Staff
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on Friday morning delivered a sermon-like message at the “Command the Future” Conference at Miracle Center Cathedral in Rubaga, blending scripture, leadership lessons, and a call to wealth creation before thousands of pastors and believers from around the world.
The conference, hosted by Pastors Robert and Jessica Kayanja, began on Wednesday, November 12, and runs until Sunday, November 16.
Delegates from more than ten countries, including Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Sudan, and South Sudan, filled the cathedral for one of Uganda’s biggest annual faith gatherings.
Before his message, President Museveni and First Lady Janet Kataaha Museveni met briefly with Pastor Kayanja and American televangelist Paula White. The President later commissioned the new cathedral entry and exit gates, still under construction, drawing warm applause.
Pastor Kayanja first led an intense moment of prayer, repeatedly declaring that “poverty is going to leave the church,” and invited General York, Paula White, Dr. Paul Enenche, and Pastor Jessica to join him in praying for Uganda.
Taking the microphone again, Pastor Kayanja paid emotional tribute to Museveni, recalling how Miracle Center once worshipped under a papyrus shelter.
“Your Excellency, in 1986 they didn’t want us to worship here. But you said, ‘Let them worship.’ We were only 10,000 then. Now we are 14.9 million believers in Uganda,” he said.
He asked international guests to stand, saying their presence showed confidence in Uganda’s peace and stability.
Kayanja praised the community projects around the cathedral, farms, markets, youth programs, crediting them to an environment of peace and opportunity.
“God has chased poverty off us. Our children are going to school. Roads are being made. This church you opened years ago never looked like this,” he said as the congregation applauded.
Museveni then delivered a close to ten minutes message on “God’s Creation,” taking a pastoral tone and referencing scripture throughout.
He spoke fondly of his time in the Scripture Union in the 1960s, joking, “I would have been a bishop if I had not gone into liberation politics.”
He said biblical teaching had shaped many of his decisions as president, especially on religious freedom.
He narrated how, at one point, some leaders wanted government to ban a youth fellowship.
“I remembered the Bible,” Museveni said.
“When the disciples asked Jesus whether to stop others casting out demons, Jesus said, ‘If they are not against us, they are with us.’ So I refused to discriminate.”
He thanked churches for embracing wealth creation, noting that Jesus “preached, healed the sick, fed the hungry, and also worked in Joseph’s carpentry.”
Drawing a comparison with early American Puritans “who built the United States through faith, discipline, and hard work”, Museveni urged believers to set the example.
“Let your light so shine before men that they see your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven,” he said.
After his message, Museveni blessed the congregation and greeted visiting clergy.
Pastor Kayanja then invited several government officials, including Minister for Kampala Hajjat Minsa Kabanda, Minister Phiona Nyamutoro, and the NRM Secretary, to join him on stage.
Before the President departed, families of international preachers, among them Paula White’s team were escorted for official photos with him, prompting cheers and excitement from the congregation.
As Museveni exited, Pastor Kayanja reminded attendees that sermons from Paula White and Dr. Paul Enenche would follow.
What began as a spiritual gathering had grown into a national moment, blending faith, governance, community transformation, and the deepening bond between Uganda’s church and state.
The “Command the Future” Conference continues through Sunday, drawing thousands who believe, as Pastor Kayanja declared, that they are “stepping into a new season of blessing and purpose.”
