The First Lady and Minister of Education, Janet K. Museveni, praised Watoto Church for its significant contributions to Uganda over the past forty years.
Speaking at the church’s 40th-anniversary celebrations at Kololo Independence Grounds, the First Lady highlighted the church’s dedication to caring for fatherless children through Watoto Childcare Ministries, reflecting true religion as described in James 1:27. She emphasized the church’s role in mentoring and equipping vulnerable individuals to become responsible citizens with integrity and character.
“Thank you, Watoto, for your commitment over the years. As James 1:27 teaches us, ‘Religion that God our Father accepts as pure is to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world,'” she remarked.
The First Lady also commended Watoto Church for empowering over 6,500 poor and vulnerable women with vocational and entrepreneurial skills, thereby improving their lives and the lives of the children and orphans they care for.
Former Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Rev. Bishop Henry Luke Orombi, served as the guest preacher for the anniversary. He lauded the church’s founders, Gary and Marilyn Skinner, for their exemplary leadership and peaceful transition to the next generation of leaders, emphasizing the possibility of peaceful power transfers in Uganda.
“Uganda is learning that it is possible to have a peaceful transition from one leader to the next. You (Gary and Marilyn Skinner) have stepped aside peacefully to allow this young, dynamic pastor and his wife to take over. This is a miracle of the 21st century,” Orombi said.
Gary Skinner, the founder of Watoto Church, addressed the congregation with optimism about the future, stating, “For the last forty years, we have served the young people of Uganda with the vision that an ordinary young person surrendering to an extraordinary God can achieve extraordinary things for the kingdom of God.”
Julius Rwotlonyo, Watoto Church’s Team Leader, expressed gratitude for the church’s journey and the blessing of celebrating forty years with its founders present. He acknowledged the support of global friends who have contributed to the church’s success.
Founded in 1984 by Canadian missionaries Gary and Marilyn Skinner, Watoto Church (formerly Kampala Pentecostal Church) started with 75 congregants and has grown to over 35,000 members across 17 campuses. The church has made a significant impact on Uganda’s spiritual and socio-economic development by caring for nearly 6,000 orphaned and vulnerable children, rescuing babies and former child soldiers, and empowering more than 6,500 vulnerable women to lead dignified, sustainable lives.
