GWC Alumni – Uganda: Fellowship, Vision and Impact

1. Why did we meet?

Our first purpose was to renew the bonds of Christian fellowship among people who have shared a common theological formation and a concern for the Church’s mission. Psalm 133:1 says, “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” Fellowship is more than meeting socially. It gives us an opportunity to pray together, encourage one another, share the realities of ministry and learn from one another’s experience.

Many GWC graduates are serving in different places and roles. Some are new to ordained ministry and are still learning how to respond to the challenges they encounter. When ministers work in isolation, they are prone to discouragement or feel that they must face every difficulty alone. Meeting together helps us listen, offer support and grow in wisdom. As Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”

Our gathering also allowed us to consider leadership and the future of the GWC community in Uganda. We want to remain connected with those who have completed their studies, those still studying at GWC, and those who hope to pursue theological training there in the coming years. We are thankful for GWC’s contribution to preparing people for Christian service, and we pray that more Ugandans will have the opportunity to study at the College and serve the Church faithfully.

A further purpose was to consider how the gifts and learning of GWC students and alumni might help the Church respond to questions facing society. Uganda’s communities encounter many religious, social and ethical challenges. Christians, government institutions and other organisations may raise questions that require thoughtful, biblically grounded engagement. We therefore discussed the possibility of developing a Biblical Research Centre (still looking for a name, because it's founded by GWC ALUMNI), a think tank that could help the Church address contemporary issues with care, humility and faithfulness to Scripture and also formulate an online library and platforms responding to different social issues. Romans 12:2 urges believers not to be conformed to the pattern of this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of their minds. We hope our theological training will equip us to engage society thoughtfully while remaining anchored in Christ.

2. How did we meet, and how often?

Before the July gathering, some of us who studied at GWC between 2023 and 2025 had been meeting regularly at Uganda Martyrs Seminary Namugongo, usually at the end of each month. These gatherings gave us space to share how we were doing in our different ministry placements, discuss practical challenges and pray for one another.

Over time, we recognised the need to widen the fellowship beyond that group. We wanted to include alumni already serving in the field, current GWC students and prospective students preparing to apply. I therefore requested an appointment with the Archbishop of the Province of Church of Uganda (His Grace the Most Reverend Dr. Stephen Kazimba Mugalu), who has been instrumental in building a relationship between the Church of Uganda and George Whitefield College, through whom most of us got the recommendations to Join the College. He graciously gave us 1 July 2026 for the gathering at the Provincial Offices in Namirembe. His welcome and the contributions of the Church’s leaders made the occasion especially encouraging. We hope to meet again in December 2026, when alumni, current students and prospective students are more likely to be available. The fellowship includes regular gatherings for prayer, discussion and mutual encouragement, alongside visits to members serving in different ministry contexts. Our earlier monthly meetings provide a useful model; we can continue building on them while finding a rhythm that enables the wider GWC community to participate.

3. What has been the impact?

The fellowship has already helped some of us grow in confidence and understanding as we serve in new or demanding roles. We share experiences, reflect on challenges and learn from one another. A conversation about a difficult situation can help a colleague avoid repeating a mistake or respond with greater wisdom. Above all, we pray for one another and remember that ministry is shared work in Christ. Our fellowship also reaches beyond the meeting place. When a member is serving far away, we can visit them in their parish or ministry setting, meet their family, pray together and encourage them. These visits help sustain the bonds formed during our time at GWC and remind us that we belong to a wider Christian community. We are encouraged by the ways GWC alumni are serving in Uganda. Rev. Joseph Salasamba is serving as a principal of a theological college. Rev. Grace Kavuma is the Assistant Mission Coordinator in Namirembe Diocese and was selected as chairperson of the GWC Alumni – Uganda leadership. Rev. Peter Nsumba serves as the Academic Registrar at Uganda Martyrs Seminary Namugongo and was selected as vice-chairperson. Other alumni serve as parish priests and leaders responsible for several churches and congregations including Chaplains in Schools and are greatly involved in discipleship and Biblical trainings for the young and next generation is wrapped with false and cheap gospel. Thus, their work reflects the range of places where theological education can contribute to the life of the Church and the impact and growth of GWC in Uganda.

At the same time, our purpose is not to celebrate positions alone. We want to encourage one another to serve with humility, sound teaching and concern for the people entrusted to our care.

4. Gratitude

I also wish to express our sincere gratitude to the leadership, faculty and wider community of George Whitefield College for the remarkable investment they have made in our lives and ministry. The theological training, spiritual formation and encouragement we received at GWC continue to shape how we serve the Church and our communities. We are grateful for the college’s enduring partnership with the Church of Uganda, and we pray that GWC will continue equipping faithful and effective servants of Christ for generations to come.