Museveni Officially Opens New All Saints Cathedral

President Yoweri Museveni has today presided over the grand opening of the new All Saints Cathedral in Nakasero, Kampala, accompanied by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Kataaha Museveni.

Hundreds of Christians gathered for the ceremony, which was part of the All Saints’ Day celebrations. The impressive new facility features a striking 45-metre bell tower, a two-level underground car park, four chapels, a coffee centre, a library, and the Bishop’s office for the Kampala Diocese.

Designed to accommodate over 5,000 worshippers, the cathedral stands as a monumental symbol of the Anglican Church's growth in Uganda. In his speech, President Museveni congratulated the building committee and those who led the project. “I want to thank and congratulate the building committee and the chairpersons who have brought this magnificent cathedral to completion,” he said.

Reflecting on his faith, President Museveni shared that his mother was a devout “Mulokole” (revivalist) and recalled being active in the Scripture Union during his youth. He expressed disappointment over discovering that the Church of Uganda’s headquarters was not at Namirembe as he had believed. “Up to now, I have never gotten a clear explanation,” he remarked.

The President emphasised the importance of spiritual growth and discipline, urging Christians to be examples through their actions. Referencing the parable of the talents, he said, “We, as Christians, must be examples, not just by words but through our actions. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

He also called on believers to treat their bodies as temples of the Lord, avoiding vices like alcohol, obesity, and sexual immorality. “If our bodies are truly temples of the Lord, this should mean living a life of discipline,” he stressed.

Addressing religious unity, Museveni criticised sectarianism and emphasised the need for actions over religious labels. He referenced the parable of the Good Samaritan to illustrate his point. “Jesus challenged those who had turned religion into something rigid,” he said. “What matters is your actions, not your tribe or religion.”

Museveni announced a personal donation of Shs100 million from his cattle and an additional Shs1 billion from the July budget to support the cathedral. The event also featured the consecration of Canon Fredrick Jackson Baalwa as Assistant Bishop, succeeding Bishop Hannington Mutebi. Bishop Alfred Olwa of Lango Diocese was the main preacher.

Rt. Hon. Amama Mbabazi, Chairman of the Organising Committee, reflected on the cathedral’s history, noting its transformation from a small chapel in 1912 to today’s grand structure. “This growth mirrors Uganda’s transformation as a nation,” he said, expressing gratitude to all who contributed to raising Shs25 billion for the project.

Archbishop Dr. Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu expressed appreciation for the guests and the Christian community. He thanked President Museveni, the First Lady, and Rt. Hon. Mbabazi for their support and leadership, marking this day as a significant milestone for the Anglican Church in Uganda.

Canon Vivian Igundura, Chairperson of the Building Committee, highlighted the cathedral’s state-of-the-art design, which includes five chapels, a reinforced concrete structure, and a prayer tower. She revealed that an additional Shs7.5 billion is needed to complete the project’s next phase.