Kamuli district has this Thursday gone down on knees, praying and fasting, to ask God extend His healing hand to the ailing Speaker of Parliament and area woman MP, Rebecca Kadaga.
The district had earlier planned to hold the women’s day celebrations today. “But we made these plans not knowing that our role model would be hospitalized,” said Chairperson of the district women’s Council, Masitula Namatovu.
Kadaga had last month confirmed that she would be the chief guest at the today’s belated celebrations.
The district National Resistance Movement (NRM) Administrative Secretary, Trevor Solomon Baleke told the press in Kamuli that they had to change the program because “in our culture, we don’t merry make when a mother is sick.”
Kadaga is also the district chairperson of the NRM women’s league and the second national vice chair of the ruling party.
“We have therefore agreed with the district leadership to direct all our energies and resources towards prayers for our great woman,” said Baleke.
By 10:00am this morning, St Mark Church of Uganda in Kamuli Municipality where prayers are being held had been filled to capacity.
The service which was still going on by press time is being attended by religious leaders from different denominations, members of Kamuli Rotary Club, the media, the mother’s Union, female heads of school, government institutions, the business community and local leaders among others.
“And we are holding another mega gathering at Namasagali C/U primary school grounds where we had planned to have the women’s day celebrations. For those who have not managed to be at St Mark are already in Namasagali for prayers too,” Baleke explained.
While representing Hajji Ddumba Moses – the Resident District Commissioner, the NRM admin (Baleke) appealed to the people who couldn’t make it to the venues to at least pray from their homes and workplaces.
“If you can’t join us at St Mark and at Namasagali, please pray from wherever you are. We believe that the Lord shall hear us,” he said.
Muslims in Kamuli municipality will also hold special dduwa (prayers) for the speaker at the different mosques starting 1:45pm today.
Kadaga was at the weekend airlifted to Nairobi’s Aga khan hospital for further treatment.
Speakers’ admission to the Nairobi health facility was confirmed by parliament’s press secretary, Sam Obbo who said the decision was made basing on doctors’ advice.
Mr. Obbo said the speaker is stable and is steadily recovering and soon she will resume with her work.
Kadaga was last Thursday night admitted to Nakasero hospital over fatigue related illness attained from hectic working tour in morocco and USA.
“Due to hectic work schedule, fatigue and jet lag, she had to admitted, we hope her privacy will be respected during this period,” reads in part of the statement released by parliament’s press secretary.