice Steven Kavuma, Teso affairs minister Agnes Akiror and leader of the Born-again faith in Uganda Pastor Joseph Sserwadda were among the attendees of the prayers.

The Archbishop of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Uganda, Pr. Dr. Daniel Matte, prayed for President Museveni in a special way. "Thank you heavenly Father for giving us President Museveni. We lift him into your hands. Grant him knowledge and wisdom to lead this country."