The First Lady and Minister of Education, Janet Kataha Museveni, has donated 50 million shillings to the Bethel Healing Centre Church in Iganga Municipality. This donation is earmarked for the construction of a new church building to accommodate the growing congregation.
The funds were handed over to Pastor Julius Taremwa by Sauda Kauma, the Iganga District Woman Member of Parliament, who delivered the donation on behalf of Mrs. Museveni during a church service. The congregation rejoiced and ululated in appreciation of the First Lady’s contribution.
According to Sauda Kauma, Mrs. Museveni made the pledge on May 12, 2024, during a fundraising event for the new church. Although the First Lady couldn’t attend the event personally, she ensured that her pledge was fulfilled, which Kauma praised as a testament to Mrs. Museveni’s dedication to both the nation and her spiritual beliefs.
“I am now relieved. I was living under tension about the pending pledge, but now I am happy and free after receiving your long-awaited pledge,” expressed Kauma, visibly excited about the fulfillment of the pledge.
Kauma also took the opportunity to acknowledge President Museveni for his administration’s commitment to religious freedom, a stark departure from past regimes.
Pastor Taremwa, in his gratitude, commended MP Kauma for her integrity in delivering the entire pledge without any deductions or personal gain—a quality he highlighted as rare among leaders. He expressed heartfelt thanks to Mrs. Museveni for her generous contribution and deep affection for their church.
Highlighting their current facilities, Pastor Taremwa noted that the church currently conducts services in an iron sheet building. The planned new church aims to accommodate up to 10,000 worshippers and is estimated to cost 1.5 billion shillings. Despite challenges in securing foreign donors like other churches, the donation from Mrs. Museveni has provided a significant boost to their fundraising efforts.
Eunice Yotaliwa, the chairperson of the building committee, announced that construction is set to commence next week following the injection of 50 million shillings. Legal formalities with the contractor are nearing completion, ensuring that construction can begin promptly.
