As the clock struck midnight on New Year’s Eve, a sea of faithful believers gathered at Kabaka’s Lake in Ndeeba, their prayers piercing the cool night air. But the joyous occasion was tinged with a sense of loss. This was the first time in years that Bishop Joseph Sserwadda’s famed Passover festival was not held at Namboole Stadium—a cherished tradition denied by a last-minute decision from the Ministry of Sports. Amid the vibrant hymns and hopeful prayers, a bold new vision was born: a stadium of their own, built not on borrowed time but on the rock of self-reliance.
The setback came as a shock to many. Just days before the festival, the organizing committee was denied access to the stadium, leaving thousands of believers scrambling for an alternative venue. Undeterred, the leadership of Victory Church Ndeeba found solace and space at Kabaka’s Lake, where over four acres of land were transformed into a sanctuary of worship. Addressing the crowd, Bishop Sserwadda said, “They may deny us access to their stadiums, but they cannot deny us access to God. This is the time to rise and build a sanctuary of our own.”
During the service, Bishop Sserwadda officially announced the church’s decision to construct a dedicated prayer stadium. Describing it as a “house of God for all Born-Agains,” he emphasized that this facility would be open for prayers, concerts, and crusades. Over 100 million shillings were raised during the Christmas service as a commitment to show the congregation’s readiness to construct their own stadium. In today’s end-of-year service, more than ten believers pledged 1,000 dollars each, while one believer streaming live from the USA pledged 2,000 dollars to help kickstart the project. “A wise man builds his house on the rock, and this stadium shall stand as a fortress of worship for generations to come,” declared the bishop.
With passion and anticipation, Sserwadda shared his vision for the future: “I just can’t think of the day when I will invite any minister of sports who will be in service during that time—not only the minister but also the president who will be in service on the inaugural day of that project. I wait for that day,” he roared. The bishop’s sermon, rooted in Ezekiel 12:21, carried a prophetic message: 2025 will herald a fundamental change for Uganda. Whether these changes will be spiritual, social, or political remains to be seen. Yet, the unwavering faith of the Victory Church congregation and their resolve to overcome challenges speaks volumes about their spirit. As the sun rose over Kabaka’s Lake, it was clear that this was more than a Passover celebration—it was the dawn of a new chapter in Uganda’s religious history.
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