Julius Mugisa dedicates Uganda to God ahead of 2026 elections
Julius Mugisa, an aspiring Member of Parliament for Buruli County, on January 12, 2026, led a multi-faith prayer meeting at Kijunjubwa Primary School, dedicating Uganda to God ahead of the general elections scheduled for January 15, 2026.
The midday prayers brought together religious and local leaders from Kijunjubwa Sub-county in Buruli Constituency, including Pastor Asiimwe Manueri of Nyamukongo Miracle Centre, Reverend Kiirya Tadeo, the Parish Priest of St. James Kijunjubwa, Deputy County Sheikh Habib Hamad, and Catechist Namugerwa Teddy of St. Paul Church, among others.
Opening the gathering, Pastor Asiimwe Manueri welcomed the clergy, local leaders, and residents, and commended Julius Mugisa for organizing what he described as a unique and timely prayer meeting. He said he had received a call from Hon. Steven Kabindi requesting him to lead the prayers and that he accepted without hesitation, citing his calling to serve the community.
Pastor Manueri noted that the gathering was unprecedented in the area, bringing together leaders from different faiths to pray not only for Mugisa but also for Uganda and President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, with a focus on peaceful elections.
He cautioned politicians and their supporters against engaging in insults and hostility during campaigns, urging them instead to avoid rallies or meetings of candidates they oppose in order to maintain peace. Drawing historical comparisons, he cited former presidents Milton Obote and Idi Amin, noting that despite their shortcomings, they had aspects of governance that some citizens still reference.
During his sermon, Pastor Manueri read from Psalms 123:1 and urged congregants not to take January 15 lightly, recalling the violence witnessed during the 2021 elections, particularly in parts of Kampala such as Kalerwe and Kawempe. He warned that even if rural areas remained calm, unrest in urban centers could have lasting consequences for families across the country.
He emphasized that while the government deploys security forces during elections, some risks remain beyond human control and require prayer. He also urged Ugandans to protect the country’s gains by voting peacefully.
Pastor Manueri further reminded religious leaders that the purpose of the gathering was prayer, not the presentation of community grievances to Mugisa, noting that such issues could be addressed once he assumes office, should he be elected. He expressed confidence in Mugisa’s work ethic and ability to serve both Buruli County and Uganda.
He concluded by calling on the congregation to support President Museveni, whom he credited for maintaining peace and positioning Uganda as a hospitable country for foreigners.
Reverend Kiirya Tadeo prayed for President Museveni, asking God to guide, protect, and grant him victory, citing biblical teachings on leadership. Sheikh Habib Hamad prayed for Mugisa, asking God to grant him success, wisdom, and a heart that remembers the people even after elections.
Catechist Namugerwa Teddy thanked God for Mugisa’s initiative and prayed that God’s light would shine upon Buruli and Uganda. Referring to Mugisa’s campaign symbol of a candle, she cited the Gospel of Matthew and prayed that voters would choose leaders who serve selflessly.
Addressing the gathering, Mugisa said he felt spiritually compelled to pray for the nation ahead of the elections. He described his entry into politics as a calling from God, explaining that he previously held a senior government position and was financially and professionally stable before deciding to join politics.
He recounted his involvement in sports development through the formation of Dove FC and Lady Doves FC, which he said helped nurture talent and bring joy to the community, but added that he felt called to serve on a larger scale through leadership.
Mugisa said he initially intended to contest in 2021 but was unable to do so due to the COVID-19 pandemic and his role as a senior government officer working with General Salim Saleh on auditing government accounts. He said he later launched the “Jersey 26” initiative in 2023 to signal his intention to contest in the 2026 elections.
He noted that while he was not widely known during the NRM primary elections, his subsequent independent candidacy helped voters understand his vision. Mugisa criticized what he described as voters’ difficulty in distinguishing between genuine and self-serving leaders.
He also praised Hon. Steven Kabindi for forming an alliance with him after the NRM primaries, saying they combined ideas into a single manifesto for the benefit of Buruli County. Mugisa said he keeps detailed records from his campaign meetings to ensure accountability if elected.
Mugisa told the congregation that his failure to secure the party flag was a test of resilience and faith, adding that he believed the time had come to win the general election. He thanked religious leaders for their prayers and expressed confidence that his political journey had been blessed.
He concluded by asking voters to support President Museveni and to vote for him as Member of Parliament for Buruli County.
Julius Mugisa, also known as “Jersey 26,” is a certified public accountant and the firstborn of Mrs. Jenifer Katusabe and the late John Katusabe of Kigezi-Kiyenje village in Miirya Sub-county, Buruli Constituency, Masindi District.
