KIBUYE @ ONE
At the peak of evangelistic campaigns in the Central Uganda Conference, the Najjanankumbi Seventh-day Adventist Church extended its outreach to the bustling area of Kibuye. This vibrant crossroads teems with hundreds of people daily, surrounded by neighboring markets, local bars, and furniture workshops—all nestled along the remnants of a dilapidated former railway line. The preaching site itself remains a gritty, slum-like residential zone, where homes are dotted amid poorly drained, foul-smelling channels choked with blackened silt runoff from upstream communities.
This neighborhood, dotted with aging buildings from the 1970s that often partially submerge during flash floods, is home to a diverse population—primarily Ugandans, Kenyans, and a significant number of Congolese refugees who fled to Uganda for safety. Swahili serves as the predominant lingua franca, bridging cultural divides.
Through prayers, extensive consultations, and securing necessary permissions from local government authorities and law enforcement, the evangelistic initiative dubbed “Hope for Kibuye” was launched. It began with hands-on community service: clearing silted water channels, conducting thorough cleanups, and implementing effective waste disposal systems to enhance public health and well-being.
In a modest community space spanning less than an acre, towering tents and a sturdy platform were erected, with speakers mounted on the stage frames to ensure every attendee could hear the divine messages. Over 14 transformative days, Pastor Kulumba Godfrey—the Associate Pastor of Najjanankumbi Seventh-day Adventist Church—delivered powerful sermons, supported by the young translator Esthete for Swahili interpretations and Co-Preacher Brother Samson Kisekka. During these sessions, the usual clamor of mini karaoke setups and chatter over pots of local brew (“Malwa”) fell silent, resuming only after the final prayer.
Through dedicated teamwork and fellowship in God’s grace, the Christian volunteers extended love to the Kibuye community. They distributed clothing in an open-air market, served warm cups of porridge each evening, and provided essential groceries to needy households attending the campaign.
We praise God that, one year later, Kibuye has blossomed into a thriving Sabbath school with a steadfast congregation of 30 retained converts following their baptism. They gather weekly in a well-organized rented space at a nearby school to observe the seventh-day Sabbath—a sacred rest after six days of labor. Plans are advancing to acquire land for a permanent church.
We warmly invite you to visit us, pray for us, and support Kibuye from the abundance of blessings God has entrusted to you. Amen.
