By Karim Were
KAMPALA —Hundreds of Bazzukulu, religious leaders, politicians and other guests gathered at the Office of the National Chairman (ONC) headquarters in Kyambogo on Monday for an interfaith thanksgiving prayer service in honour of First Lady Maama Janet Kataaha Museveni.
The gathering, spearheaded by ONC Manager and Senior Presidential Advisor/Presidential Advisor Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo Uzeiye, was organised to thank God for what organisers described as His mercy, healing and faithfulness towards the First Lady.
The service also provided an opportunity for participants to celebrate Janet Museveni’s public service and contribution to the wellbeing of Ugandans, while praying for her continued good health and long life.
The event brought together religious leaders from different denominations, Members of Parliament, Senior Presidential Advisors, Women Council leaders, Bazzukulu and members of the public.
Pastor Aloysius Bujingo of House of Prayer Ministries International was among the religious leaders who attended the service and joined other clerics in leading prayers for the First Lady and the Museveni family.
The gathering was presented by organisers as an expression of faith, unity and gratitude at a time when concern over the First Lady’s health had generated public discussion.
#Prayers for Janet Museveni
The central focus of the gathering was thanksgiving and prayer for Janet Museveni.
Participants prayed for her continued recovery, good health and long life, while also asking for God’s protection over President Yoweri Museveni, their family and the country.
For the organisers, the service was an opportunity to reflect on a period in which concerns about the First Lady’s health had generated anxiety among supporters and members of the public.
Hajjat Namyalo told the congregation that the decision to organise the prayers was motivated by a belief that some circumstances require spiritual intervention in addition to medical care.
“We decided to pray. We decided to seek refuge in the Almighty Lord to create a way where there was no way,” she said.
Namyalo acknowledged the role played by the medical team in treating Janet Museveni but said the organisers viewed her recovery as an occasion to thank God.
She described the thanksgiving service as an expression of gratitude after a period that had caused concern among people who closely follow the First Family.
#Concerns over social media reports
Namyalo also referred to unverified reports that had circulated on social media concerning the First Lady’s health.
She said some reports had claimed that Janet Museveni had died, prompting supporters to contact one another in an effort to establish the truth.
“When we saw on social media people spreading propaganda that now she is dead, we kept on calling people and asking, is it true?” Namyalo said.
The remarks highlighted the challenges posed by unverified information on social media, particularly when it concerns public figures.
Such reports can spread rapidly before authorities or the individuals concerned have an opportunity to provide clarification.
Namyalo said the uncertainty surrounding the reports encouraged the organisers and religious leaders to continue praying rather than surrender to fear.
She thanked God for what she described as bringing relief to the family and restoring hope among those who had been concerned about the First Lady.
#Bujingo condemns false reports
Pastor Aloysius Bujingo also addressed the issue of reports concerning Janet Museveni’s health.
He condemned people whom he accused of spreading false information about the First Lady.
“We pity those who were spreading fake news about our Mama. Fire a billion times,” Bujingo said during the thanksgiving prayers.
His remarks reflected the anger among some participants over the circulation of unverified claims.
The issue of misinformation has become increasingly significant as social media platforms provide a rapid means of distributing information to large audiences.
For public figures, false reports about illness or death can generate confusion and anxiety among family members, supporters and the wider public.
The speakers at the service therefore used the occasion to emphasise the importance of responsible communication.
#Call to recognise positive developments
Beyond the prayers, Namyalo used the gathering to call on Ugandans to acknowledge positive developments in the country even when political differences exist.
She argued that disagreements over politics should not prevent citizens from recognising achievements or important moments affecting the nation.
“Let us give credit where it is due and not always rely on the negatives,” she said.
Her remarks placed the thanksgiving service within a broader message about national unity and appreciation.
Namyalo said public discussion should not focus exclusively on negative developments, urging people to recognise positive developments alongside political disagreements.
The call comes in a politically active environment in which debate over government performance and leadership remains prominent.
#Religious unity
The presence of leaders from different religious denominations was another major feature of the gathering.
Namyalo said the participation of Christians, Muslims and other religious leaders demonstrated the potential of faith to bring Ugandans together despite differences.
She described religious unity as an important factor in strengthening social cohesion and stability.
As part of a unifying factor, it is just enough to stabilise the state. It is just enough for unity,” she said.
The gathering therefore went beyond an individual prayer service, with organisers presenting it as an example of different religious communities coming together around a shared purpose.
Interfaith activities have historically provided opportunities for religious communities to engage with one another and promote peaceful coexistence.
#Janet Museveni’s public role
Namyalo also used the occasion to recognise Janet Museveni’s longstanding role in Uganda’s public life.
As First Lady, Janet Museveni has been involved in several public initiatives, including programmes relating to education, health, family welfare and community development.
She has also served in government as Minister of Education and Sports, a position through which she has been involved in national education policy and programmes.
Namyalo’s remarks portrayed the First Lady’s contribution as extending beyond her formal position within the government.
The thanksgiving service was consequently framed not only around health and recovery but also around recognition of her years of public service.
#Prayers for the First Family
The congregation also prayed for President Yoweri Museveni and the wider First Family.
Namyalo asked God to grant the President and First Lady additional years of service, wisdom and protection as they continue their public responsibilities.
The prayers reflected the strong political and religious support expressed by participants at the event.
The First Family has occupied a prominent position in Uganda’s political life for several decades, making developments concerning its members a matter of considerable public interest.
#The role of the ONC
The Office of the National Chairman is associated with the National Resistance Movement (NRM), the ruling political organisation in Uganda.
The ONC has been involved in mobilisation and engagement activities aimed at connecting the NRM leadership with supporters and communities.
The decision to host the thanksgiving service at the ONC headquarters brought together political mobilisation structures and religious leaders.
However, organisers presented the event primarily as a prayer and thanksgiving gathering rather than a political rally.
The attendance of MPs, presidential advisors, Women Council leaders and members of the public nevertheless gave the event a significant public and political dimension.
#Importance of responsible information
The controversy over reports concerning Janet Museveni’s health also highlights a wider challenge facing public communication in the digital era.
Social media has made it easier for information to circulate rapidly, but it can also allow unverified claims to reach large audiences.
Health-related claims involving public figures can be particularly sensitive because they concern personal information while potentially affecting public confidence.
Journalistic standards require claims about illness, death or other major developments to be independently verified before publication.
Members of the public are similarly encouraged to assess the source of information before sharing it.
#Faith and public life
The thanksgiving service also demonstrated the continuing role of religion in Uganda’s public life.
Religious leaders regularly participate in national events, public discussions and community initiatives.
For participants at Monday’s gathering, prayer provided a means of expressing gratitude and solidarity during a period of concern about the First Lady’s health.
The event brought together people from different backgrounds around a common religious activity.
The organisers said such gatherings can contribute to unity by creating spaces where people set aside differences and focus on shared values.
#Message of peace and unity
Namyalo also appealed to Ugandans to remain peaceful and prayerful.
She linked questions of leadership, national development and the country’s future to the need for wisdom and humility.
Her message suggested that national unity should remain important even when citizens hold different political opinions.
The presence of religious leaders from different denominations was cited as an example of how diverse groups can cooperate around common national concerns.
#Conclusion
The interfaith thanksgiving service at the ONC headquarters in Kyambogo brought together religious leaders, politicians, Bazzukulu and members of the public to pray for First Lady Janet Museveni and express gratitude for what organisers described as her recovery.
The gathering also provided a platform to condemn unverified reports about the First Lady’s health, with speakers urging greater responsibility in the circulation of information.
At the same time, Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo used the occasion to call for national unity, appreciation of positive developments and continued prayer for the country’s leadership.
The event ended with prayers for the continued protection, health and long life of Janet Museveni, President Yoweri Museveni, their family and Uganda.
Source:@🇺🇬Be blessed
