By Male Marvin
KAMPALA – Thousands upon thousands on Friday thronged Nelson Mandela National Stadium (Namboole) in Kampala for the annual Independence Night that seeks to unite believers in prayer ahead of Uganda’s Independence Day celebrations on 9th October.
Spearheaded by House of Prayer Ministries International where Pastor Aloysius Bujjingo is lead pastor, the initiative saw Christians, gospel musicians and other leaders from all walks of life flock the 45,202 capacity historical stadium amid tight security.
Earlier speaking to media, Pr Bujjingo said this edition on Independence Night sought to bring Christians closer to God – more into a close “father-child relationship.”
“There has never been one as merciful as God. Anyone who thinks he/she deserves no mercy for what they have done , should stand assured that God has mercy. That is why Independence Night is organised for Born-again Christians and those that are not,” Bujjingo said.
In his sermon at the Stadium, Pr Bijjingo used Psalms 33:12 to lay emphasis on how blessed a nation is whose God is the Lord.
“According to our motto ‘For God and my Country,’ before we celebrate the national independence, we now hold such a big gathering to thank God for Uganda. To pray for our spiritual, physical, financial and mental independence,” he said.
Pr Bujjingo credited that success Uganda as seen in the last 56 years to prayer and an unyielding commitment to historic Christian truths.
“We are going to pray against the spirit of witchcraft, poverty and diseases that hinder you from your opportunities. We are going to pray against the ritual sacrifices and premature deaths. We are going to pray against rejection and loses in your businesses,” he added, before the audience broke out in prayer.
For House of Prayer Ministries International, meeting only once a week on Sundays is hardly enough. The Church gathers for early morning and lunch hour prayer every day, and it’s been doing it for several years.
During their lunch hour, thousands of people attend as others stream online.
“Christians cannot live without faith and prayer, even for a moment,”Bujjingo earlier said. “I believe lunch hour prayer is God’s blessing for us, so I am joyfully attending to the gathering, even though the church is far for some and it takes long.”
The theme for this year’s independence celebration is: “Standing tall to celebrate 56 years of Independence.”
The venue will be Kasasa Grounds on the Kyotera Mutukula highway, Kasasa sub county, Kyotera District.
100 people will receive medals on this day bestowed upon by President Yoweri Museveni who will be accompanied with many distinguished guests.
