By Swift Reporter
Senior Presidential Advisor on Political Affairs Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo has called for a nationwide period of prayer and reflection ahead of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s birthday on September 15, urging Ugandans to seek spiritual guidance while confronting persistent challenges affecting the country.
Namyalo said this year’s birthday commemoration has been dedicated to the “Spiritual Revival of Our Fallen Warriors”, with the initiative intended to combine remembrance of those who sacrificed their lives during Uganda’s liberation struggle with prayers for the country’s future.
The main commemoration will be held on September 15 at the Office of the NRM National Chairman in Kyambogo, bringing together religious leaders, members of the public, surviving veterans and families of fallen NRA fighters.
According to Namyalo, the spiritual activities have already started and will continue in the days leading to the President’s birthday, with prayers focused on seeking forgiveness, guidance and divine intervention amid challenges confronting Ugandans.
She pointed to poverty, unemployment, drought, deaths and other hardships as some of the issues that should compel Ugandans to pause and reflect on the country’s direction.
Namyalo said the occasion should also remind Ugandans of the difficult journey through which the National Resistance Army (NRA) eventually captured power, arguing that the sacrifices made during the struggle should not be forgotten as the country addresses present-day challenges.
“We can’t do without remembering or recalling what we went through before and concentrating on the now. We are supposed to go back to where we started from, how we captured power,” she said.
She also raised concern about the welfare of families of fallen NRA fighters, questioning whether enough has been done to honour those who died during the struggle and adequately support their relatives.
Among the fallen fighters whose contribution she said should remain part of Uganda’s history are Katabalwa, Luyondo, Ahmed Sseguya, Elly Tumwine and Rwaheru among others.
Namyalo said both fallen and surviving veterans would be remembered during the September 15 activities, with their families expected to participate in the spiritual revival.
The senior presidential advisor also used the occasion to pay tribute to the late Omukama of Tooro, Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru IV, whose death she said should inspire Ugandans to strengthen unity, harmony and peaceful coexistence.
She urged citizens to look beyond political and social differences and embrace values capable of strengthening national cohesion at a time when the country is also dealing with economic and social pressures.
On the economic front, Namyalo acknowledged government programmes such as the Parish Development Model (PDM), but said unemployment remains a major concern, particularly among young Ugandans.
She called for greater efforts to expand employment and economic opportunities for the Bazzukulu, arguing that tackling unemployment must remain central to Uganda’s development agenda.
Namyalo also highlighted healthcare as another area requiring sustained attention, calling for accessible and quality health services as the country moves forward.
She urged religious leaders from different faiths to participate in the September 15 prayers, saying the challenges facing Uganda require a collective response that combines national effort with spiritual reflection.
“I call upon all of you to be part of us on September 15, as we celebrate, as well as pray, as well as seek for forgiveness, as well as seek for guidance from God to ensure that whatever happened doesn’t block the future,” she said.
Namyalo further appealed to Ugandans who remain committed to the country’s progress to use the commemoration as an opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices of the past while considering what more can be done to build a better future.
The September 15 event is therefore expected to serve not only as a celebration of President Museveni’s birthday, but also as a moment of remembrance, prayer and national reflection on Uganda’s past, present challenges and future direction.
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