The Bishop of the Diocese of Kigezi, Rt. Rev. Gaddie Akanjuna, urged Christians to use their blessings in service to God and live guided by loyalty and gratitude. His call came during a thanksgiving service held for Natasha Nyonyozi, the reigning Miss Uganda, at St. John’s Kamuganguzi Church of Uganda Archdeaconry in Kamuganguzi Sub County.
The day’s celebrations began with the Lake Bunyonyi Eco Marathon, organized by CEPCOM Uganda in partnership with the Kigezi Corporate League, under the theme “Save Biodiversity Loss, Save the Prestigious Kigezi Region for Sustainable Co-existence.” As the chief runner, Nyonyozi led around 200 participants in the 10km race, starting and finishing at Kabale Main Stadium.
She was joined by her team from the Miss Uganda initiative, Ndorwa County West MP hopeful Eliab Naturinda Mporera, Kabale Municipality MP hopeful Joseph Mutebile, and other dignitaries. Many participants voiced their appreciation for the initiative, stressing the importance of environmental conservation.
Following the marathon, a thanksgiving service was held at St. John’s Kamuganguzi Church of Uganda, presided over by Bishop Akanjuna. In his sermon, he emphasized the significance of seeing achievements as divinely orchestrated, encouraging Christians to honor God’s role in their lives and be mindful of contributing positively to others. Citing Jeremiah 1:4-5, he reminded congregants that God has a purpose for every individual from the moment of creation.
During the service, several speakers highlighted the importance of investing in education for children, noting it as a pathway to significant accomplishments. Eliab Naturinda Mporera, one of the event organizers and an MP hopeful for Ndorwa West, emphasized the importance of personal growth and goal-setting for youth, urging them to focus on education and well-being.
Expressing her gratitude, Nyonyozi shared, “I am truly humbled by the support from my community. Growing up here shaped who I am today, and I am grateful to God and to everyone who has supported me on this journey. I hope my journey encourages young people to believe in themselves and to always remember the value of faith and hard work.” She also called on the community to support her in the upcoming Miss World competition, expressing appreciation to everyone who helped her win the Miss Uganda title.
The day concluded with a vibrant celebration, including a ladies’ football match at Kamuganguzi playground, where the Kabale Select team defeated the Ndorwa West Select team with a 5–0 score. The festivities wrapped up with a concert featuring performances by local musicians, attended by hundreds of Nyonyozi’s family, friends, and supporters from the community.
ENDS///
