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Local Broad casting center

The Bible Society of Uganda was glad to receive a report from one of the members in our community by the names of Beleth

As a young woman she has longed to share the Gospel with the non believers in her community but most of the people where she lives are enclosed in fences and work up to very late in the night and those present are not ready to give audience.

One day as she was praying, the Lord spoke to her about the local broadcasting center in her area, if they could make announcements for those who have lost property, relatives and friends, then they could also do it for her.

So, the first idea was to use audio CDs which she bought  but they got spoilt with in a week. She resolved to share this with a pastor friend of hers who accepted to lend his church’s proclaimer that is recorded in luganda. For this service she was paying 20,000UgShs. per month and it was able to run for four months and people in the community gave a positive feedback of how they had been blessed.

Unfortunately after the four months, she received a report from the center that the proclaimer was faulty and therefore needed to be repaired. She and past brought it back to Bible House so that it can be repaired.

Beleth has continued to identified other sites where this service can be done and she has so far identified 5 sites namely: .Bayita ababiri, Nakiwogo Kitooro, Busambaga, Muno and kigunga landing site.

This broadcast can cover 0.5 to 1km with the population of around 1000 people in each of those areas

Her Vision is that every family hears the Gospel irrespective of their Religious background, social status, cultural belief and Geographical locations.

She has continued to work with the Bible Society of Uganda to ensure fulfillment of her vision. She believes that many more Ugandans can be reached through this channel.

Special thanks to our donors who made this a reality to many who cannot read.

“He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation”. Mathew 16:15 NIV

A visualy Impaired pupil of CHAIN Foundation playing a guitar during the symposium

On the 1^st of October 2011 the Bible Society of Uganda hosted People with Visual Impairment (PWVI), members of Bible Society and well wishers to a Bible Symposium for PWVI and their friends. This function took place at Bible House premises which houses the offices of the Bible Society of Uganda with the theme “GOD’S WORD, OUR VICTORY NOW AND FOREVER.”

This symposium which has become an annual event was our second celebration to showcase the resources available for meeting the Scriptural needs of Persons with Visual Impairment and to encourage the general public to show practical charity to the persons with visual challenges.

It was an eventful that started at 9:00am with different organizations that were invited registering in and setting up their exhibition stalls. Thereafter other invited guests strolled in as the day started with general interaction with the exhibiters and information sharing which also included buying items ranging from clothes, art crafts among others. The arrangement of stalls presented a colorful view and the people who were smartly dressed added to the beauty as they interacted with them.

Part of the activities of the day from 10am – 12pm was Bible quiz and interaction with pupils and students with visual disability. It was fun seeing them answer questions and compete among themselves because CHAIN Foundation, Salama School for the Blind and Iganga Girls School were represented. Together with them were our brothers from the Silent Church who had sign interpreters to help them participate in the discussions.

As the morning progressed we had other guest coming in and they were hosted in the Bible House shade where they also had an interaction with Justus our staff who talked about Bible Society Vision and Mission.

This time round we had two guest speakers from Kenya and Namibia in the persons of Mr. Reuben Kigame and Rev. Conradie Lynita respectively. The former being a Radio owner, presenter and Politician, the latter being a Methodist minister and lawyer are both Visually Impaired were able to give inspirational talks around the areas of supporting the provision of Scriptures to the persons with Visual Impairment.

They centered their talks in support of giving equal opportunities to PWVI too so that they can appreciate God’s Love and serve Him. We also had auctioning of two white canes, stencil and stylus to raise funds towards supporting Scriptures for the people with visual Impairment. The event was crowned by the cutting of cake.

By Emmanuel Turinawe, Providing Scriptures for People with Visual Disability (PVD) Project Coordinator

Lusenke C.O.U Ley Readers (in pink shirt) helps to coordinate the participation of the listening group members.

+       For the first time FCBH was launched on one of the Christian Radios run by The Central Uganda conference of the SDA Church. A portion of Scriptures are listened to, after which callers are given the telephone numbers to use when calling to participate in the program. After sometime the guests and hosts in the program participate in the sharing. One caller David Kimera did not know that the bible can also talk. He appreciates the initiative that made this possible.

+       Bbira Brian of Search Light of God testifies that the word of God through this program has helped him to reconcile with his Father. Before his involvement in the program, he used to be unruly and disrespectful towards his parents. In addition the knowledge from God’s Word has helped him to know how to preach.

+       Talemwa Robinah has learnt to live at peace with her colleagues, forgiveness and to control her anger. She used to be impatient towards the brethren in the church i.e. Search Light of God.

+       Patrick Kyakonyi a member of Nangunga listening group testifies that through FCBH program he is able to quote the word of God and preach. He is unable to read but depends on listening to the audio program and is grateful so much to the Bible Society of Uganda for this program.

+       Search Light of God Church has noted an increase in baptism candidates since the program started in the Church. 20 People were baptized in the month of February 2009.

+       Through FCBH program, Andrew Mukasa and David Bunya (Heads of families) led their family members in getting converted to Christianity. This happened in Mafunkwe C.O.U in Luwero Diocese.

+       In Kiwumpa Listening group two couples ceremonised their marriages after a long time of staying together in a family way. These are Mr & Mrs Kigozi and Mr & Mrs Lumu. It is through listening to the Word of God in the FCBH program that they were convicted to ceremonise their marriage.

+       In Bunyenye C.O.U the program has revived the attendance of young people in the Church. FCBH has attracted them to love the word of God and this has been evidenced in their participation in church activities and meetings.

+       Jennifer of Bunyenye C.O.U was stopped from studying by her parents for no apparent reason. She joined the listening group in this church and was encouraged by 1^st Timothy 4:12 to respect her parents and to set a good example. When she went back home after praying to God, she was restored back to school by her parents.

+       One lady from St. Mary Theresa listening group in Ndeeba Parish thanked God for the conversion of Apostle Paul. This lady prior to the listening of Acts 9 used to criticize the Christians who used to attend the daily Masses at the Church. She dismissed them as pretenders. Through this program she is encouraged to participate. Actually she now attends mass from Monday to Sunday.

+       The married couples in St. Anthony in Nalukolongo a Kampala suburb have been encouraged to be faithful to their marriage vows because of the encouragement of the scriptures.

+       In charity listening group one of the group members and a child testified that before being introduced to the program, he disliked reading the bible because it was hard to understand hence boring. Since then his desire to posses and read the Word of God has been ignited; he now owns a bible from which he reads while alone.

+       Mrs Habalivera Sylvia testifies that participating in FCBH has enabled her to make time for God to listen to His word. She is a busy working woman yet she desires to read the Word of God.

+       During the lent period, church attendance increased. This opened up opportunities for some members who prior to the lent period were not participating in the program. This has ushered them into a time of personal reflection and meditation of God’s Word through FCBH program.

The Karimojongs matching in celebration of the arrival of the Word of God in their region in a langua they too can read and understand, their own

Wednesday 13^th April, 2011, was a moment of joy for The Bible Society of Uganda and a day to remember for the Karimojong as they launched their first Bible at ComboniPrimary  School in Kotido. The function started with prayers and a reflection at Kotido Anglican church, from there a procession led by the Ŋakarimojoŋ Bible dummy and the joint choir ( Catholic and Anglican) went through Kotido town with a stopover at the round about where a second reading and short sermon was taken by Msgr Philip Lokel (catholic). The next phase of the reading and short sermon in the procession was at the premises of the Pentecostal Assemblies of God (PAG) until the procession reached the gate of Comboni Primary school where prayers and sermon were offered before proceeding to the venue.

With the launch of the Ng’aKarimajong Bible the Karimojong are able to hear God speaking in their mother tongue. “The Karimojong have leant the ways of God with the launch of this Bible” said Fr Daniel Nabuya the MC of the function. This Bible will be used as a foundation stone to build their society. The Bible arrived at the right time after the government had disarmed these pastoral people that were previously using the guns to raid their neighbours. The Bible is the best weapon these people have received for protection. “Use the Bible to disarm the devil” said Ms. Grace Oyugi, the chairperson Kotido District. The word of God in their mother tongue will help the people to internalize the message of God for this region.

The Ng’aKarimajong Bible, whose translation work by the Bible Society of Uganda started in 1986, was launched at a colourful ceremony attended by Christians of the different denominations led by the Archbishop of Church of Uganda, His Grace Luke Orombi (Anglican), the Archbishop of Northern Uganda, His Grace John Baptist Odama (catholic), Bishops, priests and Pastors from the Karamoja region at Comboni Primary School in Kotido District.

In his sermon, Archbishop Orombi said the translated Bible which the Karimajong can read and understand would open their eyes and they would start walking and working together as brothers and sisters to ensure peace in their region. He said that the word of God in the heart of a believer,  is like rain to the soil and salt to sauce, and is the greatest resource which God would use to release the people of Karamoja from their life of poverty, famine, disease, illiteracy and insecurity.

He urged the Karimojong to have faith in God because His power is greater than the power of the gun and called upon them to use the Bible to transform their attitudes and lives.

The chief guest, the First Lady and Minister of State for Karamoja Affairs, Janet Museveni, represented by the State Minister for Disaster Preparedness Musa Ecweru, urged the Karimajong to use the Bible as their guide to serve the Lord obediently so as to inherit His blessings, saying that as they embrace the word of God, it will bring light wherever there has been darkness, enlightenment and the ability to embrace change, develop and prosper.

She said her vision and prayer for Karamoja is that of a blessed land that receives rain in season, where people eat and are full; and where the fruits of the land, the womb and increase of the cattle are all blessed.
She urged the Karimajong to search for the Living God and trust in him as their guide on their road to development. The First Lady asked the bishops, church leaders and all Christians to pray for plenty of rainfall to enable food production which is a big problem in the region.

The General Secretary of the Bible Society of Uganda, Mr. Simon Peter Mukhama, appreciated a number of Organizations and people who contributed to successful launch of this Bible. He informed the people present that it would have been very hard for Bible society of Uganda to subsidize this Bible had it not been the generous hearts of different people. He further requested the Government to waive the taxes on the audio bibles (Proclaimers) that are intended to help Christians access the word of God in audio format. He called upon people of good will to partner with Bible Society of Uganda in the area of Literacy in Karamoja and to ensure that the current school curriculum facilitates reading in the mother tongues so that the Ng’aKarimajong Bible can be read by both today’s and the upcoming generations.

The launch activities included a procession through town led by a joint choir starting from the Anglican Church in Kotido, Kotido round about, PAG premises and the rest of the ceremony took place at the catholic foundedComboni Primary School with prayers of adoration, supplication, liberation, forgiveness, unity, peace and spiritual awakening at various points, worship and dedication ceremonies and handing over bibles and certificates to various people, among whom was a Karimojong elder. The function concluded with sharing a cake and Lunch symbolizing how the people should share God’s word in their communities

UBS General Secretary Michael Perreau is recieved at the Bible House

The Bible Society of Uganda was glad to host the General Secretary of the United Bible Societies Fellowship, Michael Perreau between 30^th November to 4^th December 2011.

He was warmly received on 30th November at Bible House. He visited every department and thereafter was able to meet the Board of Governors of the Bible Society of Uganda.

The staff had lunch with him and had an interaction in the afternoon where he was able to listen to the different presentations from every department thus understanding the operations of our society.

This was a wonderful experience for the staff too as we were able to learn more from him and we thank the Lord for this great opportunity. By the time Micheal arrived we were in the middle of celebrating the Bible Week and he was able to attend the celebrations of the song night which was held at Serena Hotel.

We are glad you thought about us Michael. We look towards to seeing more often in Uganda.

Thank you and May God bless you.

“They gave an oral translation of God’s Law and explained it so that the people could understand it.  When the people heard what the Law required, they were so moved that they began to cry. So Nehemiah, who was the governor, Ezra, the priest and scholar of the Law, and the Levites who were explaining the Law told all the people, “This day is holy to the LORD your God, so you are not to mourn or cry. Now go home and have a feast.” Nehemiah 8:8, 9 & 10a (GNB)

In our course of serving God, we sometimes experience events that are closely related to some events recorded in the Bible; perhaps, rarely do we take note. On Sunday 31^st July 2011 the portion of Scripture in Nehemiah 8:1-10 nearly came real at Masafu Old Saza ground in the Uganda-Kenya boarder district of Busia, the home of Basamia-Bagwe during the launch of the first ever New Testament in the heart language. The translation of God’s Word into Lusamia Lugwe embarking to the Old Testament, the Church in the area to new horizons if the New Testament is given due attention. When people first received news of the launch, they were glad; no wonder, many turned up for the launch in huge numbers. The “Governors”, “Priests”, “Scholars of the Law”, and “Levites” were all in attendance. What more! They were so moved indeed; though I don’t recall having seen any crying as was the case in Nehemiah’s story, passionate emotions of expectant people could not be hidden “Mwiiche husangaalire emboosi ya Nasae” meaning “Come and let us enjoy the Word of God” was the phrase commonly used to promote the launch. An estimated 2,000 people from all Bible believing Churches in the area turned up for the event.

Leaders embrace the New Testament   

Most leaders from the area attended the function and were happy to witness the historical occasion of their very own first ever New Testament. Hon. Justice James Ogoola, a highly regarded citizen and born of the area was the guest of honour. Justice Ogoola a former Principal Judge of the High Court of Uganda castigated the practice of just acquiring Bibles by encouraging people to read and use the Bible in their daily lives. “We need to live our lives in accordance with the Word of God” Ogoola concluded. He pledged support to at least 100 people to become members of the Bible Society, and pledged to offer land.

The Member of Parliament for Samia Bugwe, Hon. Julius Maganda, who bought and donated 60 New Testaments, was among the political leaders. He promised to donate more Bibles to the Church Leaders in the area. Others included the Busia District Chairperson.

All Churches cheerfully came together

Rt. Rev. Dr. Nichodemus Okille, Bishop of Bukedi diocese was the guest speaker/preacher. Dr. Okille took the rejoicing crowd into a bit of “more attention” as many composed themselves to catch up with every single of selected words of a man known by many as a great speaker. Speaking on the topic “The Bible the Great Book”, Bishop Okille concluded in part “This day, the word of God has been brought to the people of Samia Bugwe; which, word God shall use to judge or reward those who shall believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour and punishment (hell) for those who shall not believe. His Grace Archibishop Kiwanuka of the Archdiocese of Tororo was represented by Fr. Obonyo of St. Jude Busia Town. He led the prayer of dedication. Bishop James Ntezimana, Bishop Silas Kenyi and Ps. Buyungo all from the Pentecostal Churches were among the other Church leaders present. Ven. Martin Luther Ofwono who chaired the organizing committee was heard saying “This has been a great success, yet we virtually had no ample time to prepare.”

The Actual Launch

On receipt of the copies of the New Testament from the two translators; Okambo and Odaro, the General Secretary Simon Peter Mukhama thanked God. The Church then requested for the Testaments; “On behalf of the Churches in Samia – Bugwe, “I wish to request the Bible Society of Uganda to give us the New Testament in Lusamia – Lugwe for use in Instruction, evangelism and discipleship” said the Rev. George Okror on behalf of all Church leaders. There was a joyful shout when Simon Peter replied “Your request has been granted in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit”. The launch then followed and two copies were handed to elders from the community.

The Distribution

Every copy of the New Testament in Lusamia – Lugwe was distributed at a subsidized price of 6,500/- More than 800 copies were sold on the very day of the launch.

Kenya Joins Uganda

The Bible Society of Kenya (BSK) was represented by Zone Operations Manager Western, Mr. Dalmas Oleko. He conveyed a message to the BSU and pledged support especially in distribution. He asked BSU to consider sending a good number of copies to western Kenya since the language is shared across the two boarders.

By Emmanuel Turinawe, FCBH Project Cordinator

On 2^nd October 2010 the Bible Society of Uganda hosted the first of its kind Friends of Persons With Visual Impairment (PWVI) Symposium at Bible House. The day’s theme was “God’s Word our Guide and Light” and the aim was “to fundraise for Scriptures for persons with visual disability and to encourage our Bible Society members and general public to show practical charity to people with visual challenges.” An exhibition by various groups working with the PVD community was the attraction for the morning, while the afternoon was devoted to the symposium.

Students from Iganga School for the blind, a three-hour journey from Kampala, were the first to arrive. Soon afterwards, students from Salama Primary School for the Blind added a bright splash with their yellow uniforms. Bible Society staff had also dressed smartly for this special day. The deaf, too, were included. They came both to exhibit and to participate in the symposium with the help of a sign language interpreter.

The joy of reading scriptures in braille

The students from Iganga arrived earlier than the other guests. However they did not waste time in waiting for the others, they had some braille scriptures brought to them by Mrs Felber-Bisch of a United Bible Societies’ (UBS) PVD Scriptures Coordinator. She had sent a wide range of materials and they read them all very eagerly. Their teachers, too, were extremely overwhelmed with delight.

The afternoon’s proceedings included welcome remarks by Bible Society General Secretary Simon Peter Mukhama, a keynote speech by Reginald Oduor, a lecturer in philosophy at the University of Kenya and himself visually disabled, and a white cane auction. Each contribution was interspersed with lively music from the school groups.

Mr Mukhama explained that the origins of the symposium lay in a workshop held by the United Bible Societies’ VIP Scriptures Service in Nairobi in December 2009 at which representatives from eight Bible Societies from Anglophone Africa were challenged to think differently about their PVD work.

“The workshop really touched my heart and I knew that the Bible Society should become more committed to this ministry,” he said. “We immediately began to undertake research and to identify local partners, and now this symposium is the first visible outcome of our work.”

In his speech, Mr Oduor particularly emphasised the need for Scripture engagement ministry among the PVD community. He illustrated his points using a PowerPoint presentation he had prepared himself using special technology.

Scriptures and programs in local languages

“The Bible Society of Uganda has so far focused on the provision of Braille Scriptures in English,” she explained. “In the future, though, UBS will support it in developing more PVD Scriptures and programs in local languages.”

Fred Lukabwe of the Uganda Foundation for the Blind conducted a moving and humorous auction of two donated foldable white canes. Despite his own blindness and lameness, he proved to be a talented entertainer and motivator, charming people into bidding for a cane which they would then donate to one of the blind people present. The money raised will go towards the production of Braille Scriptures.

The guest of honour was Kedress Turyagenda, the Commissioner for Education Standards at the Ministry of Education and Sports. She is a committed Christian who, as the adoptive mother of a visually impaired son, has a particular interest in PVD ministry.

“Thank you to the Bible Society and UBS for this valuable work,” she said. “Keep this wonderful ministry going, especially the development of Braille materials in local languages.”

“This was a very special and moving event bringing together people of all ages and backgrounds,” concludes Mrs Felber-Bischof. “Its success will be a great boost to the Bible Society as it prepares its PVD work for 2011, developing and providing new Braille Scriptures as well as providing large print Bibles for use in churches by people with limited vision and promoting audio New Testament Portions. And having such strong support from Mrs Turyagenda will be extremely helpful in ensuring that the Society receives government recognition and support for its work in this area.”

The People With Visually Impaired project was extremely appreciated by the entire public and many donated towards this project, others pledged to support it.
Church leaders in different capacities and Bible Society members were glad to be part of such an event. One of the passers by who decided to branch and know exactly what event was happening here quoted the verse in Mathew 5.14&15 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house”. Thank you Bible Society for lighting the city of Kampala with the Word of God he added.
The Bible exhibition was an amazing experience for us as an organization, we thank all our members and partners who endeavored to come and participate in the exhibition. Special thanks to Rwenzori Mineral Water who provided 50 cartons for the exhibition. May God richly bless you