I Shall Visit My Homeland In Israel Soon To Pray At Jesus Christ’s Empty Tomb; Gen Muhoozi

Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has attracted attention after expressing his intention to visit Israel soon, describing the country as his homeland and saying he wants to pray at the empty tomb of Jesus Christ.

In a message attributed to him on X, formerly Twitter, Muhoozi said he hoped to travel to Israel and visit the site associated with the burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

“I shall visit my homeland in Israel soon. I must go and say a prayer at the empty tomb of my God, Jesus Christ. God give victory to Uganda and Israel always,” Muhoozi wrote in the post.

The statement highlighted Muhoozi’s expressed religious beliefs and his support for relations between Uganda and Israel. His message also included a prayer for victory for both countries, although he did not explain what he meant by victory.

The reference to Israel as his homeland also drew attention, with the general using personal language to describe his connection to the country. However, the post did not provide further details about the basis of that description.

The empty tomb is an important symbol in Christianity because it represents the belief that Jesus Christ rose from the dead after his crucifixion. Many Christian pilgrims travel to Jerusalem and other biblical sites in Israel to pray and reflect on their faith.

Muhoozi’s statement comes amid longstanding religious and historical connections between Uganda and Israel, as well as diplomatic relations between the two countries. His message combined his stated intention to make a religious visit with a public expression of goodwill towards both nations.

He did not specify the date of the planned visit or provide details about his travel arrangements. It therefore remains unclear when the trip will take place or whether an official programme will accompany the proposed visit.