The Archbishop of Church of Uganda, The Most Rev. Dr. Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu has lauded renowned businessman and philanthropist Dr. Ben Mugasha, commonly known as BEMUGA, for his substantial contributions to the Church and its ministers.
Archbishop Kaziimba made these remarks at St. Mark Church of Uganda Kyeibare in West Ankole Diocese, while preaching at the thanksgiving Service for Dr. Mugasha and commissioning of a house he built for the parish priest.
“I came to know Dr. Ben through my elder brother, Archbishop Emeritus Dr. Henry Luke Orombi. Ben is very well known for his love for the Church, supporting its development and its Ministers.” Archbishop Kaziimba said.
He added, “It’s a very big challenge for a priest sleeping in a leaking house to give you a blessing while you sleep in a posh house. The priest is walking on foot or on a bicycle and you have a fleet of cars. That blessing will most likely come with sorrow.”
In his sermon, while referring to the proverbial scripture in Luke 17:15-17 about how the ten lepers were healed, but only one returned to express gratitude, Archbishop Kaziimba referred to Dr. Mugasha as the one leper who returned to Jesus to give thanks.
The Bishop of West Ankole Diocese, Rt Rev Johnson Twinomujuni challenged believers to always use what God has given them for God’s work.
“Always ask yourself this question: If I had not been born, what would the world have missed in my absence? Whenever there is a call to support the building of churches and affiliated projects, it’s a golden opportunity for you to give back to God a part of what He has given you,” Bishop Twinomujuni said.
Dr. Ben Mugasha said that when God healed him, he acknowledged that God had given him a second chance to live, because there was unfinished work for him.
“A few years ago, at one of the prominent functions, my liver burst. I was taken to Nairobi for specialized treatment. Doctors gave me 5% chances of recovery but God gave me 100%. They had even tied a ribbon on my right hand to identify me properly in the mortuary but when they returned, they found me taking tea.” Dr Mugasha said.
He added, “God instructed me to build a house for the Parish Priest. He was living in a dilapidated house. I was touched. I don’t want this house to be named after me, but after God.”
In his testimony, Dr. Mugasha said, “In 2020, I was at a give away of a daughter of one of my friends in Rukungiri after lunch when my liver was medically reported to have burst into two. My blood pressure was reading 235/190.”
He added, “As part of medical specialists findings during the theatre process in Nairobi, my gallbladder was rotten, I had a tumor the size of a tennis ball, and it had to be cut out and this left me with a lot of clots, which made Doctors doubt my chances of survival but my God’s grace, I survived.”
“As we celebrate today’s function, it is exactly 1,694 days (4 years, 7 months and 20 days, I am alive and still counting. As my 62nd Birthday gift, I offer this token of thanksgiving, the vicarage.” Dr. Mugasha said.
The Minister of Works and Transport, Hon. Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala commended Dr. Mugasha for considering to give thanks to God.
“When I survived the unfortunate shooting incident involving 50 bullets, I realized the hand of God. There is no military nor physical tactic I applied but God’s miraculous protection. Since then I offered my life fully to His service. It’s always important to give thanks.” Gen. Wamala said.
During the Service, over 132M, two hundred bags of cement and two cows were collected to support the completion of St Mark Church of Uganda Kyeibare.
Retired Bishops; Yona Katonene and Eng. George Bagamuhunda, members of Parliament, government officials and several dignitaries attended the Service.
