Children and adults who have benefited from Watoto childcare, a branch of Kampala road based Watoto Church Ministries have pointed guns at the Minister of State for Youth and Children Affairs, Florence Nakiwala Kiyingi for attempting to demonize their Pastor Gary Skinner, a man who has given them hope, a sense of belonging and a future they never have thought about during their miserable days.
This week, it is alleged Nakiwala tasked Internal Security Organisation (ISO) to start investigating some of the activities of Watoto church especially those related to children.
Media reports said that Nakiwala wants ISO to probe claims that the orphans in watoto Church fundraise millions of dollars from wealthy philanthropists in US, Canada, America and Malaysia but it is misused by the top leadership of the church. She also faults Watoto Ministries for not complying with laws governing children adoption for those who become financially vulnerable as a result of being orphaned.
According tosecurity blogger Titus Seruga, there are also allegations that government suspects that the mission might be promoting homosexuality, child trafficking and other activities not in line with govt.
Last evening, Parliament’s director of communications and public affairs Chris Obore rallied graduates and beneficiaries of Watoto Church and Watoto Childcare ministry to share testimonies of how the ministry has benefitted them so that they fight the devil that has attacked their church.
Obore said, “All the graduates/ beneficiaries of @watoto Church and Watoto Childcare ministry , please now is the time to use the power of testimony. Come help the investigators know Watoto childcare ministry. Let’s resist the devil and he will flee away. Let the world hear the testimony of what God is doing in Watoto Childcare ministry. Let the world hear the holistic approach Watoto uses to restore hope in abandoned and vulnerable children and families. Christians are truth seekers and truth tellers. Let the truth be told to the world.”
This compelled many to heed to his call.
Gad Sax Gifted Hands who testified how Watoto changed his life
A one Gad Sax Gifted Hands testified, “I was six-years-old when I came to Watoto. “Living at Watoto was paradise.”
First and foremost there was a strong, contagious sense of love and acceptance and belonging. [Before Watoto] I was always [searching] for a way to have a day’s meal and spend numerous hours in the garden. I would then go home to only have a cup of tea before going to sleep. At Watoto[Bbira] I had everything I needed. I always had plenty of food. Three meals a day. I never had to worry about school fees being paid right from grade one to university, but More so I was given a brand new family, and mama Sarah loved me just like her very own son.
I recently graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication, majoring in TV and Radio Broadcast. Mama Sarah was so proud of me and she was there to celebrate with me.
I look back over the years and then remember Mama Sarah, who dedicated her life to raising and mentoring me in the Ways of the Lord. She’s retired now though Our journey started in November 2000 until December 2017 when I finally brought her my Graduation transcript. She told me, “My son, this is reason enough to prove that I have run my race- Go into the world be Winner!”
He added, “Through Watoto God’s love has reached even the least of these women who had been scarred as a result of War, Aids, poverty… and there has been no end to these and other crises that have proven disastrous for women. Discrimination of women in Uganda is not fiction, yet the fact becomes harder to believe with every page we turn. Every story is a window on the inhumanities that women face.
Looking at faces of these ladies, as they flash on their beautiful smiles, you can never tell, that behind those smiles and the energy they use when praising God was once covered up with rejection, loneliness, and hopelessness. There was a time when they questioned their existence and wondered if God really loved them.
Behind each of their smiles, there is a powerful story to tell. One that will leave you mesmerised at how amazing our God is! God never forgets His children. He always comes out for them at the right time. He surely did show up in the lives of these women.
These ladies come to Watoto when they are rejected, bruised, and hopeless. It is a great privilege that God has called Watoto come along side them, to simply be Jesus’ hands and Feet from right where they are. ”
Rwashana Simon said, “Chris Obore, that is simple . We shall also launch a National drive that the Government run Children’s homes be investigated and shown on Television alongside those of Watoto and see if that Minister will have a job by this time next year. I think its high time the government realizes that you can not have the efficiency of a private institution in a government run institution and they should actually respect the efforts of Private actors.”
Pastor Gary Skinner with Minister Nakiwala Kiyingi recently
Despite the testimonies, some Ugandans advised Watoto to allow the audit and investigations so that the malicious rumours can be put to bed.
Gerald Wanzala Werikhe said, “That Church has done a great job in this country.Very accountable and professional in every sense and has touched lives of so many I know.”
Joe Elunya Snr said, “Investigation if carried out in the best interest of the children would be a moral right to me.”
Ivan Odiit-Onapito, “The minister was given a high profile tour of the children’s villages. She even gave a glowing tribute and thanked Pr. Skinner for the good work. I dont know where this is coming from. Maybe because the President mentioned in his address that he didnt know where the children were coming from and why they were moving around. That could have been the minister’s cue to show that she is working.”
Simon Peter Opolot Okwalinga said: My brother Chris Obore it’s only the Heavens that can tell what truly watoto church is and the deeper undergoings therein. In July 2002 a powerful Spiritual encounter revealed a lot about the dirt in that so called church. The Almighty is often not with where the majority human understanding lies… Please pray to Papa ELOIM, He shall reveal.
Emokori Nazur Etesot, “I second her. A team of my superiors from the former DOVCU project and staff from MGLSD that was meant to resettle children being kept in Child Care Institutions made interventions in several CCIs within Kampala, Jinja, Mbale, Fortportal, Kasese, Gulu, etc. The objective was to understand their source of funding, the well-being of the children (the feeding, accommodation and healthcare) Watoto never allowed us to access the children’s doms, files and didn’t allow us interact with the Children. CCIs with unclear sources of funding ie (The Minority Group) were to be recommended for closure. This left question marks. There is alot that happens inside there that needs to be investigated.”
Okello Lucima said, “Chris. Yes. Things of faith are very sensitive and elicit great passions. But I would not jump in with both feet as you seem to do, knowing what dark arts some churches and people of God have been guilty of recently. If there is suspicion, well and good, let them investigate. In the end, if Watoto is clean, the investigation will clear them of the suspicion. If it finds they broke any law, no one is above the law.”
By Sandra Mukisa
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