Our Global Family Leaders are individuals deeply committed to serving the Lord and helping those in need within their communities while advancing the Gospel message. This month, we start looking at the lives of these leaders, exploring their motivations and the impactful work they do.
This month, we spotlight Albert Aryagasha, our Family Leader for Central Uganda. Albert is at the helm of the Maranatha Primary School and leads community groups for those seeking to grow in their faith. Albert is married to Doreen Nabatanzi and together, they have two children: a four-year-old son, Nathaniel Aryagasha, and a five-month-old daughter, Neriah Aryagumanawe.
Albert hails from Kampala and comes from a large family, with two brothers and three sisters. His parents still reside in Kampala, which is about two hours away from where he currently serves.
As a young man, Albert completed his Senior 6 education with the aspiration of studying accounting at university. He applied and was accepted in 2002, but faced the significant challenge of affording the tuition fees. At that time, World in Need’s representative in Uganda offered to assist with his tuition, and Albert also secured a job as a cleaner at the university, which helped cover his expenses directly.
Attending Uganda Christian University was a transformative experience for Albert. He recalls a pivotal moment when, "I heard a preacher at the university talking on challenges and bondage. I had all these challenges, and the pastor was saying that the only way to be truly free was to trust in Jesus.” This message resonated deeply with him, leading him to dedicate his life to Jesus. He joined a Matthew 7 (v24) fellowship group led by Richmond Wandera.
After graduating from university, Albert had a job auditing for the Ugandan government, and when Richmond became President of the Pastors Discipleship Network, Albert became his assistant and took over leadership of the fellowship group. Later, when Richmond moved to the USA, the fellowship shifted to the World in Need offices, where Albert volunteered from 2005 to 2006, leading children's groups.
During his time volunteering, a friend encouraged Albert to visit the UK to learn about different cultures and customs, including using a fork and spoon. He spent a year in the UK, during which he visited the World in Need offices.
Upon his return to Kampala, Albert met David Shamiri, then CEO of World in Need, who invited him to serve on a voluntary basis, leading the organization’s efforts in Uganda.
Since taking on the role of Global Family Leader for World in Need in Central Uganda, Albert has been dedicated to making a difference through the child sponsorship program. He promptly secured the foundation of the Maranatha School by completing all necessary legal paperwork related to World in Need’s ownership. His commitment to ensuring that children and families receive the support they need has been unwavering.
Albert is an inspiration to speak with, filled with the joy of the Lord. He shares, “Even if I have not even a coin in my pocket, I’m always happy.” He has also started a fellowship at the World in Need offices, with women from the group now participating in the Discipleship Course.
Expressing his passion, Albert says, “If we can pray, it doesn’t matter how bad things are, if we come to God, He can do all things. If God can use me for generations to come to get an education, a degree, a diploma, then that is my heart’s desire.”
Albert extends his gratitude, saying, “I would like to thank the World in Need supporters so much. We can still do so much more in helping children and making Christ known in communities, but thank you because we can do nothing without your support. The World in Need Compound and the Maranatha School can be centres of evangelism, helping and catching many children. It is wonderful work, but we can still do more for the glory of God.”
