The Church of Uganda (COU) Family TV successfully raised UGX 33.4 million in donations and pledges during the 3rd Annual Ekyoto Breakfast Meeting held at Golf Course Hotel under the theme “Fire up the Family, Empower the Community to Grow Together.”
The event, hosted by The Most Rev. Dr Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu, Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, brought together leaders from faith, business, technology, and public service to celebrate partnership and strengthen support for the Church’s media ministry.
Archbishop Kaziimba reflected on the journey of COU Family TV, noting that it was established during the COVID-19 lockdown as a divine response to keep the Church connected to its flock.
“Every vision must have a vision bearer — and every vision bearer needs supporters,” he said. “The Church of Uganda Television was born out of faith and purpose. Let us continue to support this platform so that generations to come will have a safe and godly space for learning and inspiration.”
Speaking at the event, Amos Mwesigye, Managing Director of COU Family TV, shared that the funds will go toward expanding family-friendly and enriching programs to additional platforms such as Free-To-Air, GOtv, and StarTimes, as well as sustaining ongoing production.
“This is your TV station — a vision born to serve families and communities with wholesome Christian content,” Mwesigye said. “Every contribution made today will help us grow stronger and reach more homes with messages that build faith, hope, and unity.”
According to COU Family TV’s fundraising summary, the event collected UGX 27.8 million in pledges and UGX 5.6 million in cash, bringing the total raised to UGX 33.4 million. The station said it is yet to collect a balance of UGX 66.6 million to achieve full nationwide reach.
Mr Samuel Mwogeza, Executive Director at Stanbic Bank Uganda and Chief Guest, commended the initiative and reaffirmed Stanbic’s commitment to empowering families and youth through financial literacy and entrepreneurship.
“We believe in generational progress. Supporting COU Family TV means strengthening the family unit, which is the foundation of a thriving nation,” Mwogeza said.
Panel discussions during the event explored the theme “The Future of Work, Education, and Skills for Ugandan Youth,” with speakers from the Bank of Uganda, Ministry of ICT, Uganda Police, and All Saints Cathedral emphasising the importance of values-driven innovation, responsible technology use, and strong family guidance.
Mr Collins Babirukamu, Executive Director for ICT at the Bank of Uganda, warned that artificial intelligence is advancing rapidly and could become difficult to control if not properly managed.
“Computers are now performing human-like tasks, and if we don’t act responsibly, in the next five years they could outpace our control — posing challenges even to churches and nations alike,” he cautioned.
Irene Karungi Sekitoleko, Senior ICT Infrastructure Engineer at the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, encouraged Ugandans to embrace technology for growth while using it responsibly.
“Technology is the engine of modern economies, but as we use it to grow and gain efficiency, we must also build strong safeguards to ensure responsible use,” she said.
SSP Julius Mucunguzi, a Senior Police Officer with the Uganda Police Force, urged parents and leaders to guide children on the proper use of technology and AI. “Artificial Intelligence is a useful tool, but it is not the alpha and omega — our human reasoning and values must always lead,” he advised.
The Very Rev. Canon Rebecca Nyegenye, Provost of All Saints Cathedral, applauded the growing impact of COU Family TV, saying, “This station is shaping a generation by producing high-quality, family-safe content. Continued support will ensure it remains a beacon of faith and positive influence.”
The funds raised from this year’s Ekyoto Breakfast will directly support COU Family TV’s expansion, production upgrades, and family-centred programs, reinforcing its role as the official Christian voice of the Church of Uganda and a cornerstone for moral renewal in society.
