About Us
OUR STORY
A church rooted in faith, language and community
Ekkanisa y’oLuganda is an Anglican congregation worshipping in the Luganda language at St Jude with St Aidan’s Church in Thornton Heath, in the London Borough of Croydon. It was established to give Luganda-speaking Christians a place where they could worship God in their mother tongue while remaining fully rooted in the Anglican tradition.
The church was formally inaugurated on 27 May 2007 by Emeritus Archdeacon Tony Davies and Venerable (Emeritus) Danny Kajumba under the Diocese of Southwark’s Fresh Expressions initiative. The initiative created opportunities for Christian communities to develop forms of worship that were closely connected to people’s language, culture and everyday life.
For Luganda-speaking Anglicans living in the United Kingdom, this was especially significant. Worship in Luganda made it possible for members of the community to pray, sing, listen to Scripture and share fellowship in a language that was deeply familiar to them. It also helped create a stronger sense of belonging for people living far from Uganda while allowing faith, language and cultural identity to remain closely connected.
Before Ekkanisa y’oLuganda was established, there was only one regular Luganda Anglican church service in the United Kingdom, meeting once a month at St John’s Church, Waterloo. At the same time, the number of Luganda-speaking people living in the UK was increasing, and so was the need for more opportunities to worship in Luganda.
A new opportunity emerged when Rev Nathan Ntege, a Luganda-speaking priest, was appointed as vicar at St Jude with St Aidan’s Church in Thornton Heath. Luganda-speaking members of the congregation approached him and asked him to present their request to the Diocese of Southwark for permission to establish a Luganda Anglican service at the parish church.
The Diocese of Southwark approved the request, and Ekkanisa y’oLuganda began to grow as a spiritual home for Luganda-speaking Christians. Over time, the congregation expanded beyond South London and began serving people from across Greater London, other parts of the United Kingdom, and visiting Ugandans and members of the wider diaspora.
Today, Ekkanisa y’oLuganda continues to provide a place for worship, Christian fellowship and community connection. The use of Luganda in worship helps people engage with the Christian message in a language they know well, while also giving families and younger generations an opportunity to remain connected with Luganda language and heritage within a church setting.
Worship at Ekkanisa y’Oluganda
The congregation has also grown beyond those who are able to attend in person. Where appropriate, worshippers and visitors in different places can join services and prayers online, helping the church remain connected with people beyond Croydon and beyond the United Kingdom.
The purpose of Ekkanisa y’oLuganda remains clear: to provide a welcoming Anglican worshipping community where people can praise God in Luganda, grow in faith, build fellowship and maintain meaningful links with language, culture and community. Whether someone is a long-standing member, a visitor, or simply interested in learning more about the church, they are warmly welcomed to take part in the life of the congregation.
