By Mbalire Brian Kisuule ll
(Your Daily Friend)
The Ugandan community in South Africa, under the stewardship of Chairman George William Ssenkubuge, has made it a tradition to celebrate the ending a year and ushering in a new year together.
This year’s celebrations took place at Danville Clinic Hall in Pretoria West, City of Tshwane, South Africa’s main capital. Community members were in a joyful mood, thanking God for another year of life. Although the year was marked by both ups and downs, the community remained grateful to God for the gift of life.
Speaker after speaker praised the Lord. In his end-of-year message, Chairman GW Ssenkubuge, the main celebrant, called upon his compatriots to keep their faith in God, who continues to sustain their lives. He noted that many brothers and sisters passed away during the year and urged members to remember them in prayer, asking the Lord to forgive them for any shortcomings in their lifetime. The Chairman then observed a moment of silence in honour of the departed.
He emphasized the importance of love, stating that without love, unity is impossible. He encouraged the community to begin the new year embracing love and unity, noting that the “first citizen” in our community opened the year with these values.
Pastor Irene Kisakyamukama and Sheikh Kasule led prayers, with messages drawn from the two holy books. The Bible and the Qur’an. They prayed for both the living and the departed Ugandans.
Pastor Irene, speaking on behalf of the Christian faith, challenged what he described as hypocrisy among some Muslims who consume alcohol despite Islamic teachings forbidding it. “You call yourself a Muslim, yet you drink alcohol, you are not a Muslim; you only call yourself one,” she preached.
Sheikh Kasule lightened the mood with humour, saying, “I thank God who created me in his image. Looking this good, if I were a cow, it would have been impossible to survive this Christmas,” sending the audience into laughter.
He emphasized the importance of putting Allah first in everything, explaining that Allah forgives those who acknowledge their wrongs and repent. He shared an example of three friends travelling with their camels who sought shelter in a cave during heavy rain. A large stone blocked their only exit. One suggested that each of them mention a good deed they had done for Allah. After doing so, the stone was removed, and they escaped. Through this story, Sheikh Kasule preached devotion to one God and doing good deeds as a source of salvation.
He further spoke about discipline, defining it as the methodology and mechanism of training the mind and body to produce obedience and self-control. He urged Ugandans from all walks of life to be disciplined, praising Chairman Ssenkubuge as a well-mannered and exemplary leader, please take a leaf from him. Said Sheikh. Kasule.
Ugandans from various sectors attended the event. Notably present was Advocate Denis, a legal practitioner in South Africa, who addressed immigration law issues. He cautioned Ugandans who have not regularized their documentation to be extra careful in the new year, noting that a new immigration bill has been tabled in Parliament which he said is not favourable to foreigners. However, he assured the community that clauses violating immigrants’ rights would be challenged in court and struck out.
He explained that the government is under pressure from vigilante groups such as Operation Dudula and Match-Match. With local government elections approaching, the ANC is seeking votes and attempting to demonstrate action by proposing laws unfavourable to foreigners to entice voters and be reelected.
During the same event, community identification cards were launched. Most attendees received their IDs, a clear indication that Chairman Ssenkubuge is fulfilling his manifesto pledge to ensure all Ugandans living in South Africa are identified through the issuance of community ID cards.
The end-of-year party was a memorable occasion, allowing Ugandans to reconnect with long-time friends. It also provided an opportunity to reflect on the ending year and advise one another on navigating the year ahead.
As 2026 starts, a year in which Ugandans back home will vote. The Pearl of Africa News extends New Year wishes and makes a clarion call to Ugandans in South Africa. Although many may not vote directly, however your financial and moral support to relatives back home gives you influence. You are urged to use that influence wisely when advising your relatives- brother, sister, mother, uncle or your dad on leadership choices. Fourty years under one leader has caused more harm than good; it is time for leadership that respects the rule of law and cares for the people, leadership embodied by Hon. Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine.
