We’re “supporting religious institutions of historical significance”: Ugandan President at Catholic Anniversary Event

Kampala, 29 October, 2025 / 11:29 AM

Uganda’s President, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, has reaffirmed his administrations’ commitment to “supporting religious institutions of historical significance”, saying such initiatives play a vital role in fostering faith and promoting religious tourism in the East African nation.

Speaking on Tuesday, October 28, during Holy Mass to mark the 71st anniversary of the devotion to St. Jude Thaddeus in Uganda, President Museveni endorsed a proposal for government support toward the ongoing construction of the St. Jude Thaddeus National Shrine.

He said the initiative fits within his government’s broader policy of advancing faith-based tourism and preserving Uganda’s religious heritage.

“The proposal is good, and it aligns with what we are already doing – supporting religious institutions of historical significance as part of promoting faith and religious tourism,” President Museveni said, in reference to a request by the National Director of the Devotion to St. Jude Thaddeus in Uganda, Fr. Joseph Mary Bbuye, for “government’s partnership” in the ongoing construction of the National Shrine of St. Jude.

Fr. Bbuye had invited the Ugandan government, through its relevant ministries and departments, to consider aligning with the development of St. Jude Thaddeus National Shrine, ensuring that Naggulu Hill, where it is located, “becomes a well-organized spiritual and urban destination.”

“We are confident that your government’s partnership will enable this sacred project to reach its final stage, not only for the Church but for the nation at large,” the Ugandan Catholic Priest had told President Museveni at Our Lady of Perpetual Help & St. Jude–Naggulu Parish, the national Shrine of St. Jude in Uganda, before inviting him to address the pilgrims.

He added, “We therefore invite government support through the relevant ministries and agencies to align with the Shrine’s development, ensuring that this sacred hill becomes a well-organized spiritual and urban destination.”

In his response, President Museveni pledged support for the project, recalling the government’s past involvement in the development of other faith landmarks in the country, including the Uganda Martyrs Shrine in Namugongo.

“We supported Namugongo. We used certain formulas, for example, creating requests in the budget,” he said, noting that “such initiatives contribute to the country’s moral, spiritual, and cultural heritage.”

The Ugandan Head of State went on to recognize with appreciation Christianity in the East African nation for what he described as their “value addition” to African spirituality and culture.

"Christianity especially added three new things: the concept of resurrection, the teaching to overcome selfishness by loving your neighbour as yourself, and the message of unconditional forgiveness," he said.

For him, these new concepts have not only helped strengthen the African traditional systems but also added value to African spirituality and culture.

“I support the work of Christianity and the work of Islam,” President Museveni said, and added, “These faiths continue to enrich our society.”

He expressed gratitude for the invitation to the celebration and promised to take greater interest in the life and mission of St. Jude Thaddeus. 

“I will now take more interest in St. Jude,” he said during the October 28 Eucharistic Celebration to mark the 71st anniversary of the devotion to St. Jude Thaddeus in Uganda, which Bishop Mark Kadima Wamukoya of Kenya’s Catholic Diocese of Bongoma presided over.