By Our Reporter
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, joined thousands of followers to celebrate the 96th birthday of Omukama Ruhanga Owobusobozi Bisaka, founder and leader of the Faith of Unity. The grand event took place at the Omukama Ruhanga Owobusobozi Bisaka International Stadium in Kyalubayinga, Kagadi District, attracting a crowd from across Uganda and beyond.
Owobusobozi Bisaka, whose faith has a strong following with millions of adherents and its headquarters at Kapyemi Village, Muhororo Subcounty, Kagadi District, was honored as a spiritual leader who has promoted unity, discipline, and a strong work ethic among his followers.
Speaking as the chief guest, President Museveni commended Owobusobozi Bisaka for fostering cohesion and resilience in his community. “These people have resisted disunity. I came to understand what you believe and see the good in it. I pray for your blessings and pledge my support,” the president said.
Museveni also emphasized the importance of preserving African cultural values, urging followers to continue promoting self-reliance, peace, and development through unity.
In a highlight of the day’s proceedings, the president commissioned a new multipurpose school building at Omukama Ruhanga Owobusobozi Bisaka Itambiro Secondary School. The institution is part of a growing educational network under the Faith of Unity, currently serving over 5,000 students by combining spiritual teachings with practical skills to empower the youth.
Owobusobozi Bisaka expressed gratitude to President Museveni for his leadership and commitment to religious freedom by presenting him with a heifer and endorsing his continued leadership of Uganda. “Without peace, our mission would not have thrived. We thank you for creating an environment where Ugandans can pray freely,” he remarked.
Born in 1929, Owobusobozi Bisaka founded the Faith of Unity on February 22, 1980. The faith’s origins trace back to what followers describe as a miraculous healing of a chronically ill woman named Mutoro, marking the beginning of a mission dedicated to divine healing that spans 96 years.
The Faith of Unity has expanded to 35 dioceses (bukwenda) worldwide, each hosting a healing center. Followers observe monthly gatherings and prayers on the 2nd, 12th, and 22nd of each month in accordance with their unique faith calendar.
The birthday festivities included vibrant cultural dances and messages of appreciation from local officials. Kagadi LC5 Chairman Ndibwami B. Yosia credited Owobusobozi Bisaka’s teachings for transforming the region: “Before Owobusobozi, Kagadi was known for witchcraft and cannibalism. Today, we see a peaceful, hard-working, and united society.”
Distinct from mainstream religions, the Faith of Unity rejects the Bible, viewing it as divisive. Instead, adherents follow the “Book of Faith and Unity,” authored by Owobusobozi Bisaka, which advocates for cleanliness, charity, and prayer as pathways to eternal life.
To many followers, Owobusobozi Bisaka is revered not just as a spiritual leader but as “Ruhanga,” God incarnate, whose ongoing miracles and divine healings affirm both spiritual and physical well-being.
The 96th birthday celebration marked a significant milestone for the Faith of Unity and reinforced its commitment to spiritual growth, community development, and cultural pride.