We Still Need Shs 6 Billion To Complete All Saints Cathedral Kampala, Says Amama Mbabazi

After 15 years of anticipation, President Yoweri Museveni is set to officially commission the ultra-modern Shs 25 billion All Saints Cathedral Kampala on November 1st. The event will not only celebrate the grand launch of the new 5,000-seater facility but will also include the consecration of a new Assistant Bishop, the ordination of new clergy, and the installation of Canons.

The construction of the new Cathedral, which began in 2010, has been a long-term project aimed at providing ample worship space for the growing congregation. The building’s design prioritizes a peaceful worship environment and offers enough seating for 5,000 people.

Archbishop Dr. Samuel Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu expressed deep gratitude for the support received throughout the construction process. He thanked church members, well-wishers, and corporate donors for their prayers and contributions towards the Cathedral’s completion. “We are grateful to the Lord for the provision of resources and efforts by Members of All Saints’ Cathedral Kampala, individual well-wishers, and corporates, and our partner in mission and ministry for prayers and giving. May God continue to bless us all!” Kaziimba said.

Vivian Igundura, Chairperson of the All-Saints’ Cathedral Project (ACP), provided an update on the project’s financial status, revealing that Shs 18 billion has already been spent, with final costs expected to reach Shs 25 billion. She praised the cost management by previous teams, noting that the estimated expenses had been higher. “The estimates by the architects were initially higher, but the teams that came before us have been prudent, and we don’t expect the final costs to exceed Shs 25 billion,” Igundura said. The new Cathedral will also house diocesan offices, parish offices, two levels of parking, two chapels, and a prayer tower.

A key part of the November 1st event will be the consecration of Venerable Rev Canon Fredrick Jackson Baalwa as the Assistant Bishop of the Diocese of Kampala. He will succeed Dr. Hannington Mutebi, who will retire at the end of 2024. The ordination of new clergy and the installation of Canons of All Saints’ Cathedral will also take place on the same day.

However, despite the progress made, the project is not yet fully funded. The Chairperson of the Organizing Committee, Rt. Hon. Amama Mbabazi, announced that an additional Shs 6 billion is needed to complete the interior designs and purchase chairs for the Cathedral ahead of the grand opening. “I wish to thank everyone who has supported us since the inception of the project, but we must work hard to bring out the beauty of each function. We appeal to all God’s people to contribute towards the function for a well-organized day,” Mbabazi emphasized.

All Saints’ Cathedral Kampala, originally established in 1912 to serve the European colonial community in Kampala, has a rich history. It was elevated to a parish church after Uganda gained independence in 1962, and later became a Pro-Cathedral in 1972, serving as the Cathedral for the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda. Over the years, the Cathedral has undergone several expansions and renovations to accommodate its ever-growing congregation.