Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa has expressed frustration with critics who question and scrutinize top officials for constructing or renovating churches in their home areas, providing decent places of worship for communities.
Tayebwa made the remarks while officiating at the memorial service of the late Eliasaph Sserwadda, father of Col. Edith Nakalema, head of the Statehouse Investors Protection Unit, in Kashari, Mbarara District, on Sunday.
He commended the Sserwadda Foundation for building a church to fulfill the late Rev. Sserwadda’s vision.
"I am glad that Col. Nakalema and the Sserwadda Foundation, which is composed of people from my class and friends, started this initiative to build for God. My wife Anita and I will definitely support you," Tayebwa said.
He added that he has long been troubled by those who criticize officials for constructing churches in their hometowns.
"I built a church in memory of my grandmother, and some people questioned the expense. They didn’t understand it was part of my closure," he said.
Tayebwa reflected on his upbringing, noting that his grandmother, who had little material wealth, instilled in him the values of the church.
"So I didn’t have any reward to give her, but some people have no idea where we came from and speak just for the sake of it. We find people putting up bars and leisure centers, yet we never question them," he said.
He also addressed expectations from the public that officials who build churches should also construct schools and hospitals.
"When we build churches, they begin telling us to build schools and hospitals, yet they don’t know we have also done that. I am really disappointed in our generation and pray that whatever we have achieved is from God," Tayebwa said.
He encouraged others not to shy away from building for God, applauding Col. Nakalema for the construction of St Paul’s Church of Uganda, Kanyeganyegye.
"I want to thank Col. Nakalema and the Sserwadda Foundation. To all those with the capacity to construct for God, keep it up. Don’t be shy just because people are asking you to build schools and hospitals," he said.
Tayebwa further emphasized that even schools are ultimately under God’s authority. "Even schools can sometimes produce thugs and thieves. So when you don’t build on God’s foundation, you have done nothing," he added.
Notably, several top officials—including Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, former minister Sam Kutesa, and Col. Edith Nakalema—have constructed churches as a form of giving back to God and the community, a practice that often sparks public debate.
