“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light… For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”(Isaiah 9:1–6)
Fellow Ugandans, and Christians all over the world, I bring you warm Christmas greetings in the mighty name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow!
Christmas is a sacred and joyful season in which we reflect on the miraculous birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace and the Light of the World. He was born of a virgin, reminding us that nothing is impossible with God (Luke 1:37). By His Word, God created all things out of nothing (Genesis 1:1–2).
As we celebrate His birth, we pray that the light of Christ will shine in our hearts, transforming our lives to reflect His character. May people everywhere receive the mercy and grace made available through His atoning sacrifice on the Cross.
As we approach Christmas Day and the close of the year, I am pleased to remind the Church of Uganda of our theme for the coming year:
“Anchored in Christ for Unity, Stability, and Peace” (Ephesians 2:14–17).
This theme calls us to remain firmly rooted in Christ, who is our peace and the foundation of true unity. In a world marked by division, uncertainty, and unrest, Christ alone brings reconciliation, stability, and hope. As individuals, families, churches, and as a nation, we are encouraged to draw our strength from Him and to live as agents of peace.
2026 General Elections
As a nation, we also look ahead to a new year that includes national elections. I call upon all political actors, leaders, security agencies, and citizens to commit themselves to peaceful, free, and fair elections. We strongly condemn all forms of brutality and violence, especially against unarmed citizens. Security agencies are called to protect life and human dignity, not to violate them. Dialogue, tolerance, and mutual respect must guide political engagement so that the electoral process remains peaceful and credible. Uganda belongs to all of us, and peace is our shared responsibility.
Environment Conservation
We are further reminded of our God-given duty to care for creation. Environmental degradation continues to expose our communities to disasters such as floods and landslides. I urge all Ugandans to protect forests, wetlands, and fragile ecosystems. Environmental conservation is not optional; it is a Christian responsibility and an act of obedience to God’s call for faithful stewardship.
Church of Uganda’s relief outreach
Sebei Region
This Christmas season, Church of Uganda continues to stand in solidarity with communities facing pain and loss. Following the deadly landslides in the Sebei Region of Eastern Uganda which claimed lives and left many families without shelter, food, and basic necessities, Church of Uganda launched an emergency humanitarian response through its Directorate of Household and Community Transformation (HCT), with funding from ACT Alliance through the Rapid Response Fund.
The response is supporting 800 households in Bukwo, Kween, and Kapchorwa districts, with a total budget of USD 149,000. Families are receiving food supplies, including maize flour, beans, cooking oil, iodized salt, rice, sugar, and soya porridge for children. In line with Sphere Standards, 200 households are also receiving multi-purpose cash assistance to enable them to purchase clothing.
Mental health and psychosocial support is being provided in collaboration with partners, including FHI, the Red Cross, the Ministry of Health, and district health teams. Clinical assessments are ongoing, and a psychosocial mobile clinic is scheduled for early January. Clergy and ministers have also been deployed to offer counselling through holding centres and home visits over the next two to three months.
Affected households are receiving essential non-food items such as mattresses, blankets, jerrycans, basins, sandals, solar lights, and sanitary materials for women and girls. Plans are underway to renovate shelters for selected households beginning in January 2026. Water, sanitation, and hygiene support includes water storage drums, purification tablets, hygiene kits, and continuous community sensitisation.
We take encouragement from Psalm 41:3:
“The Lord will sustain them on their sickbed and restore them from their bed of illness.”
The Church of Uganda remains committed to walking with the people of Sebei as they rebuild their lives and strengthen resilience against future emergencies.
Nakivaale Refugee Settlement
In the same spirit of compassion, the Church has continued to respond to the needs of refugees. On 26th May 2025, through the Directorate of Household and Community Transformation, Church of Uganda flagged off a consignment of relief items to Nakivale Refugee Settlement in Isingiro District, Ankole Diocese. This response supports refugees fleeing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and Burundi.
Following an emergency appeal issued after witnessing the dire conditions in Nakivale and with generous support from the Anglican Relief and Development Fund, dioceses, mission partners, and individual Christians, the Church mobilised essential relief supplies. These included hygiene items, sanitary materials, clothing, baby supplies, and household items aimed at restoring dignity, particularly for women and children.
This work goes beyond the distribution of items. It is about restoring hope, dignity, and assuring displaced families that they are not forgotten. The Church of Uganda remains committed to supporting refugees through both spiritual care and practical assistance, including ongoing initiatives in Nakivale focused on the prevention of gender-based violence.
The National Clubfoot Programme
Psalm 41:3 reminds us:
“The Lord will sustain them on their sickbed and restore them from their bed of illness.”
Clubfoot is a congenital condition in which a baby’s foot is twisted inward or upward instead of facing downward. It affects more boys than girls and may occur in one or both feet. In Luganda, clubfoot is commonly known as “Zamufuula.”
In Uganda, the estimated occurrence of clubfoot is 1.2 per 1,000 births, affecting nearly 2,100 children each year. Without treatment, clubfoot can result in permanent disability. However, early treatment is effective and provided free of charge through the National Clubfoot Programme of Uganda.
Parents and caregivers are encouraged to refer affected children to supported health facilities, including Mulago National Referral Hospital, all Regional Referral Hospitals, CoRSU Hospital, ACHERU/AFAAYO Rehabilitation Centre, Katalemwa Rehabilitation Centre, Kalisizo General Hospital, Kiboga General Hospital, and Mityana Referral Hospital. Together, we can change community attitudes and prevent avoidable disability.
For further information:
- Mr Henry Musoke, Clubfoot Programme Coordinator – 0752 647650 | ncpu@gmail.com
- Ms Dorothy Nabukeera, Coordinator Advocacy & Partnerships – 0776 164218 / 0700 627167 | dorothynab@gmail.com
Strengthening the Church of Uganda’s Communication Infrastructure
Church of Uganda’s partnership with Paxtel Telecom, a subsidiary of Hamilton Telecom, marks a strategic step toward digital transformation and sustainability. Through this collaboration, the Church seeks to connect its dioceses, parishes, schools, and health facilities on a unified and affordable communication platform, enhancing coordination and service delivery. The partnership supports evangelism, administrative efficiency, and digital inclusion, while positioning the Church as an active participant in Uganda’s growing digital economy.
Finally, I extend my warm Christmas greetings to H.E. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, Maama Janet Museveni, and their family; to all government leaders; my brother Bishops and Maamas; the clergy, lay readers, and all Christians of the Church of Uganda. I also convey my sincere greetings and prayers for a blessed Christmas to our Roman Catholic, Orthodox, and Pentecostal brethren, and to all who look in hope to the coming of Jesus Christ—our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.
A BLESSED CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL!
The Most Rev. Dr. Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu
ARCHBISHOP OF CHURCH OF UGANDA
