President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has praised the late Rev Eliasaph Sserwadda for living out his faith through both preaching and practical work.

In a message delivered by Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa during a memorial service and thanksgiving for the construction of a church at Kanyeganyegye, Kashari in Mbarara District on Sunday, Museveni said Rev Sserwadda exemplified the balance between spiritual service and earning a living through metal fabrication.

The President said Rev Sserwadda, like Jesus and Apostle Paul, understood that people have both spiritual and physical needs.

He also commended Rev. Sserwadda and his wife, Midresi Ndungi, for raising children grounded in Christian values, noting that these values are reflected in their daughter, Col. Edith Nakalema Asizua, head of the State House Investors Protection Unit.

Col. Nakalema said the family was marking one year since the death of their father and thanked supporters who helped fulfill his wish to build a church in Kanyeganyegye through the Rev. Sserwadda Foundation. She revealed that the Shs1.3 billion church was funded by friends of the family and is near completion.

Former Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Henry Luke Orombi said believers gathered for the memorial service to celebrate the love of the late Rev. Sserwadda.

“We remember the legacy of a great man. We came to honour him because he had a great seed of love. Whoever loves God will never perish,” Archbishop Orombi said.

“He was prayerful, faithful and sacrificed because he loved God. Rev. Sserwadda was happy to serve as a Lay leader, then he was ordained a priest,” he added.

Archbishop Orombi further called on believers to be obedient, explaining that obedience brings people closer to God.

“Abraham obeyed God and became closer to Him. He couldn’t hide anything from him. Jesus calls himself a friend to his disciples. He said they were disciples because they were his friends,” he said.

He also called for peace among Ugandans after passing through a busy electoral season.

“We should always reconcile with one another. May the love of God bring us together. We should work together; there’s no need to hate anybody. We are mandated to be peace-makers because peace is a gift of love,” Archbishop Orombi stated.

The memorial prayers were led by the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Rt. Rev. Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu, who urged Ugandans to promote love and unity.

The event was attended by ministers, Members of Parliament, senior security officials and religious leaders.