Long known as “The Pearl of Africa,” Uganda is a temperate and fertile country that borders Lake Victoria. But this country of almost 35 million people suffers from a devastating history of disease, tyranny, corruption and wars that has left the majority of people in deep poverty (38% live on less than $1.25 a day) and kept Uganda among the poorest nations in the world.

As is the case throughout Central Africa, 85% of the population claims to be Christian, with almost half of those identifying as Evangelical. However, a culture of promiscuity and the widespread practice of polygamy exposes a faith that has not taken root in the lives of the majority of churchgoers.

ITEM’s work in Uganda started informally in 1999 and formally with the launch of the ministry in 2003. Over 20 years, an excellent team has been identified and trained. They display incredible maturity and are committed to ITEM’s distinctives. Pastor Hillary Wafula (ITEM Coordinator) has done an excellent job of long-range planning, including holding seminars and mentoring. Pray that the team will continue moving ahead under Hillary’s leadership and become a model for other African teams to follow.