On 9th June 2023, 24 couples from the Father’s Union of St Stephen’s Kitara COU, Diocese of Kampala travelled to Dubai for five days tour/ retreat and returned on 13th June 2023 aboard Emirates Airlines.
The 24 couples all dressed smartly in Fathers’ and Mother’s union uniforms were received by their family members and later headed to St. Stephens Kitara church of Uganda on queens’ way in Katwe for special welcome fellowship and dinner.
According to the Vicar Rev. Karyaija Kenneth, “the retreat was meant for the married couples to fellowship together, tour UAE and also have fun together. We thank God the 24 couples who went to Dubai had good fellowship as a team and also had fun as a team and managed to come back together as a team.” Kenneth said.
“Since among the couples we have serious businessmen there was a visit to many business centers and I am sure they bench marked.” Kenneth added.
The vicar also urged the Father’s and mother’s union members to keep working together as one so that Gods work can go on.
The Dubai experiences
Desert tour
The group managed to have a desert safari where they had a full Arabic desert experience where they enjoyed a dune bashing session in a 4×4 Toyota land cruiser, camel riding, sunset photography, Arabic tea coffee with dates, Arabic costumes for photography, henna painting, belly dancing, tandoori dance (traditional folk dance) and live barbeque at the camp site. (Continental buffet), Arabic sweets and fresh fruits
The Burj Khalifa
The group visited the tallest building in the world where they had a magnificent view of Dubai at the top level 124. They also had to witness the Dubai mall, the aquarium , World Largest Shopping Centre and after proceeded for Dubai City tour where they had City sightseeing of Dubai, the Dubai Creek, Jumeirah Mosque, Burj Al Arab, Atlantis the Palm, Burj Khalifa, Jumeirah Beach, Madinat Jumeirah, Sheikh Zayed Road, Gold Souq. The city tour ended with a Fountain Show at Dubai mall.
Shopping tour and Mega Yacht cruise
The couples were later treated to a mega yacht dinner cruise with Live Entertainment Shows and magnificent Panoramic View that marked the end of their tour in Dubai.
DUBAI FRAME
The Dubai Frame is in Zabeel Park, in the heart of Dubai. This monument will help you witness the transformation of this city over the past few decades. The Dubai Frame building is positioned in such a manner that you will get to witness the various chapters of the city from all angles. On one side, you will see the new Dubai, with its tremendous growth through the towering skyscrapers. On the other side, you will see the old Dubai overlooking Deira, taking visitors back to where it all began. The frame symbolically bridges the gap between the old and new Dubai. It also shows viewers the future of the UAE through a dedicated exhibition.
BURJ AL ARAB – 7-STAR HOTEL
The couples toured Burj Al Arab hotel located on an artificial island, connecting to mainland Dubai via a 340 meters (1,115 feet) long bridge. The world-famous and prestigious Burj Al Arab is the only 7 starving the world.
To many of the couples who were first time visitors to dubai, they remain amazed of the beautiful city and sights that they watched but above all wondering of how a desert has managed to be transformed into a top world tourism attraction site.
“The fathers Union retreats have been held before and we have had couples travel to different parts of Uganda, Israel, Kenya and other parts of the world” said the Vicar.
The vicar also encouraged other young couples to get married so that when such opportunities come, they can also go to fellowship and also have fun as one big family of father’s union.
The trip was organized and coordinated by Twinmart tours and travel company local tour company in Uganda owned by Ms Kamusime Prudence located on Califonia Plaza, Luwum street. For reservations contact the company on 0703813234 or reservations@twinmarttours.com. The Mission of fathers Union is to head and raise families in a marriage relationship that bear the image of God.
