KAMPALA – The Minister of State for Trade, Industry and Cooperatives (Industry), Hon. David Bahati, has paid an emotional tribute to Stromme Foundation East Africa as the organization celebrated 50 years of fighting poverty and transforming lives, revealing how the Foundation shaped his journey from a humble beneficiary to a Cabinet Minister.
Speaking as the Guest of Honour at the golden jubilee celebrations held in Kampala, Hon. Bahati, who has served 20 years in Parliament and now serves as a Minister in the Government of Uganda, said the anniversary was not just about an organization, but about a vision, a legacy and a commitment to humanity that began 50 years ago as a journey of compassion.
The Minister, who was visibly moved, disclosed that when he was first invited to the celebration, he broke down in tears. To avoid breaking down on social media and platforms like TikTok, he decided to write his remarks two months in advance and has been revising them until the day of the event, choosing humility over loudness in honour of the humility that the late Reverend Stromme used to help others.
Hon. Bahati said he had initially planned to make the shortest speech of just three words – “Thank you Stromme Foundation” – but felt it would be unfair for someone whose life was shaped by the Foundation to mark 50 years with only three words. He therefore requested more than four minutes from the Master of Ceremonies to share his testimony.
Tracing the history of the Foundation, Hon. Bahati celebrated the man at the heart of the 50-year story, Reverend Stromme, who believed that every human being deserved a chance and that no person is insignificant in the eyes of God. He noted that the Reverend believed persistent poverty was unworthy of God’s promise for humanity.
He emphasized Stromme’s core philosophy that children should not be blamed for the circumstances into which they are born and that where there is suffering, there is a duty to respond. The Minister explained that this understanding taught that people in need are not strangers, but children of God whose dignity, potential and future must be protected, and that children in problems are not problems but priorities.
Hon. Bahati linked this philosophy to the biblical story of the Good Samaritan, saying that when we encounter la wounded traveler on the road to Jericho, we must not pass by on the other side, but must stop, care and extend a helping hand. He said this is the very spirit upon which Stromme Foundation was built and has thrived for five decades.
Giving personal testimony, the Minister who is also the Member of Parliament for Ndorwa West, said his own life is a place in this long story. As one of the people supported by Stromme Foundation, he asked himself after finishing school what he could do to pay back to the Foundation that empowered him.
He revealed that this question inspired him to go back and stand as a Member of Parliament, because he believed influencing policy in education, health and economic empowerment was the best way to give back. He expressed gratitude that he has now completed 20 years of service in Parliament and serves as Minister.
In his closing remarks, Hon. Bahati congratulated the leadership of Stromme Foundation led by the Secretary General and the Country Manager, as well as the partners, friends of the Foundation, and dignitaries including the RDC and Chairpersons of Districts who graced the occasion, for keeping the journey of compassion alive.
He extended sincere thanks to the people of Norway for their consistent support to Africa through Stromme Foundation, noting that their generosity has restored hope for thousands of hopeless children across the continent and built a movement that transforms lives.
The Minister used the platform to market Uganda as a beautiful country full of opportunities, appealing to the Foundation’s network to find investors to invest in power and food processing. He said this would be another powerful way of helping the African continent beyond charity.
Hon. Bahati concluded with a prayer that he will join the Foundation again to celebrate 100 years, after 50 years from now, declaring that tomorrow, we must ensure that the journey of compassion that began 50 years ago continues. He ended his speech with “God bless you” as the audience gave him a big hand of applause.
