By Irene Best Nyapendi
As Rev. Dr. Lydia Kitayimbwa recently shifted her duties from the Uganda Christian University (UCU) chaplaincy to chaplain for St. Francis Chapel, Makerere University, she received significant accolades from members of the clergy and academic faculty. At that, her favorite professional title is “digital mama.” She got that nickname from youth engaged in on-line church.
“When people started calling me digital mama, I couldn’t turn the name down because through the digital platforms, lives are being touched by God’s grace,” she said. “God is enabling us as clergy to reach people who may never come to church.”
In a world of traditional, in-person church services, especially in East Africa, Rev. Lydia is swimming not against but alongside that tide. She believes that Christ teachings can and should be provided on various platforms. It’s a belief grounded in research. Her new climb to a Practical Theology PhD degree from Stellenbosch University, South Africa, is tied to her thesis entitled, “Communicating the gospel in a digital age: A case study of the dioceses of Kampala and Namirembe in the Anglican Church of Uganda.”
In response to the 2lst century influx of digital media use in daily life with a specific interest in this usage by the Anglican Church of Uganda (ACOU), Rev. Lydia’s study examines the digital age communication of the gospel focusing on four churches in ACOU Namirembe and Kampala dioceses. She has brought this passion to her role as coordinator of the Online Church of Uganda.
“My love for the Lord compels me to share the gospel within the Church building and beyond the four walls of the church,” she said, giving much credit for her understanding to UCU students who shared with her how to effectively serve God in their generation. She added, “I often organized open talks with the students both physically and virtually to offer guidance and prayers. We learn from each other.”
Rev. Lydia, wife of Rev. Prof. John Kitayimbwa, who is the UCU Deputy Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs, is a born-again clergy of the Diocese of Kampala Church of Uganda. She was raised in a Christian home and has served in the church since 2004. Before joining UCU in 2022, Rev. Lydia was serving at St. Luke’s Church of Uganda Ntinda where she was overseeing several ministries, including leading the youth ministry and starting an online ministry. In early 2021, she asked for and was granted leave to focus on her doctoral studies. Following her leave, she was sent to serve at UCU.
During the study leave, Rev. Lydia, who graduated with her PhD in December 2022, was among the team that helped establish the Online Church of Uganda, which was especially timely and relevant during the Covid-19 lockdown. The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, the Most Rev. Dr. Stephen Samuel Kazimba Mugalu, appointed her to coordinate the church that conducts a number of services throughout the week on a daily basis. Through the Online Church of Uganda, the gospel message is shared by priests and laity through different digital media platforms including YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, WhatsApp and Zoom. There are many testimonies that have been registered as a result of this online ministry by the Church of Uganda.
“I am committed to discipling and mentoring male and female students in their walks with the Lord and challenge them to use their gifts to serve God in their different professions,” Rev. Lydia said. “ I am grateful to God for my gifts to serve God and draw many to Him.”
