Historical background.
The idea of starting the Lutheran church in Uganda was initiated in 1993 by five lay people including Mr. Nattema David, Mr.Balidawa Henry, Mr. Karamau Joshwa (RIP), Ms Byakutaga Jane (RIP) and Ms. Muyambe Persis (RIP). They were later joined by other people namely; Ms. Nazziwa Jane, Mr. Kibumba Henry, and Mr. Bameka Isabirye Charles who is now the presiding Bishop of the Lutheran Church of Uganda.
These three men and two women after making two visits to Kenya in the early 1993, first invited the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenya. When the officials of the Kenyan Church visited in April 1993, they recommended the establishment of Lutheran Church along the Kenya – Uganda Boarders for easy Mission work by the pastors serving near the boarders on the Kenya side. The recommendation was never bought.
Later, Mr David Nattema came into contact with Ghanaian Lutheran students at Day Star University in Kenya, Rev Isaaka Gyampandu coming from Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ghana (ELCG). Rev Gyampandu having talked to his Bishop Rt Rev Dr Paul Kofi Fynm, about the possibility of starting a Lutheran Mission field in Uganda, was sent by his him Church body, ELCG in July 1993 to assess the viability of establishing ta Lutheran ministry in Uganda.
After making a report to his church, he returned to prepare ground for the visit of his Bishop which took place in Feb 1994.
In Sep 1994, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ghana sent two pioneers Lutheran Missionaries; Rev Isaac Gyampandu and Evangelist John Donkoh to begin the process of having a Lutheran Mission established in Uganda.
In 1994, the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, working in partnership with Evangelical Lutheran church of Ghana sent a delegation of officials including Rev Alan Burkam, Rev Robert Ruegner, Rev Robert Matson, to Uganda to start a Lutheran ministry.
Consequently, the first Lutheran worship service was conducted at Jinja Police Officers’ Mess on Reformation Sunday on 30th, Oct 1994 with Rev Isaac Gyampaddu preaching and missionary John Donkoh conducting the worship service.
The Lutheran Church in Uganda therefor started under the mentorship of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ghana working with the partnership with LCMs, United States of America.
