The service is scheduled for Friday, July 31, 2026, at Watoto Church Bweyogerere in Kira Municipality, Wakiso District, beginning at 10:00 a.m.. The announcement was made during a press conference hosted by the Katikkiro of Buganda, Owek. Charles Peter Mayiga, at Bulange, Mengo.

Church Leaders Express Gratitude

Speaking at the press briefing, Pastor Julius Rwotlonyo, Senior Pastor and Team Leader of Watoto Church Ministries, expressed gratitude to the Kingdom of Buganda for entrusting the church with hosting the thanksgiving service.

“As a church, we welcome every opportunity to give thanks to God. The service will glorify God and honour the Kabaka and people of Buganda. I appreciate the Katikkiro and the organising team for their cooperation throughout the preparation journey,” Pastor Rwotlonyo said.

He further noted that Watoto Church was ready to organise a historic event that would reflect the honour and importance of the Kabaka as he marks 33 years since his coronation.

Katikkiro Praises Partnership

Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga described the occasion as a significant milestone, noting that Watoto Church would become the first evangelical church to host the Kabaka’s Coronation Anniversary Thanksgiving Service.

“It has become our practice to hold prayers for the anniversary celebrations at different places of worship, and this year, it pleased His Majesty, the Kabaka, to come to Watoto Church,” Mayiga said.

“I am very happy that you agreed to host the service as we pray for the King, the Kingdom, and the country. We’re grateful for this partnership and look forward to celebrating God’s goodness together,” he added.

Katikiro Mayiga also commended Pastor Rwotlonyo and his team for their cooperation and commitment in preparing for the celebrations.

A Tradition of Interfaith Commemoration

Since 2024, the Buganda Kingdom has shifted from traditional public celebrations to rotational faith-based commemorations, with different religious communities taking turns leading prayers in honour of the Kabaka’s coronation anniversary.

The inaugural edition under the new arrangement was held at Namirembe Cathedral in 2024 and was led by the Anglican faith, while the 2025 thanksgiving service was hosted by the Muslim community at Kibuli Mosque. This year’s event at Watoto Church Bweyogerere marks another milestone in the kingdom’s interfaith approach to commemorating the Kabaka’s reign.

Katikiro Mayiga explained that the Kabaka deliberately rotates the annual thanksgiving service among different places of worship as a demonstration of religious inclusiveness. “The Kabaka does not choose religion for his people; they choose for themselves. His Majesty always instructs us to embrace everyone,” he said.

Celebrations Under the Theme of Courage

This year’s coronation anniversary will be celebrated under the theme, “Fortitude as We Preserve Our Heritage” . Mayiga said the theme challenges Baganda to remain steadfast in protecting the kingdom’s cultural identity and values for generations to come.

“We need courage in everything we do. To be a good Christian, you must have courage. To be a good leader, you must have courage. When we have fortitude as we preserve our heritage, we protect it today and ensure future generations find it intact and relevant to their lives,” Mayiga said.

Open to the Public

Watoto Church announced that the Thanksgiving Service is open to the public, with members of the congregation and the wider community encouraged to attend and participate in prayers for Kabaka Mutebi, the Buganda Kingdom, and the nation.

The church has also called on worshippers to pray for a God-honouring service that exalts Jesus Christ and promotes unity during the celebrations.

Background

Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II was crowned on July 31, 1993, succeeding his father, Kabaka Sir Edward Frederick Mutesa II, and has since led the Buganda Kingdom for more than three decades. He is the 36th Kabaka of Buganda.