Where Love Was Compelled to Act

There comes a moment when love is compelled to act—to step beyond comfort and respond to another person’s needs. For Pendeza Uganda, that moment came long before we were officially registered as a community-based organisation in 2014.

Our story began with mothers and children connected to Deliverance Church Makerere Hill. At the time, the Child Survival Programme, supported by Compassion International, was providing vital assistance to expectant mothers and children under the age of three. Although the programme was making a meaningful difference, it could not reach every family in need.

Some mothers and children fell outside the programme’s eligibility criteria, yet their struggles were no less urgent. Some were facing serious health challenges, abandonment, extremely low household incomes, and difficulty meeting even the most basic needs of their children.

As we listened to their stories and witnessed their circumstances, one truth became clear: immediate assistance could meet an urgent need, but handouts alone could not break the cycle of poverty. Families needed an approach that restored dignity, encouraged responsibility, strengthened their capacity, and enabled them to build sustainable futures.

Small Beginnings

What later became Pendeza Uganda began with just ten women. Each woman saved as little as UGX 2,000 per week, with every contribution carefully recorded in a savings book.

By the end of 2011, their collective savings and lending activity had grown to UGX 5 million. The following year, a joint account was opened with PSAVE SACCO, giving the women greater access to safe savings services and affordable credit.

Many people doubted whether women living on very low incomes could develop a consistent culture of saving or faithfully repay small loans. The answer became visible in the lives that began to change.

With training, encouragement, savings, and access to credit, women started small businesses as street vendors, charcoal sellers, and other small-scale entrepreneurs. Gradually, families were able to meet more of their daily needs, improve their livelihoods, and look towards the future with renewed hope.

Encouragement from the leadership of Deliverance Church Makerere Hill and friends such as Catherine Kitongo of Miles to Smiles helped the initiative grow from one small savings group into several groups. This growth opened opportunities for more women, men, and families who had previously been excluded from other forms of support.

Growing With Families and Children

As Pendeza grew, we recognised that poverty affects every part of family and community life. Economic hardship can prevent children from attending school, place pressure on caregivers, weaken family stability, and limit people’s ability to participate meaningfully in their communities.

Our response therefore grew beyond savings and microcredit. Child sponsorship, mentorship, discipleship, livelihood development, leadership training, capacity building, and community partnerships became part of an increasingly integrated approach.

Today, Pendeza Uganda serves a growing network of more than 1,800 members, the majority of whom are women. Through community-based savings groups, financial literacy, affordable credit, livelihood training, and support for small enterprises, families are developing stronger and more sustainable livelihoods.

Through our child sponsorship programme, children receive educational support, mentorship, discipleship, essential healthcare support, and consistent engagement with their families. Our community and church partnerships also equip local leaders and institutions to strengthen families, protect children, and respond sustainably to the needs around them.

What began with ten women saving small amounts has become a growing movement of families taking responsibility, children pursuing their dreams, and communities participating in their own transformation.

The People Who Strengthened the Journey

Pendeza Uganda’s story has never been written by one person alone. It has been shaped by the faith, courage, generosity, service, and wisdom of many people whom God has brought alongside the organisation at different stages of its journey.

The vision took root within Deliverance Church Makerere Hill, whose leadership provided the spiritual and institutional foundation from which Pendeza emerged. The church recognised and encouraged the growing work, providing oversight, office space, practical support, and a community in which the vision could develop.

Mrs Christine N. Walubo has provided sustained vision and leadership as Pendeza grew from a small savings initiative into an organisation strengthening families, supporting children, and serving communities. Her commitment to Christ-centred, holistic transformation continues to guide the organisation’s mission.

Catherine Kitongo of Miles to Smiles was among the early encouragers who helped strengthen the initiative as it expanded from one savings group into several. Mrs Priscilla Serukka and Mrs Carlo Idembe also offered valuable encouragement and wise counsel during important stages of Pendeza’s development.

As the organisation’s governance and programmes developed, leaders including Mr James Monge, Dr Sylvia Naiga Mugema, and Mr Elijah Omagor contributed professional expertise, strategic guidance, and committed service. Ms Esther L. Carey also played a significant role in extending Pendeza’s international reach, helping establish and lead USA Pendeza, mobilise support, strengthen donor relationships, and build partnerships.

Alongside them are the staff, volunteers, mentors, church leaders, sponsors, donors, partners, and participating families who continue to carry the work forward. Some have served publicly and others quietly behind the scenes; each contribution has become part of Pendeza Uganda’s continuing story.

Meet Our Leadership Team