WAKISO, Uganda – Watoto Church is targeting to raise Shs450 million this year to support 1,000 vulnerable mothers with business capital, a move aimed at helping them build sustainable livelihoods and provide for their families.
The fundraising drive will be spearheaded by the “Hope on the Green” Golf Tournament, scheduled for Saturday, August 8, 2026, at Kitante Golf Club in Kampala, followed by a special offering during all Watoto Church services on Sunday, August 9.
During Sunday’s service at Watoto Church Wakiso-Nansana Campus, held at Kavumba Recreation Centre, Campus Pastor Peter Migadde called on believers to generously support the campaign, saying that caring for vulnerable families is a practical demonstration of God’s love. “We are bringing a special offering towards caring for our vulnerable mothers. For every mother, we want to give Shs450,000 to boost her business so that she is able to take care of her children,” Pastor Migadde told the congregation.
He challenged church members to take personal responsibility for supporting the cause, encouraging cell groups and individuals to sponsor at least one mother.
“I believe, as a campus, we can support 200 mothers. We have many cells; imagine if every cell took on one mother and individuals also joined in. We can do it,” he said.
The fundraising campaign comes as Watoto Church continues its August sermon series, “Caring for the Community,” which focuses on the biblical responsibility of believers to show compassion and practical love to those in need.
Caring for the Community Begins with God’s Love
Drawing from Psalm 145:8-9, Matthew 9:36-38, 1 Corinthians 13:1-3, Galatians 5:22, Ezekiel 36:26-27, Acts 16:6-10, and Luke 10:36-37, Pastor Migadde emphasized that genuine community transformation begins with hearts transformed by God’s love.
He noted that although many people and organizations engage in charitable work, the motive behind such actions matters greatly. “There is a lot of pain around us, and many people respond to that pain. Some do it for personal gain, others for publicity, political interests, or even religious recognition. But caring for the community should be rooted in God’s love,” he said.
According to the pastor, when acts of kindness are driven by selfish motives, communities often become skeptical of assistance because they question the intentions behind the support.
Instead, he urged Christians to reflect God’s compassion by serving others without expecting anything in return.
Quoting Psalm 145, he reminded the congregation that God is “gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love,” adding that believers are called to demonstrate the same compassion to widows, orphans, vulnerable mothers, and everyone facing hardship.
Compassion That Changes Lives
Pastor Migadde said Jesus Himself demonstrated true compassion by responding to people who were “harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd,” as recorded in Matthew 9.
He challenged Christians to become the hands and feet of Christ by reaching out to hurting communities with genuine love rather than obligation.
He further cited 1 Corinthians 13, stressing that even generous giving or remarkable acts of service amount to nothing without love.
“Whatever we do, if it is not done out of love, it gains nothing before God. Love must remain the foundation of everything we do,” he said.
The pastor explained that the Holy Spirit transforms believers by replacing “hearts of stone” with “hearts of flesh,” making them sensitive to the needs of others instead of becoming indifferent to suffering.
He observed that many people become hardened after witnessing poverty and hardship for many years, but Christians are called to remain compassionate and responsive to the pain around them.
“The things that concern God should also concern us. We should have hearts that respond to the poor, the widow, the orphan, the elderly, and everyone in need,” he said.
Following God’s Direction in Community Service
Pastor Migadde also encouraged Christians to seek the leading of the Holy Spirit in serving their communities, noting that not every good opportunity is necessarily God’s assignment.
Referring to Acts 16, where the Holy Spirit redirected the Apostle Paul to Macedonia, he said believers should allow God to guide them toward the people and communities they are called to serve.
He explained that Watoto Church’s ministries, including child care and the current vulnerable mothers’ empowerment programme, were born out of prayer and God’s direction.
Generosity Requires Sacrifice
The pastor emphasized that caring for the community always involves sacrifice.
He pointed to the example of the early Church in Acts 2, where believers willingly shared their possessions so that no one lacked basic necessities.
He noted that supporting vulnerable mothers with business capital, sponsoring children, volunteering time, and offering professional skills during community outreach programmes are all examples of sacrificial generosity inspired by God’s love.
“It is not because we have so much. It is a sacrifice. The love of God compels us to give, to serve, and to care for others,” he said.
He praised volunteers who dedicate their time every week to church activities, including setting up worship venues, directing traffic, welcoming worshippers, and participating in free medical camps that serve surrounding communities.
According to Pastor Migadde, true community care goes beyond financial giving. It includes offering time, skills, compassion, and encouragement to help restore hope and dignity to those facing life’s challenges.
The Hope on the Green Golf Tournament and the subsequent special offering are expected to mobilize individuals, corporate partners, and well-wishers to contribute towards the Shs450 million target, ensuring that 1,000 vulnerable mothers receive business support that can transform their families and strengthen communities across Uganda.
