President Museveni and First Lady Honor Late Tororo Cement Chairman with Prayer Service
By Fredrick Siminyu
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and First Lady Maama Janet Kataaha Museveni hosted a prayer service at State Lodge Nakasero on Saturday, September 21, 2024, in memory of Hasmukh Kanji Patel, the late chairman of Tororo Cement.
The prayer service, led by Bishop Joshua Lwere, was an opportunity for President Museveni to reflect on faith, community, and the importance of actions over labels.
“Jesus taught that we shall know them by their fruits, not by their labels,” President Museveni said, referencing the parable of the Good Samaritan. “This business of Christians versus Muslims versus Hindus should not be such a big issue. Hasu was doing the work of God. You don’t have to be a Christian to be appreciated by God.”
President Museveni emphasized that many people who identify as Christians or Muslims often retain traditional beliefs. “98% of those who say they are Christians and Muslims are actually traditional believers. Holiness is in the actions of people.”
He praised the Patel family’s hard work and successful management of Tororo Cement, as well as their plans to build a factory in Karamoja, which is projected to generate $900 million annually.
“I want to thank Maama very much,” President Museveni said. “She noticed these young people and kept informing me. Thank you for noticing their dedication and informing me, otherwise I would never have known them.”
The First Lady expressed deep condolences to the Patel family and thanked them for their contributions to Uganda’s development.
“This day is one we had to fulfill to honor a friend’s family who stood with us in life,” Maama Janet said. “In death, we must also stand with his family to give our condolences.”
She shared her personal experience with Mr. Patel, who had written to President Museveni expressing his desire to work in Uganda. Maama Janet met Mr. Patel during a visit to Tororo Cement last year, where he informed her about his health issues.
Maama Janet emphasized the need to support Mr. Patel’s children and the Tororo Cement family, highlighting their philanthropic efforts.
“Working with them has truly humbled me,” she said. “Their willingness to serve and give a significant percentage of their earnings to the weak, orphans, and the disabled is commendable.”
Former Minister of Foreign Affairs Sam Kutesa, a friend of the late Patel, thanked President Museveni and the First Lady for organizing the prayer service.
Kutesa shared his first encounter with the Patel family in the 1990s, when the government privatized industries, including Tororo Cement.
“Hasu took over when his father and uncles passed away,” Kutesa said. “Beyond being a good businessman, he was a philanthropist.”
Manish Varsani, representing the Patel family, shared heartfelt memories of his uncle.
“My uncle was not just my family; he was a friend and mentor,” Mr. Varsani said. “He devoted himself to helping orphans, widows, the disabled, and those in need of medical assistance.”
The Patel family plans to establish a $25 million hospital in Luzira in honor of Patel’s legacy.
Tororo Cement is one of Uganda’s largest industries, manufacturing 1.8 million metric tonnes of cement annually. The company also produces galvanized iron, steel products, and nails.
Other attendees at the prayer service included Shartsi Kutesa Musherure, Edwin Karugire, and Patel’s sons, Kirtan Patel, Dhruv Patel, and Dharshak Patel.
