Uganda’s President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has donated Uganda shillings 60 million to Little Sisters of St. Francis as they celebrated 100 years of existence.
The support was handed over by Uganda’s Vice President Jessica Alupo Epel in a ceremony held at Nkokonjeru.
The celebrations to mark 100 years was celebrated with Holy Mass, led by the Luigi Bianco, the Apostolic Nuncio to Uganda, assisted by several Bishops.
The religious institute founded by Mother Mary Kevin was canonically recognised as a religious Institute of Diocesan Rite in 1959.
In his remarks that were contained in a speech read by Vice President Jessica Alupo, President Museveni said the Little Sisters of St. Francis have been very instrumental in supporting Government in providing social services.
The President said the celebration was a testimony of their faithfulness to God and mankind since 1923.
He commended the Little Sisters of St. Francis for their devotion to the fight against poverty, disease and ignorance in the communities and thanked the Catholic Church for maintaining a cordial relationship and partnership with the NRM government.
“The Church has exploited the private sector-friendly policies of the NRM government to extend social services to the public. For instance, faith-based institutions have constructed a number of schools and hospitals across the country. This is proof of Church’s concern for the material and physical well-being of the believers”, the President added.
The President called upon the religious leaders to encourage people to select profitable enterprises in the four sectors of: commercial agriculture, industries; services and ICT. “These are the sectors where households can generate jobs and incomes”, Museveni emphasized.
Government, he said, would continue to ensure maintenance of peace and security in the whole Country; construction of the necessary social and economic infrastructure, as a way of facilitating and attracting local and foreign investments to create jobs and incomes for Ugandans.
Earlier, the Vice President, who was clad in a bright blue signature dress with Mother Mary insignia designs, augmented the choir, leading the faithful in a song “this is the day that the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it”.
Alupo said she is direct beneficiary of different congregations like the Sacred Heart Sisters, MillHill sisters and the Little Sisters of St.Francis.
“I’m very proud of the little sisters because they educated my children. I’m one of the parents that can testify that you give all round education. I salute you on that,” the Vice President noted.
“President Museveni is still at the helm, including 2026 and beyond, and all issues would be addressed progressively”, she said.
Bishop Christopher Kakooza of Lugazi Diocese said this was a centenary of dedicated service.