The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda and Bishop of the Diocese of Kampala, The Most Rev. Dr. Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu, has urged Christians at Kabulengwa Fellowship to remain firmly rooted in Jesus Christ, reminding them that the true strength of the Church lies not in its buildings or growing numbers but in its spiritual foundation.
Archbishop Kaziimba made the remarks during his pastoral visit to Kabulengwa Fellowship in Nansana Municipality on Sunday.
He was accompanied by the Diocesan Secretary, Rev. Canon Dr. Henry Majwala; the Archdeacon of Makerere Archdeaconry, Rev. Canon Michael Mukhwana; the Vicar of St. Stephen's Kitara Church of Uganda, Rev. Kenneth Karyeija; and the Head of Laity for Makerere Archdeaconry, Canon Frank Twine, together with his wife, Canon Christine Twine.
Drawing his message from Matthew 16:18, 1 Corinthians 3:11 and 1 Corinthians 3:16, Archbishop Kaziimba emphasized that Jesus Christ is the only foundation upon which the Church must be built.
He reminded the congregation that the Church exists to worship God, nurture believers and proclaim the Gospel to the world, urging members to remain faithful to that mission as the fellowship continues to grow.
"The Church's greatest strength is not its buildings or numbers but its foundation in Jesus Christ. As you continue to grow, remain committed to worshipping God, nurturing believers and proclaiming the Gospel, for Christ alone is the foundation upon which His Church stands," Archbishop Kaziimba said.
Recognising the changing demographics of the area, the Archbishop encouraged the fellowship's leadership to gradually introduce Luganda alongside Runyankole and Rukiga during worship so that the congregation can become more welcoming to the wider community.
Kabulengwa Fellowship was established in 2020 after churches across Uganda were closed following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
While many Christians continued worshipping through online services, the desire for physical fellowship led believers to begin meeting in people's homes under the government's COVID-19 Standard Operating Procedures.
The fellowship started with about 20 worshippers and has since grown steadily into a congregation of more than 400 members in six years, making it one of the fastest-growing worshipping communities in the Diocese of Kampala.
Led by the Priest-in-Charge, Rev. Medard Kwikiriza, the fellowship recently completed the construction of its church building on a 50-decimal piece of land in Kabulengwa and is now pursuing plans to acquire additional land and construct a residence for the resident priest.
Kabulengwa Fellowship is a daughter Church of St. Stephen's Kitara Church of Uganda, a popular Runyankole/Rukiga-speaking congregation located along Queens Way in Kampala.
According to the Chairman of the Development Committee, David Mugyenyi, the fellowship's immediate priorities include purchasing neighbouring land, constructing the resident priest's house to reduce the recurring cost of rented accommodation, paving the church compound, purchasing pews and building a stone retaining wall.
"We are now working towards the vision of expansion. Negotiations have begun with neighbouring landowners and they are willing to sell us additional land. Our other immediate priorities include paving the church compound, purchasing pews, and constructing a stone retaining wall," Mugyenyi said.
The fellowship's development plans received a major boost during the Archbishop's visit after more than Shs 80 million in cash and pledges was raised towards the ongoing construction and expansion projects.
