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I look back 30 years ago and

remember the frames of metal

going up in a swamp; the frames

eventually became a building andthen it became a hub for a variety

of ministries. I can only think of

God’s faithfulness. As I scan the

life of Kampala Baptist Church

through the years, I am reminded

of the story of Israel in 1 Samuel

7:7-12: 

“7  When the Philistines heard

that Israel had assembled at

Mizpah, the rulers of the

Philistines came up to attack

them. And when the Israelitesheard of it, they were afraid

because of the Philistines. 8 They

said to Samuel, ‘Do not stop cry-

ing out to the LORD our God for

us, that he may rescue us from

the hand of the Philistines.’9  Then Samuel took a suckling lamb and oered it up as a whole burnt

oering to the LORD. He cried out to the LORD on Israel's behalf, and the

LORD answered him. 10 While Samuel was sacricing the burnt oering,

the Philistines drew near to engage Israel in battle. But that day the LORD

thundered with loud thunder against the Philistines and threw them into

such a panic that they were routed before the Israelites.11

 The men of

srael rushed out of Mizpah and pursued the Philistines, slaughtering them

along the way to a point below Beth Car. 12 Then Samuel took a stone and

set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, ‘Thus

far has the LORD helped us.’” In other words, this stone marks the place

where GOD helped us. 

imagine a son in those days walking with his father asking as children

often ask; daddy what is that? I imagine daddy explaining to the son how

God delivered his people. The rock was a constant reminder to both old

and young, to those who witnessed the Lord ’s deliverance rst hand and

to the generations told of God’s great love and faithfulness to his people. 

As we approach thirty years in Nakulabye, we would like to stop, as if by

the stone of Mizpah, to look back and declare that thus far the Lord hashelped us.

f KBC was to put a stone for every act of God in its history, there would be

stones everywhere. Think of the young and old who have come to faith

through this place, the groups that have gone out from among us to start

new work in Entebbe, Nakawa, Ntinda, Hoima Road, Kyebando; think of

marriages on dierent continents that have had their beginning in this

place; the countless children that

have gone through our Sunday

schools; those impacted by the

weekly study of God’s word in

this place; people who have

walked into this place heavy

laden and their burdens have

been lifted through prayer

support, worship, counseling ,asimple word or touch from

another believer; lives that are

dierent because of the children’s interventions through the former

Catch-up school, in the Compassion funded program, the Creative Learn-

ing Center, and the list goes on. I cannot tell it all! Praise God!! 

This is why we can only look into the future with hope and condence. We

always endeavored to provide opportunities for the study of God’s word

through Bible study groups—in the last 8 years, the provision of daily

study materials, and the faithful teaching of God’s word from the pulpit.

We will continue to make this a priority of our church life.

Our geographical context in the city tells us that we must continue invest-

ing in ministry to students in the schools and the universities around us.Our national demographics demand that we continue to participate in the

value formation and protection of children. We will continue to have an

eye on the individuals that God brings in our midst so that no one is lost in

the crowd, provide opportunities for connectedness and corporate

worship in a way that is biblical, meaningful and speaks to this generation.

The future demands that we develop leaders who will expand the impact

of the church in an expanding city. 

We really have no idea what will happen tomorrow but we are condent

that God knows the future; He is here and will be here. He has entrusted

to us specic biblical mandates that will continue to drive our agenda as a

church; I know that He will lead us.

I also know that our desire is to develop individuals who are committed to

growing in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ and leading others to

the same commitment so that we can establish a biblically guided and

growing community that worships God in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Every man whose heart is connected to that pulse is a candidate for

participation in the future of KBC. Are you that man? Are you that

woman? If that is you then Rejoice, Reconnect and Rejuvenate and lets go

into the future together! 

The church

 structure was built by

only 20 people 

Pastor Andrew Mwenge 

Issue #49 - May 2016 

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1. Did the presence of Kampala Baptist

Church in Nakulabye impact the community

n any way? 

Yes it did. The local council area was named “Church Zone” because of the

presence of Kampala Baptist Church.

The church in the 1980s, just like today, acted as a meeting area for the

zone council, a polling station, and a gathering centre for activities such as

mass vaccinations and other health related activities.

After the church was established, a Compassion International aided

project for the Nakulabye community was set up. Its set up, initially, hung

n balance because the Local Council could not meet one of the conditions

set for its establishment. 250 children below the age of 12, but beyond

nursery, in need of nancial support were needed to start the project but

the Local Community could not nd that number of children and yet wefelt we needed the project. Desperate to have the Project in our

community, I, as LC1 chairman, registered children who did not meet the

registration criteria. Some of the registered children were from other

neighbouring communities while some were still in nursery school. That is

how we managed to raise the 250 children and the Nakulabye Compassion

Project was established. Among those we registered was Godfrey

Walakira; I remember him

as a very active boy. This

Project greatly impacted

the area as many children

were able to go to school

and also receive livelihoodsupport for their families

n form of food stus like

milk, posho, sugar, and

shoes, and bed sheets.

This improved, greatly,

the livelihood of the

families in Nakulabye.

KBC also supported the

HIV & AIDS patients in the area with food stus.  

ts presence also provided an alternative place of worship for the elderly

Christians who could no longer manage the walk uphill to Namirembe

Cathedral for prayers. The door to door ministry by the church memberssaw many community members join the church with some even giving

their lives to Christ. 

2. Do you have any message to the church as it celebrates 30 years of

ministry in Nakulabye? 

would like to thank Kampala Baptist Church so much for the establish-

ment and maintenance of the Compassion International aided Project

which has supported many of our children from just 250 at the start, to

about 600 children by the time I left oce.

I would also like to thank the community for supporting the existence of

the church by not breaking it down.

Lastly, I encourage the young generation in the church to run the same

race as the founders of the church by doing door -to-door ministry. It is

through such activities that the community will get to know about the

existence of the church, what it really stands for, and its dierent

programs.

1.  Why was Nakulabye

chosen as the location

of the church? 

I really do not know why the

Board of Elders at the time

chose Nakulabye. I however

suspect it was chosen to favor

the growth of the student

ministry at KBC which was the

most vibrant at the time; even

at St. John’s Ambulance—

where the church used to

congregate—the KBC ministry

majorly involved students

from Makerere University. 

2. How did you end up on the construction team?

Again, I am not entirely sure why the Board of

Elders at the time forwarded my name as one

of the people to be on the construction team.

But I suspect it had to do with my expertise in

Business Administration and Management. I

had originally been working as the Business

Administrator for the Conservative Baptist

missionaries so I think it’s them that forward-

ed my name for the role. And so I was taken

through the interview process. 

One of the things that surprised me as I went

through that process was a man called Dick

Otto. Because I had been told about him

earlier, I was hoping to nd an Acholi but

instead met a white man, a white man calledOtto.

Since there were no telephones at the time, I only found out at the next

church gathering that I had got the job. One of the reasons, I believe, that

made me successful is the fact that one morning I had walked through the

rain from Kikoni to Kololo just to be in time for my 8am interview.

3. While on the team, were you mainly in the oce or did you get your

hands dirty.

My job on the team was mainly administrative: recruiting the team,

ensuring that all supplies

were at the site in time,

and sta welfare. The

team had professionalwelders, masons,

carpenters and engi-

neers—which oered me

an opportunity to learn

and pick up many

technical skills. The Site

Church Building

Construction

James Musoke (Project Manager) 

Henry and Pastor Andrew 

A busy and hardworking James

 James Musoke

and Edward

Frobisher were

the only church

members on the

construction

team 

Henry Katumba (Area Local Council Ocial, 1986) 

The land inNakulabye—on

which the Kampala

Baptist Church

 structure was built

in 1986—was

purchased from

Mr. Kibuuka at

3million shillings 

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Engineer, Bruce Norman—one of the

expatriates, did a good job identifying these

skilled individuals. I recall Frank Mugurusi, a

talented man, who later became the Site

Foreman. With such talent around me, I learnt

many things like grinding, welding and cutting

timber. I also engaged in simple hands-on jobs

like lling in the mortar in the laid bricks. I was

also involved in cooking and serving of porridge

to the sta at the site.

4. How would you describe your experience during the construction? 

t was really fullling to know that I was working for God; I chose not to view

t as a job but as ministry and in ministry, one doesn ’t get tired.

Also knowing that there were church members who had raised their money

and would therefore require accountability kept me going.The dedication of the team, people like Eddie Luwandaga Frobisher, who

gave their all to ensure excellence of the construction was very

encouraging. 

James’ Highs

Seeing the church members especially the students from Makerere

University come to work with the team and minister to the team by

serving and cooking porridge. Some of them would get involved in the

construction: in painting, and other jobs. They freely interacted with the

team and this was really touching.

Three people on our team got saved: one of the ladies who used to cook,

the askari

(security man) at the time, and one of the welders. Every member on the team worked tirelessly and whole heartedly to see

the job done—as you know, 20 people

constructed the church in 2 years! 

Despite the fact that the church was

constructed during the war, we prayed

to God and thankfully neither were our 

containers—full of imported

construction materials—stolen nor was the site invaded.

The expatriates ate together with us which conrmed the fact that we

were one.

Despite the hard times then, we had sugar in our porridge.  

At one point we got a tax exemption which we were really glad about

since 80% of the materials used were imported.

James’ Lows

Since not all the workers were Christians, we had cases of some people

arriving late or even drunk.

One night, bullets were red over the roof and it was damaged. Wewere however relieved to know that only two bullets had gone through

the roof. We replaced the damaged iron sheet above the auditorium.

But the one outside the church, to the left of the main entrance as one

walks into church, was left there as a memorial. 

Facts about the church structure 

1. KBC building architects are the same that designed the now Serena

Conference Hall and the Sheraton Hotel.

2. The structure stands on pillars since it was built as a temporary

structure considering the church had been given a temporary building

permit. And this was because there was a ‘greater Kampala’ plan to

have a road from the Old Kampala police station to Hoima passing

through where the pulpit is.

3. The KBC structure can, pretty much, be disassembled and

re-constructed somewhere else exactly as it is. The only things that

would be lost are the blocks in the wall. 

4. The plan for the auditorium was inspired by the map of an open Bible

with the pews as the verses.  

5. Whatever was done during the construction was done with the utmost

dedication, devotion, and precision whether it was a brick laid, pillar

erected or a nail screwed, all to the glory of the Lord.  

What attracted you to KBC

back in 1986? 

I committed my life to Christ

back in 1985 in secondary

school at Makerere High.

The director of the school

then, Mr. Muhirwe, led me

and gave me permission to

attend the Bible studies run

by the Baptist Students

Ministry in Wandegeya. I

attended secondary school

students Bible study. 

At that time, however, I was

not allowed by my auntie to

attend church. When they

knew about my decision to

follow Christ, I was banned from going to church on allegation that I was

going mad. Fellowships, therefore, were my only opportunity to meet

with other believers, though, Pastor Andrew had to seek permission

from home on my behalf if I was to attend the Saturday fellowship which

used to happen once a month.

In 1986, I was completing secondary school and the church had just

moved to Nakulabye. I asked for permission to start attending church

and it was granted. And that is how I started coming to Kampala Baptist

Church.

I had already been discipled by the Baptist ministry through the

Part of the construction team after the construction  

Testimonies

Louise Namutebi Art by: Bhengie (her son) 

 James was the

first Church

 Administrator  

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The KEY RING is a monthly publication by the Kampala Baptist Church Media

Team that seeks to provide an avenue where men and women can share

knowledge and understanding of the word of God, experiences and

encourage one another as the older perform the act of ‘paralambano’ to the

younger.

Our prayer is that the Lord will speak to you through this publication.

fellowships, retreats—which I was only allowed to attend, by my auntie, if I

had a signicant role I had to play there like cooking—and so joining KBC

came naturally to me. I had been to a number of other fellowships but I felt

more comfortable at the Baptist Students’ Centre especially because of Rita

Matte who was very warm. 

1.  When did you join KBC? 

I joined in 1983. There was a

problem at St. Francis; the

ministers there had a problem

with “saved people”. They

thought that they would takeover the church. So we said,

“Fine, if you don’t want saved

people here, let’s go and pray

somewhere else.” 

2. What was your role at KBC? 

I was a Deacon. I was charged

with distribution of duties at

Church and also, at that time,

distribution of property. We got

a consignment of clothing from

overseas to distribute to needy

people within the community. I

was the chairman of the distribution committee. I also used to receive

applications from people for jobs and did some evangelical work in the

community, maybe twice or thrice. 

1. When did you join KBC? 

We joined KBC—as a family—

n 1999.

met my husband in Nairobi.

After the war in Uganda, we

decided to come back. While

n Nairobi we had been fellow-

shipping with Thika Road

Baptist Church—the church

where my husband and I met

Christ and were baptised. We

oved that church! 

We were living in Lungujja and

used to attend the rst service

at Namirembe Cathedral aswe tried to t in.

One day, as I walked past

Makerere University, I saw

Kampala Baptist Church and I was very excited. I was happy to nd a Baptist

church because though my husband is from a catholic background and I am

from an Anglican one, it is Thika Baptist that had brought us together.

So we left Namirembe and started fellowshipping with KBC till today.

And I have never regretted that decision.

2. You have taught and worked with children over the years. How did

this journey start? 

It is Ivy Otto that encouraged me to join Sunday school as a teacher,

teaching the very little ones. 

As for the nursery school, back then we had a women ’s association at

church where an idea of starting a nursery school was oated. Since I

didn’t have a job then, they told me I could become the administrator for

the school; I accepted. One teacher was recruited to teach the children. 

I however did not enjoy administration work. I was more interested in

teaching the children though I had never dreamt of being a teacher. In

fact, my dream career was to be a hostess.

I later trained as a teacher and that is how I started teaching children.  

3. What message do you have for the church as we celebrate 30 years

of ministry in Nakulabye? 

I really thank Kampala Baptist Church and its members, a lot, because it

has made me who I am today; I feel I am a part of that family in a big

way.

The church has also raised, nurtured, and led my children to Christ. So,

the church is also a big part of our family.

I thank God for the far He has brought us. The Bible study materials—I

usually carry copies for the teachers at my school and they appreciate

them and use them in their small fellowships.

I am grateful for the love we share.

Drop us an email at kbcmediateam@gmail.com Visit the church website at www.kbcuganda.org 

Hannington (far left) and James (far right) attending a

meeting with other church leaders. 

Gladys Nsubuga 

Day of Prayer 

Monday 

Tuesday 

Envisioning Breakfast 

Wednesday 

Worship Night 

Thursday 

Youth Expo 

Friday 

Thanksgiving Dinner 

Saturday 

Children’s Bash, Outreach 

& Drama 

Sunday 

Celebraon Service,

Luncheon & Concert 

The design of the church

auditorium layout was inspired

by that of an open Bible 

9-15 May, 2016 

Celebration Program

 

Hannington Taligoola