Performers dance during the opening of the inaugural Inter-Religious Family Festival at the Kololo Independence Grounds in Kampala, Uganda, June 29. The festival is co-hosted by the Global Peace Foundation and the Ugandan government to highlight family values. Yonhap

KAMPALA, Uganda — The Inter-Religious Family Festival 2024, an inaugural event hosted by the U.S.-based nonprofit organization Global Peace Foundation (GPF), successfully drew curtains with some 20,000 attendees at Uganda's Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, Saturday.

The festival, held in collaboration with the GPF and the Ugandan government, was organized under the theme of "Celebrating Family, Faith, Freedom: One Family Under God for African Renaissance," inviting citizens of all ages, including middle and high schoolers.

Staying true to its theme, the event began with performances from various cultural and religious groups, followed by opening sessions featuring interfaith fellowship and testimonies from families that highlighted how extended family values benefit society. This included speeches from different religious leaders, such as Apostle Serwadda Joseph, Rev. Mukonzo Nyongeza and Sheikh Nasib Musenene.

A standout moment of the festival was when Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni was greeted with enthusiastic cheers from the Ugandan people upon his arrival.

During his speech, Museveni emphasized the values of the traditional African family, which include fearing God, respecting the spirits of ancestors, caring for living family members, creating wealth, producing and caring for children, respecting and obeying parents and valuing education.

President of Uganda Yoweri Museveni delivers a speech during the Inter-Religious Family Festival at the Kololo Independence Grounds in Kampala, Uganda, June 29. Yonhap

"Even traditionally, you had to learn how to fight, but also some people learned other things like Emyooga (Ugandan dialect meaning specialized skills groups), such as skills, farming and defense," he said.

He also noted that religions brought by foreigners have added value to African traditions.

"These religions did not come to replace our base but to enrich it, and when you take it like that, you will not go wrong. The modern religions such as Christianity, Islam and others added value to whatever we are doing," Museveni emphasized.

He acknowledged, however, that some traditional practices had weaknesses that needed to be addressed.

"The traditional way had some weaknesses which we must get rid of like the mistreatment of women, rivalism among families, among others."

Museveni further advised young people to take life seriously to ensure a bright future and cautioned them against engaging in immoral acts.

"Don't play with your life; you need to be very strict with it. When you are young, respect your parents, study and help your parents at home. Parents should also expose their children to life and work," he said.

Global Peace Foundation founder and Chairperson Hyun Jin Preston Moon, left, gives a speech during the Inter-Religious Family Festival at the Kololo Independence Grounds in Kampala, Uganda, June 29. Yonhap

Ubuntu values

Kambula Milton, peace service ambassador and president of the GPF's Uganda chapter, also took the stage to emphasize the importance of family in building a peaceful and prosperous society.

"We are truly one family under God … And it is through this understanding that we can achieve a world free of conflict, poverty and violence," Milton said, expressing gratitude to the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda (IRCU) and the GPF for their roles in coordinating the event.

Milton highlighted Uganda's recognition of its 10,000-year-old civilization and its commitment to promoting shared values of Ubuntu, which refers to the African philosophy of humanity to others, such as living for the greater good, compassion, sharing, forgiveness and love.

"We will not behave contrary to what is in the scripture … We must do what God designed us to do in the original composition and menu of humanity," he said.

GPF founder and Chairperson Hyun Jin Preston Moon also gave a keynote speech during the festival in his typically powerful, cheer-eliciting manner.

"The purpose of creation is family; a family of a man and a woman who are co-creating with God in building His kingdom, and that is one family under God," Moon said, revealing the foundation's vision.

Closing the event were the Ugandan president and Moon jointly signing the Family Vision Statement from Africa, accompanied by GPF International President James Flynn, IRCU Council of Presidents and Ugandan first lady Janet Museveni who doubles as Minister of Education and Sports. They pledged to uphold the values of unity, compassion, forgiveness and peace for the ultimate renaissance of the African continent.