More About Heritage Uganda Orphanage
In 2004, Moses Jasans Katende encountered seven children living on the streets in Kampala, the capital city of Uganda. He felt moved by God to do something about their terrible situation. They needed to belong, to be cared for, and to have a sense of worth. He had no resources besides his two-room apartment, so he invited them to come and live in that small space. That was the beginning of Heritage for Children.
Moses was born in Bombo-Namaliga, located in the Luweero Triangle, known as the Bush War area, a guerrilla warfare campaign waged by the NRA against the government forces. It exposed the people living there to a profound impact on the communities in the Luweero Triangle, resulting in displacement, loss of life, and significant social and economic disruptions. Moses grew up in a village called Kazo-Nabweru, Wakiso district, which is about 6 miles north of Kampala.
He was the youngest of 15 children his father had with four wives. Growing up, he felt lonely and rejected despite his large family because there was so much conflict. During Uganda’s civil war, his father died, and his mother and his four siblings were displaced from their home. They struggled to earn enough for food, clothing, and other basic needs.
In exchange for dedicating herself to Muslim sheiks and the service of Allah, Mose’s mother was promised financial support for Mose’s education in Mecca. However, soon after that, Mose met Michael Kajumba and other Christian ministers who preached the gospel at a nearby school. There, he first heard the good news of Jesus and was deeply moved. Moses accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior and was baptized with the Holy Spirit.
This decision was not met with joy by his family. He faced much persecution from his mother and other relatives. When the Muslim group from Ghana found out, they ended their financial support of his education. But Moses persevered and continued his walk with the Bwaise Evangelical Church. At just 16 years old, Moses started the church Rhema Life Church. By God’s grace, he has been the senior pastor of that church ever since.