Former Foreign Affairs Minister Sam Kutesa is facing criticism online after commissioning a church he funded in his hometown of Sembabule—a project launched by President Museveni.
At the event, Kutesa shared that the church was a fulfillment of a personal vow he made following a serious health battle.
“In November 2022, I was diagnosed with throat cancer and spent six months in Germany undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy. By God’s grace, I recovered. I pledged to build a church in gratitude,” he told the congregation.
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However, his gesture has stirred debate on social media, with many Ugandans questioning his choice of project. Critics argue that investing in a hospital or cancer screening center would have been more impactful for the community.
One user on X (formerly Twitter), Shafi Adams, wrote:
“Sam Kutesa was treated in Germany’s top hospitals, but after surviving, he built a church instead of a hospital for his people back home.”
Another, Alex Kakande, commented:
“Kutesa is reportedly one of Uganda’s wealthiest men. Couldn’t he have invested even Shs10 billion in a cancer research foundation or in training specialists instead?”
Some users drew comparisons to British tourist Samuel Leeds, who survived a boat accident on the Nile, received care in Jinja, and later returned to build a hospital ward worth Shs2 billion.
Kutesa, a long-serving minister and a powerful figure in the ruling NRM government, has also been linked to several high-profile corruption scandals. He is the father-in-law to President Museveni’s son, CDF Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
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