Amolatar, Uganda – In a remarkable show of faith and unity, Christians from Amolatar Main SDA Church gathered at Abarler Parish, Muntu Subcounty for a grand fundraising event aimed at advancing the construction of their place of worship.
The event, themed around Exodus 25:8 –“Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them” – attracted believers, community leaders, and political figures, all determined to contribute to the noble cause.
Delivering a powerful sermon, Pastor Ray Maxwell Tweny emphasized the importance of completing God’s house, warning that leaving it unfinished would not please the Lord.
He urged the faithful to give sacrificially, citing the late Charles Angiro Gutumoi, former MP for Erute North, who received blessings after supporting the SDA Church in Amuca.
Pastor Tweny stressed that leaders who invest in God’s work will always be uplifted, calling on politicians to actively support religious development.
Elder Jimmy Okombe, a senior member of the church, provided historical context, highlighting that Amolatar Main SDA Church was the first SDA center in Lango and played a critical role in spreading the faith.
However, due to the growing number of Christians, the current church structure is too small to accommodate worshippers, necessitating the construction of a larger, more durable building.
The church had already invested UGX 37 million in purchasing roofing materials, but progress had stalled due to financial constraints.
Engineer Okera Daniel criticized past leadership for failing to lobby for funds when the church’s roof was destroyed by strong winds, leaving the congregation struggling to move forward.
He urged for urgent intervention to prevent further delays.
One of the highlights of the event was the inspiring speech by Kioga Constituency NRM Aspirant, Col. Dr. Francis Ongia (Chief Guest), who reaffirmed his faith and commitment to service.
“The greatest achievement in life is giving glory to God. That is why I am here today – to honor Him,” he declared, receiving a thunderous applause from the congregation.
Col. Ongia emphasized that his entry into politics aligns with God’s vision, stating that leadership without faith is meaningless.
He expressed deep concern over Amolatar District’s stagnation in service delivery, despite Uganda’s National Development Plans being implemented every five years.
“Uganda got independence in 1962, yet Amolatar remains far behind in development. The role of an MP is to connect constituents with the government. If you don’t have a leader who can lobby effectively, nothing will change,” he explained.
He pointed to other regions where ex-military officers in Parliament have successfully lobbied for better services, including good roads and infrastructure, emphasizing that Amolatar needs a leader with strong connections and a proven record of service.
In a demonstration of his commitment, Col. Ongia made a substantial donation to the church’s construction project:
- A large bull from his farm to be sold to raise funds for roofing.
- 10 bags of cement to support construction.
- A pledge to deliver a formal request to the State Minister for Northern Uganda for iron sheets to complete the church.
Beyond supporting the church, he vowed to continue repairing boreholes to ensure that the people of Amolatar have access to clean water, reinforcing his promise to uplift the district through action, not mere words.
The fundraising event was a testament to the power of unity, faith and visionary leadership.
With continued efforts from the church community and dedicated leaders like Col. Dr. Francis Ongia, the dream of completing the Amolatar Main SDA Church is closer to reality.