| The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Uganda | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Area | Africa Central |
| Members | 22,138 (2023)[1] |
| Stakes | 3 |
| Districts | 3 |
| Wards | 18 |
| Branches | 21 |
| Total Congregations[2] | 39 |
| Missions | 1 |
| Family History Centers | 8[3] |
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Uganda refers to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and its members in Uganda. A branch was created in Kampala in 1991, and by year-end 1991, there were 99 members in Uganda. In 2022, there were 20,693 members in 38 congregations.
History[edit]
| Year | Membership |
|---|---|
| 1991 | 99 |
| 1993 | 800 |
| 1995 | 1,300 |
| 1999 | 2,375 |
| 2004 | 3,788 |
| 2009 | 6,919 |
| 2014 | 13,248 |
| 2019 | 17,887 |
| 2022 | 20,693 |
| *Membership was published as a rounded number. | |
The first Ugandan to join the LDS Church was Charles Osinde, who was baptized in Scotland and returned to Uganda.[1]
The LDS Church was profiled in the Broadway musical The Book of Mormon that premiered in 2011.[5] The story follows two missionaries in Uganda.
In 2012, The New York Times profiled an LDS Church missionary, Jared Dangerfield, as he served in Uganda, "Each day he rises with the African sun to say his prayers before venturing into the urban wilderness of Kampala, Uganda, a churning kaleidoscope of motorcycles, street urchins, vegetable carts and pterodactyl-like storks that circle office towers and lampposts. They orbit above him as he makes his way up and down the muddy hills of the capital city, careful to keep his black pants and white shirt clean, scanning faces in search of those who will listen to him speak of his faith. His Mormon faith."[6]
Stakes and Districts[edit]
As of February 2023, the following stakes and districts were located in Uganda.
| Stake | Organized |
|---|---|
| Busia Uganda/Kenya District | 13 Jan 2019 |
| Gulu Uganda District | 16 Jun 2019 |
| Jinja Uganda Stake | 5 Dec 1993 |
| Kampala Uganda North Stake | 17 Jan 2010 |
| Kampala Uganda South Stake | 22 Jan 2017 |
| Masaka Uganda District | 6 Jan 2019 |
Branches not part of a stake or district include:
The Uganda Kampala Mission Branch serves families and individuals in Uganda and South Sudan that is not in proximity of a meetinghouse.
Mission[edit]
The Uganda Kampala Mission was created in 2005 as a division of the Kenya Nairobi Mission. In 2012, the mission split again creating the Rwanda Kigali Mission. [7] As of January 2023, the Uganda Kampala Mission remains the only mission of the LDS Church in Uganda and also encomases South Sudan.
South Sudan[edit]
The LDS Church has reported no official church membership and congregational figures. Member groups in Juba and Akobo operated starting in 2009 but was discontinued during a civil war in the mid 2010's.[8] All of South Sudan is included in the Uganda Kampala Mission Branch which serves individuals and families not in proximity to a meetinghouse.
Temples[edit]
Uganda is currently in the Johannesburg South Africa Temple district. On April 2, 2017, the Nairobi Kenya Temple was announced by Church President Thomas S. Monson.
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c "Facts and Statistics: Statistics by Country: Uganda", Newsroom, LDS Church, retrieved 10 June 2023
- ^ Excludes groups meeting separate from wards and branches.
- ^ Uganda Family History Centers Map, familysearch.org, retrieved 24 Feb 2023
- ^ Wendall J. Ashton; Jim M. Wall, Deseret News, various years, Church Almanac Country Information: Uganda
- ^ Brantley, Ben. "Missionary Men With Confidence in Sunshine", The New York Times, 24 March 2011. Retrieved on 28 March 2020.
- ^ Kron, Josh. "At Age 19, From Utah to Uganda", The New York Times, 13 April 2012. Retrieved on 28 March 2020.
- ^ Hoffelmeyer, Kira (December 10, 2021), "There's a new assignment option for missionaries in Africa", KSL NewsRadio 102.7, retrieved January 27, 2023
- ^ Stewart, David; Martinich, Matt, "Country Resources: South Sudan", Cumorah.com, retrieved February 23, 2023
External links[edit]
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Uganda Newsroom site
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Official site
