Like all Anglican Churches in Uganda, St. Paul’s Church traces its origin with carrying out Christ’s mission of preaching, teaching, healing and nurturing her people so that they may have abundant life and build an evangelistic, loving, caring, worshipping, peaceful and just community. The above attributes have led to the amazing rise of Christianity in Kyebando becoming one of the strongest Parishes with almost 1,000 members of God’s faithful to date…. “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:17.
Sowing the seed
Christianity in Kyebando roots way back to 1936 when a few Christians trekked long journeys to the neighbouring villages of Kanyanya, Mulago and Makerere for prayers. The lay reader (Omubuulizi) Sedulaki Katula from Kanyanya always came to Kyebando on Sunday evenings to lead prayers especially to the elderly community who were unable to walk the long distances. He continued with Pastoral visits until a time when he developed body weakness. On November 22, 1949, Rev. Dunstan Nsubuga as Parish Priest of Makerere assigned Omubuilizi Musa Mukasa to Kyebando to lead prayers every Sunday evening.
Church services at the courtyard (ekitawuluzi) were conducted for a short time until Omutaka Erisa provided land for a Church to be established. Omubulizi Musa Mukasa with the help of other Parishioners built the Church using mud and wattle with papyrus grass roofing and towards the end of 1950, the newly established grass thatched church was open for prayers. At the same time, Rev. Yosiya Jjemba was appointed new Parish Priest of Makerere replacing Rev. Dunstan Nsubuga who had been installed as Bishop of Namirembe.
Withstanding the test of time
In 1951, Omubulizi Musa Mukasa then delegated Omutaka Yossam Lubega with the assistance of Mr Edward Kakeeto to lead others in prayers. It was at that time when prayers began to be held on Sunday mornings instead of evenings. In 1952 Mr. Kakeeto relocated to Bulemezi and in 1955 Omutaka Yossam Lubega also left for greener pastures. This was a huge blow and set back to Rev. Yosiya Jjemba as the then Parish Priest of Makerere which was mothering the Church in Kyebando. The church by then was blown by an emptiness of no one to take lead until 1956 when Mr. Zakaliya Kawesa volunteered to take charge of the Church in Kyebando. Soon after, he also gave up due to the collapse of the grass-thatched structure of the church. In due course, Christianity in Kyebando lost the way.
In 1959 well-known teachers; Omutaka Henry Kanyike, Moses Ssenoga, Samuel Balagadde and Omutaka Erisa came up with an idea of opening up a school in Kyebando. The school started in a courtyard and was known as African High School which later came to be Kyebando Primary School and currently Kampala Hill Academy. These teachers knew very well the need of nurturing children with both moral and spiritual knowledge and as a result, a school Chaplain was available to provide spiritual support to staff and pupils. It was compulsory for pupils to come every Sunday for spiritual fostering (Church service). The presence of a Chaplain at the school was a blessing for the rest of the Christians in the area who merged membership with the school, thus awakening Christianity at Kyebando.
Bringing back life to Christianity
In 1963-1966, there was severe backsliding not until a widow known as Yuniya Lubwama came up with more thrust to breathe life into the fallen Christians encouraging them not to give up. She was always on this task with Rev. Canon Wampamba who was the Parish Priest of Makerere. On 28th May 1966, Rev. Can Wampamba sent Evangelical missionaries to Kyebando with a goal to bring hope to people through prayer, knowledge of the Bible and a relationship with God. Two of the missionaries Mr. Mashalla Fesito and Mr. Christopher Galiwango incidentally became a part of the community, formed close relationships, shared their personal spiritual testimonies and kept on reminding the people of Gods practical and spiritual ways. Even though there was no established physical structure of the Church, they were instrumental in organizing the election of the first executive committee comprising of the following;
- Mr. Christopher Kibuuka – Chairperson Laity (Mukubiriza)
- Dr. Patrick Kyazze – Treasurer (Muwanika)
- Mr. Kanakulya Erukana – Secretary (Muwandiisi)
- Muky. Kaweesa – Deputy Laity (Mubeezi wa Mukubiriza)
- Muky. Lubwama Yuniya – Assistant Treasurer (Mubeezi wa Muwanika)
- Muky. Kibuuka Keziya – Asst Secretary (Mubeezi wa Muwandiisi)
Acquisition of Land
The Church Executive’s major challenge at the time was acquiring another piece of land to put up a church after Omutaka Erisa who had earlier on donated land decided to reposses his land; claiming that it had remained unutilized for such a long time. When Muky Keziya Kanyike offered another piece of land, it was rejected by the Christians as it was occupied by squatters, and not big enough to accommodate a Church. “Nejjussa nnyo lwaki ettaka eryo tetwalikiriza, mukiseera kino lyandibadde ebimu ku bugagga bwetulinaawo” (I regret why we did not accept that piece of land; by now, it would also be part of the Church property), says Mr. Christopher Kibuuka. Mr. Ssemanda also provided land, but was also rejected, for the reason that, he had no rightful ownership of the land. Attempts to acquire a piece of land became unsuccessful not until Mw. Erukana Kanakulya finally provided the piece of land on which the present church stands to-date. “We were overwhelmed: we had no other choice other than having to convene an Executive meeting to come up with a collective resolution, minute it, and forward the minute book to the Diocese through Makerere parish, to be granted approval for construction of the Church,” says Mr. Kibuuka, adding: “Although Kanakulya had requested to individually contribute towards the Church Construction and Vicarage, it was after all the members of the Executive Committee granting permission to him to individually start construction.”
On 11th December 1968, Rev. Canon Wampamba the Parish Priest of Makerere held a ground breaking ceremony for the construction of the new church. Rev. Wampamba as Parish Priest exempted Kyebando from paying the percentage (endobolo) for one year to enable the construction exercise run smoothly. Mr. Kanakulya also went ahead to pay for the Church plan which was approved by the City Council.
In 1969 the Church opened up its first bank account at a time when many Christians were experiencing dreadful financial constraints that eventually slowed down the construction. When Kanakulya completed the roofing, he handed it over to the Church Executive to look for means of fitting it with doors, windows, plastering, altar and others, as he now embarked on construction of the Vicarage house.
In 1973, the Province of the Church of Uganda underwent a restructuring, with the formation of Kampala Diocese separate from Namirembe Diocese. The re-structuring gave birth to Kazo Parish self-governing from Makerere Parish. In the new structure, Kyebando was under Kazo Parish which also didn’t have a Parish church. This meant that Parishioners in Kyebando had to contribute both to the construction of the Parish church
Ministry under departments
The year 1975 witnessed prosperity in almost all the departments with a vibrant church choir steered by Ssalongo Christopher Nsubuga, Mothers’ union managed by Muky.Keziya Kibuuka, Youth led by Mr.Dan Ssalyanga and Sunday school guided by Muky.Jane Ssemanda who had a gift of mentoring the young souls. Muky. Ssemanda established a school at her home in 1968 until 1979 when she agreed with church leadership to move the school from her home to the Church. She contributed to both Sunday school and Mothers’ union ministries. She died on 24/05/1987 and was buried at the Church premises in acknowledgment of her diligent ministry.
In 1979 after the completion of the Vicarage, the Church had no official clergy; but Mr. Yossamu Lubega, Muky.Yuniya Lubwama, Mr.Christopher Kibuuka, Mr.Patrick Kyazze always volunteered to lead prayers in the Church up to when Bishop Dunstan Nsubuga posted Rev. Samuel Balagadde Ssekadde who was a student at Makerere University to take charge of Kyebando. As a Priest at Kyebando, he founded the Christian Women Fellowship (CWF) in 1980 which was under the leadership of Getu Nabisubi. Rev. Ssekadde set good precedence by preparing Kyebando to be elevated to a Parish.
The amazing journey to acquire a Parish
In 1983 Bishop Dunstan Nsubuga replaced Rev. Samuel Balagadde Ssekadde with Rev. G. Kayongo who was a well distinguished clergy with immeasurable experience in Church administration. During his tenure, Kyebando embarked on deliberations of becoming a Parish. However at the time when all these considerations were being made, it was revealed that the piece of land on which the Church was located had no land title.
The Church Executive members approached the ‘Namasole’ at Kanyanya who was the rightful owner of the Land to negotiate for a Land title. Surprisingly God’s work manifested through the ‘Namasole’ who granted the Land and the title free of charge!!
The years 1984-1988 saw St. Paul’s Church at its best in the entire Kazo Parish since almost all the requirements needed for a Church to be elevated to a Parish among which were the construction of the Lay readers house had been met. It was this industriousness and fine workmanship that led to the rise of St. Paul’s Church Kyebando to a Parish in 1989, taking charge of St. Peter’s Kalittunsi as its sub parish Church up to-date with the following elected Parish executive Committee;
- Rev. O. Musana (RIP) – Parish Priest
- Mr. J. Musoke Chairperson (RIP) – Laity (Mukubiriza)
- Mr. Katumba – Treasurer (Muwanika)
- Mr. J. Kaggwa (RIP) – Secretary (Muwandiisi)
- Mr. D. Ssalyanga – Chief Warden
- Mrs. E. Ssembatya – Choir master
- Mrs. K. Kibuuka -Mothers’ Union
- Nalongo Kigongo (RIP) -CWF
- Mr. Bava Frank & J. Kizito -Youth
- Mr. Christopher Kibuuka – Fathers’ Union
- Mrs. Kawuma- Representative at the Archdeacon
- Mr. J. Kaggwa (RIP) – Representative to the Diocese
- Mrs. Sserunjogi – Welfare (wabagenyi)
The birth of St. Peter’s Church Kalitunsi
The long distance walked by Parishioners to St. Paul’s; the drunkenness that had weighed down the entire area in this part of the community, inspired Rev. Samuel Balagadde Ssekadde to startup another Church in the early 1980’s: “Nzijjukira olunaku lumu, twaali tulambula Abakristaayo, nendaba abasajja nga banywa amalwa , ne ngamba bannange be nali nabo nti tukyaame, tubabuzeeko; bwebanatugaana nga tweyongerayo; Nabeyanjulira era nebatwaniriza” (One day while on pastoral work, we ran into a group of men seated drinking alcohol; I requested those in my company to visit them; in case they don’t welcome us, we proceed; I introduced myself and they gave me audience to preach to them,” says Bishop Emeritus Ssekadde in an exclusive interview. Afterwards, I revealed to the entire Executive committee that there was a need to establish a Church near the drinking joint to restore those faithful’ who were blemished in alcohol.
Peninah Nambi, who was instrumental in mobilizing the congregants says: “People used to approach me to help them have their Children baptized, because they knew that I was a frequent congregant in the area who used to go to St. Paul’s, and by that time majority of the Baptism candidates were residing from this side of the community.”
With these two attributes (distance travelled to St. Paul’s and drunkenness), Rev. Ssekadde had to devise means of locating a place for prayers. He then contacted Mr. Godfrey Kiwanuka who was a good friend to Mr. Peter Nyanzi Ssentamu the custodian to the entire piece of land which embraced the drinking joint. Mr. Nyanzi revealed to Rev. Ssekadde that the land was not his, but allowed them to temporarily use the part that had eucalyptus trees for prayers as they searched for a permanent place. Nambi adds: It was a Friday at about 1:00pm Rev. Ssekadde came to my place and told me that on Sunday, he was going to conduct a service in the eucalyptus trees; and therefore I should endeavor to mobilize people and arrange the place. I had one-day (saturday) to do this task door to door, which made people think that I had run mad, but I didn’t mind. It was Sunday 08/08/81, 2:00pm, Rev.Ssekadde arrived with a “small drum” on his back and the first service with over 30 congregants was held, thus the birth to the name “eKkanisa y’omukalittunsi” (Kalittunsi Church).
It became a routine and they always found the benches that had been used by the alcoholics the previous evening cleaned, assembled; ready for church every Sunday afternoon. The ever increasing entreating community in the “eucalyptus trees” prompted Rev. Ssekadde together with the Parish executive committee to send Dr. George William Kibuuka as a lay-person to lead prayers. Dr. Kibuuka later shifted and relocated to another place; but the idea of looking for a piece of land to construct a permanent Church structure had been considered by Rev. Ssekadde. The absence of Dr. William Kibuuka created an emptiness, and Rev. Ssekadde together with the executive agreed on Dr. Patrick Kyazze who was by then a church warden in St. Paul’s, to take lead as a Lay-person in the growing church. After two years, Ms. Agatha Naluggwa provided a piece of land (25 decimals) on which the current Church stands at a giveaway price, but later Mr. Ssebwavu (Land owner) sold the remaining portion to the Church. The first church structure was put in place with Papyrus reeds “Biwempe” as efforts of building a permanent structure were underway. The following members volunteered to serve as executive members in the early years: Abakubiriza (Ms. Peninah Nambi, Mr. Ziwa James, Mr. Bukenya Joash); Secretary (Mr. John Kayiwa, Mr. Kakeeto); Treasurers (Mrs. J.B Lubega Nalongo, Ms. Mary Waibale, Mr. Samuel Kyeyune); Choirmasters (Ssalongo Andrew Miiro, Mr. Joseph Kasadah, Mr. Charles Bannada); Chief warden Mr. Godfrey Kiwanuka, and many others. A foundation stone was laid and Kalitunsi Church was officially commissioned on 25th/04/1993 by Bishop Misaeri Kawuma.
The Church God has built:
In the late 1990s, the roofing of St. Paul’s Church had started to loosen up; whenever it heavily rained, the winds would blow them off which always prompted Eng. Ssenfuma to fix them. When Rev. Mukiibi was posted the new Parish Priest, effectively immediately he embarked on Pastoral visits, and while on one to Eng. Ssenfuma, who welcomed him jokingly saying: “Ssebo Omusumba, bakutumye mu Busumba obulina eKkanisa evaako amabaati ng’enkuba etonnye, onowereeza otya mu Kkanisa egenda okugwa?” (Dear Reverend, you have been posted to a Church that has its roofs blown off whenever it rains, how are you going to minister in such a dilapidated Church?) Rev. Mukiibi and the Executive committee sought it cautious that the lives’ and safety of the Parishioners’ were in great danger for anytime the Church would collapse. It is from this time forward that the idea for building a new Church was conceived; fundraising, drawing of Architectural plan, and consultations commenced. One of the main challenges for the construction was its site, which was raised on a hill. The initial architect who was Eng. Ssenfuma pledged and fully honored to draw the latest church plan borrowed from England with a basement to be utilized. Around that time, Local government through Plan International Uganda were searching for land to build a community school project. Rev. Mukiibi and the Executive were also instrumental in bringing this project on board, with the help of the Diocesse, plans were drawn; approved, and this gave birth to St. Paul’s Primary school in 2002 as a government-aided school under the Church of Uganda foundation.
It’s about that time when Rev. H.P Kabanda Nyanzi was a Deacon attached to Kyebando Parish, but mostly serving in St. Peter’s Kalittunsi and upon completion of his studies a few months prior, he was posted a fully-fledged Parish Priest in 2001 replacing Rev. D.T. Bombo. The funds had been mobilized by the building committee Chaired by Mr. Kibuuka; with the membership of Prof. John Kaboggoza, Mr. John Musoke, Mrs. Harriet Ndoboli, Prof. David Mutetikka, Mr. Samuel Lwanga(RIP), Mr. John Mukasa (RIP), Eng. Kiwanuka Katende, Mr. Napuuma, and others. It is during the tenure of Rev. Kabanda in 2003 when actual construction of the Church started. The Committee contracted Halco Technical Services whose expertise ensured that the building project was delivered within projected costs, though there were delays, due to loss of value of the shilling between the period June 2002-March 2003. Eventually construction begun with the basement; the old church was demolished, to pave way for the construction of the main Church; services started to be held in the basement hall. Mr. Kibuuka’s tenure as St. Paul’s head of Laity ended and Prof. Kaboggoza was elected for two consecutive terms from 2006-2013.
In 2006 Rev. Eriya Kawooya replaced Rev. Kabanda at a time when the Church was at the roofing stage. It is during the tenure of Rev. Kawooya that roofing of the Church was completed.