Herbert Munguleni
St. Anne General Traders, a company specializing in church ornaments and priest attire, celebrated its silver jubilee in a colorful ceremony on 2nd May 2025, marking 25 years of service to the people of God. The celebration, which doubled as a day to give back to clients and employees, commenced with a mass led by Papal Nuncio, Rtd. Archbishop Dr. Augustine Kasujja.
The director of St. Anne General Traders, Annet Maxencia Ssekayombya, advised entrepreneurs to be consistent and believe in God, saying, “He has his success story for you.” She shared the company’s humble beginnings, starting with a loan from Centenary Bank and the sale of her brother’s land in Entebbe.
St. Cecilia Choir of Nkumba University, which has a close relationship with Mrs. Ssekayombya, animated the mass. Charles Muleme, the former Chairperson of the choir, expressed gratitude to Mrs. Ssekayombya for her contributions to the choir, saying, “Most of the beautiful gowns we are using as a choir are all her contributions.”
During his preaching, Dr. Kasujja reminded businessmen and women to prioritize God in their endeavors. He also advised youths to be creative and stop relying on employment opportunities. “Stop crying of unemployment,” he said.
Mrs. Ssekayombya highlighted the company’s growth, from starting with fabrics to specializing in church vestments. She thanked a sister from Bukalango for introducing her to the business. The company has expanded to several shops across the region and recently opened a junior school, St. Anne Junior School, Kawafu.
However, Mrs. Ssekayombya appealed to the government to regulate taxes, saying, “We love paying taxes, but it’s not fair when taxes make prices rise.” She advised young entrepreneurs to love their customers and not put pride in their wealth. “Do not despise customers who buy something for Ug.shs.1000,” she said.
Fr. Clever Peter Tamale, a priest of Wakiso Parish, praised St. Anne Traders for building a good reputation with clients and God. He advised youths to stay away from drugs and alcohol and focus on doing great work.
Kiiza Dorothy, the head seamstress at St. Anne Traders, emphasized the importance of creativity and consistency in achieving success. The celebration continued with food, drinks, and merriment, as clients and workers came together to mark the company’s milestone.
