More than 200 Salvationists gathered at Entebbe Airport, Uganda, 45 kilometres from the capital city of Kampala, to greet the Chief of the Staff, Commissioner Robin Dunster, and Lieut-Colonel Edna Williams as they arrived to lead the Uganda Command's Easter congress.

Prudence and Sheila, two young girls from the Salvation Army nursery school in Kampala presented the visitors with huge baskets of flowers, although they had not been able to resist plucking some of the petals off while they were waiting! Drummers, traditional dancers, timbrelists and many uniformed Salvationists backed the welcome extended by Officer Commanding Lieut-Colonel Moses Wandulu. The gathered Salvationists responded with a loud 'Amen' to the greetings given by the Chief.

This occasion brought blessing to many other travellers and airport workers who viewed the proceedings from the airport roof.

The new three-storey Uganda Command Headquarters was opened by the Chief of the Staff on Maundy Thursday. The colourful celebration included singing by orphans from a Salvation Army free education project and gospel dance presented by young people from Jinja Corps. Many of the congregation joined in, including one mzee (old man) dancing for the Lord.

The respect for the Army was reflected by the attendance of local council chairman Mr Mahmed Matovu. He referred to the 'beauty and permanence' of The Salvation Army. His comments were later picked up by the Chief of the Staff who said that the Army was not a Non-Governmental Organization passing through but a permanent part of Ugandan society, backed by our presence internationally. She emphasized the work and people represented by the new building and assured everyone present of the integrity that it embodied, drawing attention to the compound railings and the significance of them being yellow, red and blue – the colours of the Salvation Army flag.

The Honourable Minister for Presidency, Dr Beatrice Wabudeya, stood in front of Ugandan and Salvation Army flags as she spoke about the Ugandan constitution which gave freedom of worship, and the Ugandan motto: 'For God and our country'.

The officer commanding gave a report on the building and thanked the USA Western and USA Southern Territories for their individual donations of US$200,000. The Chief then planted a tree and toured the building.

On Good Friday, Salvationists from Western Division and Central District gathered in Kampala to remember Christ's death on the Cross. The Chief shared how she had been woken that morning by the sound of hammering on a work site and said it reminded her of the nails being hammered into Christ's hands and feet.

She knew that some children from the Home of Joy knew sign language and asked them to sign 'Jesus' and they pointed to their hands, showing the mark of the nails. The children later blessed the congregation with an action poem about Christ's death. Music was provided by a choir from Kampala Corps, and corps members also presented a gospel worship dance. Lieut-Colonel Williams gave a thought-provoking message before the main Bible message from the Chief. Many Salvationists and friends responded in prayer and commitment at the conclusion of the meeting.

The following day, children from the Home of Joy (Kampala) and Tororo Children's Home had the privilege of welcoming the Chief of the Staff. The commissioner showed a keen interest when representative children showed their (tidied) bedrooms. Each child was a credit to those who care for them and was able to answer in English questions about themselves, their schools and the home.

At the Home of Joy the commissioner received a signed welcome. Richard is the only deaf boy at the home but many children have taken advantage of Richard's tutor and learned to sign so they can communicate with their friend. The children also sang and danced, showing that the many with physical disabilities were not limited.

At the Tororo home, children sang, recited and danced. Commissioner Dunster and Lieut-Colonel Williams were presented with gifts before the colonel told a story which called for participation from the children.

The congregation at Buwambingwa Corps hall for the women's meeting enjoyed a colourful opening to the programme. First a woman swept the platform, representing her tribe as she danced, and then in turn others brought on the table and chairs, the water, flowers and more. Each came with her own tribal dance – Acholi, Banyoro and other tribes danced into the 'holy living home', finishing with Home League Secretary Grace Ucwii as a dancing Aluru woman carrying wood on her head.

Uganda is a poor country but there were cheers of delight when Bumbo Corps was recognised for raising the most money for Helping Hand. The corps raised 100,000 Ugandan Shillings (around US$45.00), a significant amount of money.

The Chief of the Staff gave her Bible message in the middle of the meeting, which also featured 33 timbrelists from Bumbo corps, gospel dance from Bukhayagi Corps (participants aged six to adult) and a Baganda dance from Mulimani District.

Tropical rain on Easter Sunday morning did not deter Ugandans tramping through mud to celebrate the Risen Lord at Bumbo Corps. Some were delayed because they had to lift their buses back onto the muddy roads. People were wet but they celebrated by dancing and singing in the mud – some with trousers tucked into their socks, before retreating back under the cover of tents.

The growing respect for The Salvation Army in Uganda was shown by the presence of local and national government representatives who wished to acknowledge the presence of the Chief of the Staff. Ambi Walimbwa Charles MP acknowledged the work of the Army in Manafwa District in helping orphans, constructing schools, and preaching the Word of God. The Honourable Welikhe Kafwabusa Michael, Minister for Housing, welcomed the Chief on behalf of Uganda and President Yoweri Museveni. He told her and the congregation: 'The government will always stand by The Salvation Army. The government will always work with The Salvation Army in the service of our people and the service of our Lord.'

Children from Southern Division showed rhythm and impressive balance when they gave a gospel dance in the mud.

The climax of the celebration came in the Easter message from the Chief of the Staff. She told the congregation: 'We are not like God,' explaining that God keeps his promises, God forgives, God gave his Son. At the conclusion of the meeting crowds flocked to stand by the Cross – in three waves, people went to pray before returning to their seats.

Top photo: Commissioner Robin Dunster greets a young child at the Tororo Children's Home; middle: The Chief of the Staff signs the Uganda Command guest book; bottom: Commissioner Dunster salutes Salvationists during march past