Minister for the Presidency, Hon. Babirye Milly Babalanda, hosted a heartfelt Thanksgiving ceremony on Saturday in Buyende District, expressing gratitude to God for sparing her life after a near-fatal battle with COVID-19 in 2021.
The event, attended by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and National Resistance Movement (NRM) leaders, also served as a platform for the President to address party unity and economic empowerment.
Babalanda shared a moving testimony, recounting how she contracted COVID-19 shortly after her appointment as Minister in 2021.
“I battled the virus, but it weakened me greatly,” she said, recalling her struggle during the swearing-in ceremony.
“Despite my condition, I took the oath but returned to the hospital immediately. I was bedridden for six months, yet by God’s mercy, my office continued to function.”
She attributed her recovery to divine intervention and the support of President Museveni, whom she thanked for standing by her.
“The Bible teaches us to be thankful in everything so our Father in Heaven can multiply our blessings,” she added, reflecting on her humble, faith-driven upbringing.
President Museveni, the chief guest, seized the opportunity to caution NRM leaders against factionalism within the party. He urged them to embrace principle-based politics and internal dialogue rather than self-serving infighting.
“The NRM was founded on inclusivity, unlike older sectarian-based parties,” Museveni said, commending Babalanda for raising concerns about disunity. “If you have differences, it’s understandable, but you are all NRM. Work in unity for the good of Uganda.”
The President also called on the people of Busoga to combat poverty through wealth creation, emphasizing the distinction between development and personal wealth.
“Development—roads, electricity, schools—benefits everyone, but you can have development and remain poor,” he warned. He encouraged citizens to engage in the four key economic sectors—agriculture, manufacturing, services, and ICT—and to leverage government initiatives like the Parish Development Model (PDM).
“Public service jobs are only about 480,000, but factories alone employ 1.2 million people,” he noted, highlighting the private sector’s role in addressing unemployment.
Museveni pledged 100 million Shillings toward the construction of a Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Buyende and committed government support to tarmac the Kamuli Road, Jinja–Budondo Road, and Walukoko–Luuka Road, underscoring his administration’s focus on infrastructure development.
The Thanksgiving ceremony highlighted both spiritual gratitude and political unity, with Babalanda’s recovery serving as a testament to resilience and faith.
As she concluded, the Minister reiterated her commitment to serve Uganda with humility, a value she credited to her upbringing and the support of God-fearing individuals throughout her life.