ONC Hosts Special Interfaith Thanksgiving Service For Maama Janet Museveni

Hundreds of Bazzukulu, religious leaders, politicians and other distinguished guests gathered at the Office of the National Chairman (ONC) headquarters in Kyambogo, Kampala, on Monday for a special interfaith thanksgiving prayer service in honour of First Lady Maama Janet Kataaha Museveni.

The event, spearheaded by ONC Manager, SPA/PA Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo Uzeiye, was held to thank God for what organisers described as His healing hand, mercy and faithfulness upon Maama Janet, while celebrating her faith, service and contribution to the wellbeing of Ugandans.

The prayers brought together leaders from different religious denominations, Members of Parliament, Senior Presidential Advisors, Women Council leaders and members of the public.

Among the religious leaders who attended was Pastor Aloysius Bujingo of House of Prayer Ministries International, who joined other clerics in leading prayers for Maama Janet and the Museveni family. The gathering was presented as an expression of unity, faith and gratitude, with participants praying for continued good health and long life for the First Lady and President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.

While giving his remarks, Pastor Bugingo condemned individuals who had circulated false information about the First Lady’s health.

“We pity those who were spreading fake news about our Mama. Fire a billion times,” Pastor Bugingo said during the thanksgiving prayers.

Speaking to the congregation, Hajjat Namyalo told the gathering that the decision to pray was driven by a belief that some challenges go beyond what human beings can fully understand or overcome on their own. She said the prayers were intended to seek God’s intervention at a time when the country was concerned about Maama Janet’s health.

“We decided to pray. We decided to seek refuge in the Almighty Lord to create a way where there was no way,” Namyalo said, reflecting on the period when concern over the First Lady’s health was widespread.

She said the medical team had played an important role in treating Maama Janet, but credited God for what she described as the ultimate intervention that brought relief to the family and those praying for her recovery.

Hajjat Namyalo also spoke about the anxiety that surrounded Maama Janet’s health, particularly as unverified reports circulated on social media claiming that she had died. She said such reports caused fear among supporters and forced many people to seek clarification before turning to prayer.

“When we saw on social media people spreading propaganda that now she is dead, we kept on calling people and asking, is it true?” she said.

According to Namyalo, the uncertainty strengthened the resolve among religious leaders and Bazzukulu to continue praying rather than give in to fear. She thanked the Almighty for what she described as narrowing the pain and restoring hope to the family and the nation.

The ONC manager further used the occasion to call for greater appreciation of positive developments in the country, arguing that political differences should not prevent people from acknowledging achievements or moments of national importance.

“Let us give credit where it is due and not always rely on the negatives,” she said, urging Ugandans to recognise the good alongside their political disagreements.

Namyalo also prayed for more years of service for Maama Janet and President Museveni, describing the two as important figures in the country’s leadership and development journey. She asked God to grant them wisdom and protection as they continue serving the country.

She said Maama Janet’s contribution stretches beyond her role as First Lady, noting her longstanding involvement in Uganda’s public life and her support for national development initiatives. Her remarks reflected the organisers’ view that the thanksgiving was not only about recovery from illness but also about recognising a life of service and faith.

The prayers also provided an opportunity for Namyalo to speak about the importance of religious unity. She said the presence of Christians, Muslims and other religious leaders at the same gathering demonstrated the unifying power of faith and the potential of collective prayer to strengthen social cohesion.

“As part of a unifying factor, it is just enough to stabilise the state. It is just enough for unity,” Namyalo said, stressing the importance of people coming together despite their differences.

She also appealed to Ugandans to remain prayerful and peaceful, saying that matters of leadership, life and the country’s future ultimately require wisdom and humility.

For the Bazzukulu who attended the service, the gathering offered an opportunity to express gratitude for Maama Janet’s recovery while reflecting on her public service and personal faith. Their presence, alongside religious and political leaders, turned the occasion into a broader expression of solidarity with the First Family.

The thanksgiving service ended with prayers for God’s continued protection over Maama Janet, President Museveni, their family and the country.
Organisers said the gathering demonstrated that beyond politics and public office, moments of illness and recovery can bring communities together around shared values of faith, gratitude and hope.

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