President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has paid glowing tribute to the late Rev. Eliasaph Sserwadda, praising him as a rare servant of God who blended deep Christian faith with practical action and hard work.
Rev. Sserwadda, who passed away last year, was the father of Col. Edith Nakalema Asizua, the Head of the State House Investors Protection Unit (SHIPU).
In his message, President Museveni emphasized that the late clergyman embodied a holistic understanding of life that balanced spiritual devotion with the responsibility of providing for one’s family.
“He was not just a preacher of the word of God, he was also a specialist in metal works and fabrication. This was his omwooga that enabled him to earn some money to cater for the needs of his family,” President Museveni said.
The President’s message was delivered on Sunday, 8th February 2026, by the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa.
The remarks were made during a memorial service held in honor of Rev. Sserwadda, alongside a thanksgiving ceremony for the construction of a new church at Kanyeganyegye in Kashari, Mbarara District.
President Museveni noted that Rev. Sserwadda’s life mirrored biblical examples of servant leadership, drawing parallels with Jesus Christ and Apostle Paul.
According to the President, the late priest understood that human beings require both spiritual nourishment and physical sustenance.
“Besides his priestly duties, he also worked hard, with his hands to earn a living,” he said.
The President also commended Rev. Sserwadda and his wife, Midresi Ndungi, for raising a disciplined and God-fearing family grounded in strong Christian values.
“Parents and guardians are the first teachers for any child,” President Museveni said.
“Children observe what their parents do and say; and, therefore, model their lives after their actions and words,” he added.
“This is why the family unit is important in society,” he said.
“It is the place where children are trained and mentored to be responsible and productive members of society,” President Museveni emphasized.
The President further revealed that he has personally observed Rev. Sserwadda’s virtues reflected in his daughter, Col. Edith Nakalema.
President Museveni highlighted devotion to God, integrity, selflessness, and a spirit of service as defining traits passed on from father to daughter.
“This is what has enabled her to make a patriotic contribution in the Ugandan army and public service,” he stated.
“I also wish to thank Nakalema’s younger siblings who are also making commendable contributions in their respective capacities,” President Museveni added.
The President concluded his message by expressing gratitude to God for the life and enduring legacy of the late Rev. Sserwadda.
“He will always be remembered for his lifelong commitment to serving God and the Church,” he said.
“Although he is no longer in our midst, his memory and legacy will remain as an inspiration to the present and succeeding generations,” he concluded.
The memorial service was marked by prayers led by the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Rt. Rev. Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu.
Archbishop Kaziimba urged Ugandans to embrace love and reject hatred in their communities and public life.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Col. Edith Nakalema reflected on the year that has passed since they laid their father to rest in the hills of Kashari.
“They say time heals all wounds, but I have learned that time simply teaches us how to carry the weight of a great loss,” she said.
“Today is not a day of mourning, but a day of profound gratitude,” Col. Nakalema added.
“We are here to celebrate a man who was the compass and pillar of our family,” she said.
Col. Nakalema described her late father as a loving and selfless provider who gave his family unconditional love.
“To many of you, Rev. Sserwadda was a Church Leader, a counselor, and a man of God,” she said.
“To me, he was the first person who taught me what it meant to serve,” Col. Nakalema stated.
She explained that her father’s Christianity was not confined to sermons but expressed through daily living.
Col. Nakalema said Rev. Sserwadda did not merely preach the gospel but lived it fully.
She emphasized that his devotion to the Church was not limited to Sundays but defined his entire life.
“I remember growing up, our home was always open to all people,” she recalled.
“Whether it was a neighbor seeking advice or a traveler needing a meal, Taata treated everyone with the same Christian grace,” Col. Nakalema stated.
She testified that her father’s faith remained unwavering throughout his life.
“Throughout his life, his faith never wavered,” she said.
“He taught us that leadership is not about the titles we hold—whether in the military or the government—but about the lives we touch and the souls we lead toward the light,” she added.
Col. Nakalema further described her father as a man of integrity who valued truth and honor above all else.
She said he lived by his word and never compromised his principles.
“In an era where many compromise their values for convenience, he taught me that your name is your most valuable currency,” she noted.
“He was my biggest cheerleader and his words of encouragement still echo in my mind,” Col. Nakalema added.
Turning to her siblings, she urged unity and continuity of the values their father instilled in them.
“To my siblings and the entire family: we are blessed,” she said.
“We didn’t just have a father; we had a giant,” Col. Nakalema stated.
“Let us continue to honor him by remaining united,” she urged.
“Let the values he instilled in us—hard work, prayer, and humility—be the hallmark of the Sserwadda household for generations to come,” she added.
Col. Nakalema also revealed that one of her late father’s greatest wishes was to see a new church constructed at Kanyeganyegye in Kashari.
She said this dream has now been realized through the Rev. Sserwadda Foundation.
“My late father was a man of strong faith, humility, and service,” Col. Nakalema said.
“Throughout his life, he believed deeply in God and in the power of community,” she added.
“One of his long-held wishes was to see a new church built in this very place,” she said.
Col. Nakalema, who has authored a book titled *“My Father and I”* in memory of her late father, noted that although he did not live to see the project completed, his vision endured.
“Although he did not live to see this dream fulfilled, his vision never left our hearts,” she said.
“Together with my friends, who shared both my grief and my commitment to honoring his memory, we established the Sserwadda Foundation,” she explained.
She said the nearly completed church stands as a powerful symbol of unity and faith.
Col. Nakalema described the structure as evidence of what collective goodwill can achieve.
“It symbolizes hope, continuity, and our belief that good works live on beyond our time on this earth,” she said.
She revealed that the Shs1.3 billion church was built entirely through contributions from friends of the Sserwadda family.
“I would like to sincerely thank my friends, partners, and all those who supported this journey—through prayer, encouragement, and resources,” Col. Nakalema said.
“Your contribution has made this moment possible,” she added.
The preacher of the day, former Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Henry Luke Orombi, said believers had gathered to celebrate love as exemplified by the late Rev. Sserwadda.
“We remember the legacy of a great man,” Archbishop Orombi said.
“We came to honour him because he had a great seed of love,” he added.
“Whoever loves God will never perish,” he said.
Archbishop Orombi described Rev. Sserwadda as a prayerful, faithful, and sacrificial servant of God.
“He was prayerful, faithful and sacrificed because he loved God,” he said.
“Rev. Sserwadda was happy to serve as a Lay leader, then he was ordained a priest,” Archbishop Orombi added.
He called on believers to embrace obedience as a pathway to a closer relationship with God.
“Abraham obeyed God and became closer to Him,” he explained.
“He couldn’t hide anything from him,” Archbishop Orombi said.
“Jesus calls himself a friend to his disciples,” he added.
“He said they were disciples because they were his friends,” he stated.
Archbishop Orombi also praised Ugandans for their generosity and love for their country.
“Ugandans have big hearts and are givers,” he said.
“Uganda is a beautiful country and we should love it,” Archbishop Orombi noted.
“Today we are celebrating fruitfulness,” he added.
“When you look at Edith, she is a real Ugandan,” he said.
“When she wanted a husband, she never got one from here, she went to Arua,” Archbishop Orombi remarked.
He also appealed for peace and reconciliation among Ugandans following a heated electoral season.
“We should always reconcile with one another,” he said.
“May the love of God bring us together,” Archbishop Orombi added.
“We should work together, there’s no need to hate anybody,” he urged.
“We are mandated to be peace-makers because peace is a gift of love,” he concluded.
The Anglican Bishop of the Central Buganda Diocese, Rt. Rev. Michael Lubowa, who ordained Rev. Sserwadda, said the late priest lived and died as a faithful witness of Christ.
“As a married person, loyal to his wife in sickness and health, Rev. Sserwadda loved his children equally and he loved the ministry so dearly,” Bishop Lubowa said.
He encouraged Christians to emulate the late Rev. Sserwadda’s exemplary character.
“He was eager to learn, generous and neat,” Bishop Lubowa stated.
“He told me that Col. Nakalema was his encyclopedia,” he added.
“I’m happy that Col. Nakalema is fulfilling his dreams,” Bishop Lubowa said.
The memorial service was attended by Ministers, Members of Parliament, senior army and police officers, religious leaders, and other dignitaries from across the country.
