Pallisa, Uganda: Former Agule County Member of Parliament David Ochwa on Saturday hosted an ecumenical thanksgiving service that drew an estimated 6,000 worshippers to his home in Dudi Cell, Morukokume Ward, Agule Town Council, where religious and political leaders called for peace, unity and an end to election-related violence.
The thanksgiving was organised to thank God for protecting Ochwa after he survived an attack on January 12, 2026, in Oboliso Sub-county. By mid-morning, thousands of believers had filled the compound, singing, praying and worshipping together.
The service was led by Fr. Chrysostom Oduc of Chelekura Parish in the Tororo Archdiocese and Rev. Canon Charles Firefox Okiror, the Diocesan Secretary of Bukedi Diocese, bringing together Catholics, Protestants and Pentecostals in a rare display of Christian unity.
Former Minister of State for Persons with Disabilities, Hon. Hellen Asamo, who presided over the function as the day’s guest speaker, thanked God for Ochwa’s survival and encouraged him to view his electoral defeat as an opportunity for new beginnings.
“For you, Ochwa, I really thank God. Some people call losing an election the end, but take it as the opening of another door. Magnify your investments, and you will live a stress-free life,” Asamo said.
Reflecting on her own experience after leaving government, Asamo noted how life had changed outside public office. “When I was a minister, two million shillings in my bag couldn’t finish a day with me. Now that I was ejected, that same two million can take me closer to a month,” she said.
Hon Asamo also strongly condemned the attack on Ochwa, describing political violence as unacceptable. “How on earth do you beat a married man with a family because of votes, forgetting you have to coexist? It is an abomination. This vice should be abolished.”
She urged young people to reject being manipulated into committing acts of violence during elections. “If the wind of transition and change blows, there is no need to resist. That is the way to go.”
Clergy preach reconciliation
The clergy used the occasion to urge political leaders and communities to embrace peace and reconciliation.
Fr. Oduc said he was surprised that Ochwa chose to organise a thanksgiving service despite losing the February 2026 parliamentary election, describing the gesture as a sign of faith and resilience.
He warned that political violence, once associated with urban centres, is increasingly spreading into rural communities. “Political violence, once common in Kampala, Wakiso and Mukono, has now descended to our villages and is at our doorsteps,” he said.
Rev. Okiror said the gathering demonstrated the power of faith to unite people across denominations. “Today we don’t talk as Protestants, Catholics or Pentecostals, but as believers and children of one God,” he said.
The thanksgiving also attracted political leaders from across the region.
Former Kwania North MP James Olobo Dubai, representing Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) Secretary General Fadil Twaha, praised Ochwa’s mobilisation efforts and outlined the movement’s priorities.
“Our focus is fighting corruption and poor service delivery. We pay a lot of taxes, but 60 percent of the money goes to private selfish individuals. PLU is fighting that,” Olobo said.
He announced that PLU would soon establish grassroots structures across sub-counties and rallied support for Balaam Barugahara, the Minister of State for Local Government.
Speaking on behalf of residents, William Emuron, the Pallisa District Workers Councillor and chairperson of the organising committee, said the overwhelming attendance reflected Ochwa’s enduring popularity within the community.
He said the turnout demonstrated that the former legislator remains deeply connected to the people despite no longer holding elective office.
The thanksgiving concluded with prayers for peace, national unity and peaceful political engagement as religious leaders urged Ugandans to reject violence and embrace dialogue during electoral processes.
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