Watoto Church Uganda held a groundbreaking ceremony on Saturday 15 February 2026 for a new 5,000-seat auditorium at its Bugolobi Campus in Kampala, marking the most ambitious building project in the church's 35-year history.

Senior Pastor Gary Skinner, who founded Watoto Church in 1989, led the symbolic first sod-turning alongside a congregation of more than 3,000 members and guests. The project, budgeted at USD 12 million, is expected to be completed by December 2027 and will serve as the church's flagship worship centre for the Kampala region.

"This building is not just bricks and mortar. It is a statement of faith — that we believe God is not done with Uganda, and that the best days of the Church in this nation are still ahead."

— Pastor Gary Skinner, Founding Senior Pastor, Watoto Church Uganda

The new auditorium will incorporate state-of-the-art acoustics, a broadcast studio for Watoto Media, and a dedicated children's wing designed to accommodate 800 children simultaneously. Construction will be carried out by a Ugandan firm in partnership with an international church design consultancy.

The groundbreaking drew congratulations from churches across Uganda, with many leaders describing the project as an inspiring example of faith-driven vision. Watoto Church currently operates six campuses across Uganda and is known globally for its Watoto Children's Ministry, which cares for over 2,500 orphaned and vulnerable children.