By Frank Kamuntu
In the heart of Sembabule District, a towering symbol of faith now rises—All Saints Church—quietly commanding reverence not only for its architecture but for the deeply personal story behind its creation. Unveiled in a solemn yet celebratory ceremony last week, the church was commissioned by President Yoweri Museveni and built through the private efforts of former Foreign Affairs Minister Sam Kutesa.
At 76, Kutesa stood before the congregation and revealed what few had known: in 2022, he endured a life-threatening battle with throat cancer. Evacuated to Germany for emergency chemotherapy and radiotherapy, he confronted mortality in its starkest form. In those dark moments, he made a silent vow—if given another chance at life, he would build a church in thanksgiving to God.
“God gave me another chance, and I kept my word,” Kutesa told the congregation, his voice steady, carrying the weight of both gratitude and triumph. “This church is not just stone and cement—it’s a monument of faith and thanksgiving.”
The All Saints Church has since drawn admiration from local leaders, Anglican faithful, and the wider community. President Museveni praised the initiative, lauding Kutesa’s personal faith and his ability to mobilize support for a cause rooted not in political ambition, but spiritual devotion. He also acknowledged non-Christian businessman Manish of Tororo Cement for supporting church-building projects across Uganda, underscoring the ecumenical spirit of generosity.
Museveni further commended Kutesa’s daughter, Hon. Shartsi Musherure, MP for Mawogola North, for her leadership in promoting productive land use and wealth creation in the region.
Yet, even as the church opened its doors to the faithful, it became the center of a spirited national debate. Some critics questioned the decision to build a church rather than a hospital or school, citing Uganda’s under-resourced public services. But such arguments, while valid in a broader development context, fail to grasp the heart of Kutesa’s decision.
This was not a state project. It was not taxpayer-funded. It was a private, spiritual covenant made in a moment of vulnerability—a personal promise fulfilled. Reducing that gesture to a public policy critique not only distorts its meaning, but also ignores the broader philanthropic history of the Kutesa family.
For years, the family has quietly supported education scholarships, healthcare outreach, and youth empowerment initiatives throughout Sembabule. The church does not replace these efforts—it complements them. It provides a space for prayer, solace, and community healing in a time when the nation continues to grapple with division and despair.
“To politicize a man’s covenant with God is both cynical and unfair,” said a family friend. “This church stands not just for Sam Kutesa’s faith, but for all those who believe in hope, redemption, and giving back.”
Local residents echoed that sentiment. “This church is a blessing,” one Sembabule elder said. “He didn’t have to do it. But he did—and not for praise, but for God.”
As All Saints Church begins its journey as a house of worship, it also challenges Ugandans to look beyond cynicism and consider a deeper truth: leadership is not always measured in policies and programs. Sometimes, it is expressed in promises kept, in quiet generosity, and in the enduring power of faith.
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