On May 24th, at Kololo Independence Grounds, President Yoweri Museveni and First Lady Janet Museveni read out a prayer of thanksgiving and apology for their actions during their 40 years in leadership. The apology has stirred much debate across the country.
Haltingly, they read out: "...We acknowledge that we are human and have made mistakes in one way or another. Forgive us, Lord. Also, there has been marked laxity, negligence, and lack of diligence on the part of the team of leaders we entrusted with responsibility and resources to develop this region and the whole country. Corruption has also continued to hinder progress in many ways."
"Therefore, many of our grassroots supporters have become disgruntled and angry and often have an erroneous perception that our government neglected them or failed them or forgot them," they added.
They concluded, "As the top leaders of the Movement, we humbly take full responsibility for all the mistakes made by ourselves, our agents, and our representatives. We therefore stand here to repent and ask for your forgiveness and the forgiveness of especially the people of Buganda and the whole country."
Follow us on WhatsApp | LinkedIn for the latest headlines
This was followed by the signing of a declaration codenamed "Light up Uganda for Jesus", which was the climax of a four-day crusade organized by the Covenant Nations Church.
"Uganda will never again have violence during times of political transition. From now on we will have a peaceful transfer of power. Our leaders and their families will never again flee into exile or die in exile. They will live long in the land and enjoy the fruits of their labor," said the declaration read out by all who attended the Kololo event.
They concluded that, "Uganda will never again go back to wars, sectarianism, tribalism, division, and bloodshed. All political differences will be settled through dialogue and not war."
Earlier, Bishop LaDonna Osborn, who was the main speaker at the crusade, also preached, saying, " God has peace for Uganda. This transition will be peaceful. It will be a miracle."
She added, "Leaders of other nations will look to Uganda, and they will ask, 'how did you do that when there is bloodshed at almost every election on the continent of Africa?'. Not here."
What followed was a huge public debate about the timing of the repentance and apology and what it all meant for a political transition, if at all there was one.
Tailored messages for each region
For those who have been following the Covenant Nations Church crusades for the past three years, this is not the first time President Museveni and First Lady Janet Museveni are reading out a thanksgiving and apology message. They have done that in all the regions of Uganda, with messages tailored for each region.
The Light Up Uganda Crusade has been rolling since 2022, rotating from Luweero on 7th May 2022; Masindi in Bunyoro on 21st Jan 2023; Gulu in Northern Uganda on 2nd Sep 2023; Mbarara in Ankole on 18th May 2024; and Tororo in Eastern Uganda on 13th Sep 2024. Kololo on May 24th was Buganda's turn. (See prayers for the different regions BOTTOM OF PAGE).
In Bunyoro, President Museveni read out a similar message on January 21, 2023, at the closing ceremony of a four-day crusade organized by the Covenant Nations Church at Kabalega Senior Secondary School in Masindi District. The crusade ran under the theme "Light up Bunyoro for Jesus." Pastors led by Elder Kasaija Nicholas prayed for President Museveni and the First Lady and read a declaration asking for repentance and forgiveness that was later signed by the President and Mrs. Museveni. The declaration was also signed, dedicating the land of Bunyoro to God.
In Eastern Uganda, it was about "re-opening of the eastern gate" through "Light Up Eastern Region for Jesus" Mission; September 2024 in Tororo
In Acholi in September 2023, the president and first lady read a message saying that "people lived in internally displaced people's camps. Families, clans, and whole communities were greatly disrupted, resulting in the breakdown of the social structure in the subregion. You gave us the wisdom and grace to work with some of them through mutual respect and comradeship. With your undeniable support and blessing, we succeeded in winning all these wars."
The convener of the Light up Uganda for Jesus conferences is Pr. Patience Rwabogo, who said God asked her to visit each region of the country in 2022. The conferences bring together religious leaders from the Pentecostal and Anglican churches.
The Kololo conference on May 24 included national intercession sessions led by Apostle Michael Kimuli, which officials said were "aimed at safeguarding the nation through spiritual unity."
Bishop Joshua Lwere from the National Fellowship of Born Again Pentecostal Churches, led a special prayer for a peaceful transition of power as the country draws closer to the general elections.
The Light Up Uganda declaration that President Museveni signed at Kololo, marking the climax of the three-year nationwide crusade, stated that, "In 2022, you instructed us to go around the country, preaching the word of God and building regional altars of prayer. After three years, the 'Light up Uganda' missions have traversed the country to build the canopy of prayer, repentance, and dedication."
Museveni's speech
At the official closing of the Light up Uganda for Jesus Mission Convention at Kololo, Museveni went back to the year of Uganda's independence to explain the role of Christianity in the development and also division of the country.
"The challenge Uganda faced in the 1962 elections was religious denominationalism. Our current peace is a result of rejecting that division. African societies are ancient, over 4.5 million years old, but the introduction of new religions led to conflict in just 13 years. Despite this, some of us embraced Christianity," he said.
President Museveni commended the church for what he described as a significant transformation from being part of the problem to now being a cornerstone of peace, responsibility, and spiritual progress in Uganda.
Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters
Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox
We were honoured to welcome Bishop Dr. LaDonna Osborn to the State Lodge, accompanied by Pastor Patience Rwabwogo. Her visit provided us with an opportunity for deep spiritual reflection and reinforced the bond of friendship between our families in faith. pic.twitter.com/JxpGY9Yoqn
-- Janet K Museveni (@JanetMuseveni) May 28, 2025
The five-day spiritual gathering, which began on May 19th, 2025, was hosted by Pastor Patience Rwabwogo, the lead pastor of Covenant Nations Church, under the theme "The Crossing."
"I am proud of Patience Rwabwogo, the first pastor in our family in 150 years, and I look forward to her becoming a bishop. Her work brings joy to me and Maama," Museveni concluded.
Bishop Dr. LaDonna Osborn later visited the Nakasero State Lodge, accompanied by Pastor Patience Rwabwogo.
"Her visit provided us with an opportunity for deep spiritual reflection and reinforced the bond of friendship between our families in faith. We are grateful to God for the Osborn family's legacy in Uganda. From her first visit in 1961 to the 1985 crusade during a time of national turmoil, Bishop LaDonna has stood by our nation through prayer, hope, and unwavering commitment to the Gospel," said Janet Museveni on X soon at the end of the convention.
LaDonna Osborn is the daughter of famous evangelist TL Osborn, who visited Uganda several times.
