President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has contributed UGX 100 million to the new All Saints Cathedral in Nakasero, Kampala, and also pledged UGX 1 billion for the completion of the exterior.
President Museveni was speaking during the grand opening of the cathedral on November 1, 2024, where he called on the faithful to fight against sectarianism and work together with other religions.
The construction project, which began in 2010, was aimed at expanding the cathedral’s capacity from 400 to 5000 seats, making it one of the largest in Uganda.
“I discussed with Mama when we saw the good thing here and said for us, What have we done? Then we agreed that from our cows, not from the government budget, we contribute 100 million shillings, but since you also elected me as the president, I will use that authority that you gave me in the new budget of July to contribute 1 billion shillings,” the president said.
He urged people to stop judging by denominations but rather judge people by what they do.
“When we started our work, we rejected completely sectarianism; that is how we were able to build this force, which has been there for some time now. And I am glad eventually, when we came into the government, I don’t know whether the churches copied our example; they started the interreligious council you followed or you had done it before, but I congratulate you for having the interreligious council,” he noted.
During the function, which attracted over 3000 people, a new Assistant Bishop of the Diocese of Kampala, Ven. Rev. Canon Fredrick Jackson Baalwa, was consecrated, and also other clergy were ordained and new Canons were installed.
On October 30, 2024, the Speaker of Parliament Annet Anita Among contributed UGX 50 million towards the organization of the event.
The cathedral’s construction, which serves as the seat of the Diocese of Kampala and the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, has so far cost over UGX 18 billion, and around UGX 6 billion is still needed to complete exterior works.