Uganda 2026

We give all the glory to the Lord for the freedom and healing that many people received during our mission to Uganda. The UK team arrived safely back to the UK on Saturday morning, and our South Sudanese brothers, Rev Joel and Rev Simaya, returned to spend some time with their families in refugee camps in Uganda, before returning to their Diocesan work in South Sudan. Simaya had the joy of seeing his new son, who was born during the mission.
Following a day of preparation and intercession in Entebbe, we arrived at the YWAM base and began a 5-day workshop with 17 YWAM DTS students and 6 staff. They came from Sudan, South Sudan, DRC, Rwanda and Uganda, many of whom have been living in refugee camps. They had 3 days of teaching and almost 2 days of small group ministry. A few were reluctant to open up about their individual struggles, but by the second day, almost everyone received ministry for some deep personal issues.

YWAM Testimonies (3 men then 2 women)

• Ma - I forgave my parents for abandoning me. Now I feel free. I have peace and joy in my heart.
• Mo - I thought I had already forgiven people. I went for the Father's hug and something happened in my mind. I realised I didn't receive a hug from my own father and I had to forgive him. My friends don't know my issues but I was able to open up when the team prayed for me and I slept well and have total peace today.
• A - I didn't realise that I had to forgive myself. Forgiveness is very important. Especially for us from another religion where we don't have forgiveness, only revenge.
• R - I am so happy and very grateful. There was something in my life I was looking healing, but I didn't know how. God showed me it was the very beginning of my life. Now I feel very free.
• H - My heart was like a stone, I couldn't sleep. When we nailed forgiveness to the cross, I started to feel something again, but there was heat and pain. Again, I couldn't sleep. In small groups I repented and forgave and that thing left. My body is clean; I can now sleep normally.

Several of these young people had suffered from poor or absent parenting and were particularly touched by the Father's heart teaching and hugs. One had lived much of his life as a street child. The Forgiveness teaching was also really significant for many. These students headed off for the second half of their course on 2nd May – they will be running outreach programmes in different locations within Uganda and DRC. Many have long term plans to use what they've learned within their own communities in their country of origin and/or in refugee camps for their people. One Sudanese man was going to try and translate our notes into Arabic, but we were able to provide him with these, having previously had them translated.  

Group photo of YWAM

On the Sunday, we split into pairs, going to 3 South Sudanese churches in the town. In total we preached Forgiveness or Accident and Trauma to 210 adults plus some children, and about 100 came forward for prayer. The wife of one church leader was healed of long term pain in her shoulders and back, related to trauma. We were very well received by the congregation, and all 3 church leaders were very keen to hear more of our teaching, inviting us to visit again in the future.

During the second week, we travelled into a large, longstanding refugee camp for 4 days.
We had invited 44 people from 36 different churches within the refugee camp, however, 53 turned up on the first day, and many of them went back home telling others how good the teaching was, so we had a total of 77 people who attended at least 1 day. It was a joy to see male and female church leaders and youth leaders from so many denominations, including Anglican, Baptist, Pentecostal, Methodist, Catholic and several different independent churches.

It was especially exciting that we had 8 people from the Nuer tribe join the conference. Joel has been trying to include this tribe in training for some time, but previous contacts hadn't been prepared to join training alongside other tribes with whom relationships are strained. The Nuer church leader was very impressed with the teaching and has invited us to go to his church on a return visit. All the delegates were very attentive and responded at every invitation to come forward.

Poverty, hopelessness, and family and community relationships seemed to be the key issues for people living in the camp. There have been severe cuts to aid, and the people are struggling to grow sufficient food to feed their families on the rocky ground they've been given by the Ugandan government. We saw many children working in the fields, carrying large loads of food or water, and some very young ones crouching along the roadside collecting ants for food.

Unity Drama Photo

Refugee Camp Testimonies (2 men and 5 women)

• Rev Moses - Tomorrow Omugo will not be the same as old Omugo. We must not pick up the things in the past.
• R - Had physical problems in his stomach, chest and back. For the last 2 days he had good sleep. He dreamt of a person in white saying "you are healed".
• H - had been limping since October last year but she was healed, proving it by dancing and jumping around vigorously. She became so joyful and looked totally different than the beginning of the week.
• G - Arguments with husband stopped after teaching about forgiveness.
• A - I saw the invitation to this conference and I wanted to come. The topics we are teaching are exactly what is happening in families. She has released her burdens on the stone (at the cross) I have a pure heart, now on heavenly things
• J - I am filled with joy. I had deep sleep last night.
• A - For over a month I had a problem, my heart was broken. As I put the stone (representing her emotions) at the foot of the cross, the burden was lifted. Normally I cannot sleep but yesterday I slept peacefully.

We believe many lives were touched, at least 25 were able to sleep much better, and many were very enthusiastic about using what they have learned to bring freedom to others. Please pray that the fruit of this mission will continue to grow.

Thank you for all your prayers and words shared, including one scripture (Is 55:11) that was shared 3 times on the same day – the Lord was clearly bringing us encouragement.

….. so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. Is 55:11