President Calls for Hard Work, National Unity and Responsible Leadership at 28th Uganda National Prayer Breakfast

ENTEBBE, Uganda | October 9, 2026

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has called on Ugandans to embrace hard work, develop their God-given talents and take an active role in national development, emphasising that building a prosperous country requires individual responsibility, unity and a commitment to serving others.

The President made the call on Friday during the 28th Uganda National Prayer Breakfast at State House Entebbe, held under the theme “Wake Up, Work Hard, Build Uganda.” The annual gathering, organised by Parliament ahead of Uganda's 64th Independence anniversary on October 9, brought together national leaders and invited guests for prayers, reflection and thanksgiving.

President Museveni was the chief guest, while Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Jacob Markson Oboth Oboth served as chief host.

Congratulating Ugandans on the country's Independence anniversary, the President also expressed gratitude to God for preserving the life of First Lady Maama Janet Kataaha Museveni and supporting her recovery from illness.

“First of all, I congratulate Ugandans on this Independence Day which we are going to celebrate tomorrow. Secondly, I want to thank God for preserving the life of Maama and ensuring her steady recovery. I praise God for that mercy,” President Museveni said.

President Connects Faith to National Development

The President commended Parliament for sustaining the National Prayer Breakfast, describing the gathering as an opportunity to strengthen the relationship between faith, leadership, national unity and the responsibility to build the country.

Reflecting on the origins of the prayer breakfast tradition, President Museveni recalled that Christian leaders in the United States had reached out to the National Resistance Movement (NRM) leadership during the early years of its government.

He said he understood the tradition as an initiative through which prayer could help bridge divisions, encourage dialogue and bring together leaders who might otherwise struggle to communicate.

Drawing on his own experiences as a student leader in the 1960s, President Museveni recalled opposing political divisions based on tribe and religion, arguing that such divisions contradicted the fundamental principles of faith and humanity.

“In Uganda at that time, politics had been sectarian according to tribes and religions, pretending to work for God when in fact they were fighting one another on behalf of God. I was president of the students union but I walked out because they were wrong,” he said.

The President maintained that respect for every human being should be central to religious belief and public leadership.

“I told them that when God created man, He created him in His own image. So, when you hate anybody because of a tribe or religion, you are hating a product of God,” he said.

President Museveni also reflected on his time as President of the Scripture Union in the 1960s, when he challenged interpretations of Christianity that, in his view, discouraged people from working to improve their circumstances.

He cited the Biblical parable of the talents in Matthew 25, highlighting the responsibility of individuals to develop and multiply the abilities and opportunities entrusted to them.

“I told them about the parable of the talents. The master rewarded the one who had multiplied the talents and punished the one who had not. I said I cannot sit on my talents; I must multiply them,” he said.

Recalling a disagreement at Mwiri in 1965, the President said he had challenged arguments suggesting that Christians should simply pray and leave everything else to God.

He explained that his understanding of the Bible placed responsibility on human beings to act, work and exercise stewardship over creation rather than remain passive.

He also referred to the Biblical account of Jesus overturning the tables of traders in the temple, presenting it as an example of taking action when circumstances demand it.

President Museveni said the National Prayer Breakfast reflected the principle of loving God wholeheartedly while extending love and responsibility towards one's neighbour.

His message aligned with the gathering's theme, which called on Ugandans to translate faith and national aspirations into practical action through hard work, productivity and participation in the country's development.

First Lady Gives Thanksgiving for Uganda and Her Recovery

In the closing prayer, First Lady Maama Janet Kataaha Museveni offered thanksgiving for Uganda's national journey, the country's development efforts, the resilience of its institutions and her personal recovery from illness.

Drawing on Psalm 111, she praised God for what she described as His enduring faithfulness and guidance throughout Uganda's history.

“We are gathered here today on the eve of our 64th Independence celebration to give thanks to You, our God, for all of Your mercies towards us. It is Your guiding hand that has strengthened, guided and upheld us all these many years,” she said.

The First Lady also gave thanks for the country's electoral process earlier in the year, President Museveni's inauguration for another term, and the subsequent inauguration of Cabinet and Parliament.

She prayed that the country's political and public institutions would remain committed to service delivery, transparency, integrity and responsible leadership.

Reflecting on Uganda's response to the Ebola outbreak in the region, Maama Janet expressed gratitude for the country's efforts to contain the threat while maintaining essential services, including the continued operation of schools.

She commended health workers for their dedication and for supporting neighbouring countries in responding to public health challenges.

“We thank You for building our internal capacity as a nation so that we are now able to be of help and support to our neighbours,” she said.

Her remarks highlighted the importance of strengthening Uganda's health systems and regional cooperation in addressing public health emergencies.

Prayer for Oil Sector, Agriculture and Sustainable Growth

The First Lady also offered thanksgiving for developments in Uganda's oil and gas sector, describing the progress towards crude oil production as an important milestone in the country's long-term economic ambitions.

She referred to the crude oil project, named Pearl Sweet, as a vision that President Museveni had pursued over several decades and expressed hope that the country's natural resources would contribute to national prosperity.

“This was a vision You put in the heart of our President many decades ago and now finally we are beginning to see the fulfilment of that dream,” she said.

Maama Janet prayed that Uganda's natural resources would be managed responsibly and become a source of economic growth and improved livelihoods for its citizens.

Turning to agriculture, she prayed for sufficient rainfall that would support farmers without causing destructive weather conditions.

She also called for greater investment in irrigation, noting that Uganda's water resources could help reduce dependence on rainfall and strengthen agricultural production.

“Help us to take more strides in the area of irrigation because You have blessed us with many water bodies across the nation and we need to use this water resource responsibly and not only rely on the rainfall,” she prayed.

Her appeal underscored the importance of water management and irrigation in building a more resilient agricultural sector, particularly for farming communities whose livelihoods depend heavily on seasonal rainfall.

The First Lady also remembered the people of Tooro following the death of the kingdom's former monarch, the late King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.

She expressed gratitude for the comfort extended to the kingdom and the wider country during the period of mourning, while praying for continued strength for the royal family and the people of Tooro.

“We appreciate the comfort and consolation that You gave to the people of Tooro and Uganda as we grieved the loss of the young King Oyo,” she said.

First Lady Thanks Ugandans for Prayers During Her Illness

In a personal testimony of thanksgiving, Maama Janet attributed her recovery to God's mercy and the prayers and support she received from Ugandans during her illness.

“Finally, Lord, on my own behalf and on behalf of my family, I give You all the praise and glory for saving my life and giving me this opportunity to stand in the congregation of Your people and testify of Your goodness, mercies and healing power,” she said.

She expressed appreciation to Ugandan families and children who prayed for her during the difficult period, describing their support as a source of comfort to her and her family.

“I thank You that in my hour of need, the families and children of Uganda also prayed for me and carried me in their hearts. This prayer breakfast is even more poignant for me and my family because we know that we have received great mercy and grace this year,” she said.

The First Lady also prayed for divine wisdom and guidance for President Museveni as he continues to lead the country, while calling on public officials to embrace servant leadership.

She further prayed for national unity, drawing on Exodus 33, in which Moses asks for God's presence to accompany the people on their journey.

Her prayer brought together themes of thanksgiving, compassion, national cohesion and the responsibility of leaders to serve the public with humility and integrity.

Speaker Reaffirms Importance of National Prayer Breakfast

Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Jacob Markson Oboth Oboth thanked God for the gathering and commended President Museveni for continuing to host the National Prayer Breakfast at State House Entebbe.

He also recognised the First Lady's contribution through prayer and her support for the annual gathering.

“Thank you, Your Excellency, for opening the doors of the State House to host these prayers for all these years. We are grateful for that example in leadership. Maama Janet, we thank you for your ministry of prayer and for becoming a pillar at a time when many of us are demanded by the crowds,” Speaker Oboth said.

The Speaker described the theme, “Wake Up, Work Hard and Build Uganda,” as timely, particularly as the country pursues industrialisation, infrastructure development, peace and security.

He emphasised the relevance of collective responsibility as Uganda continues working towards its development aspirations.

The keynote address was delivered by H.E. Eduard Heger, former Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic, adding an international perspective to the gathering.

Leaders Pray for Families, Economy and Global Peace

The breakfast also featured prayers dedicated to different aspects of national life and international affairs.

Hon. Mary Kamili Kuteesa led prayers for families, while Hon. Wilfred Babanga, Member of Parliament for Terego East, prayed for the economy.

Hon. Alfred Edakasi, MP for Kaberamaido, led prayers for the nation, while Government Chief Whip Hon. Jane Ruth Aceng prayed for the region.

Hon. Naome Kabasharira, MP for Rushenyi, led prayers for peace in the world.

Biblical readings from Proverbs 20 and Matthew 25 were delivered by Hon. Santa Alum and Hon. Tom Bright Amooti, respectively.

Participants also heard a testimony from Dr. Canon Gaster Lule, founder of Ntake Bakery, which was established in 1978.

The 28th Uganda National Prayer Breakfast brought together faith, national reflection and leadership at a significant moment in the country's history, with the President's message placing particular emphasis on hard work, the development of individual talents, religious tolerance and the collective responsibility of Ugandans to build a prosperous nation.

As Uganda marked 64 years of independence, the gathering renewed the call for citizens and leaders alike to translate national aspirations into practical action through productivity, responsible leadership and service to others.