Watoto Church has officially launched the 2025 Christmas Cantata, themed “Son of God,” marking one of the biggest expansions of the production in its 40-year history.
The announcement was made on Wednesday morning during a press briefing at Watoto Downtown, attended by media partners, church leaders, and sponsors.
For the first time ever, the globally acclaimed Christmas production will move from its traditional Downtown auditorium to an outdoor venue at Old Kampala S.S. Grounds, increasing capacity from 1,200 seats to more than 10,000 attendees per show.
The Cantata is scheduled to run for four nights—19th to 22nd December 2025—at 8:00 PM, with free admission.
A Bigger, Brighter, Better Experience
Pastor Graham Tugume, who leads Worship Arts at Watoto Church, described this year’s production as the most ambitious yet. “For over 40 years, Watoto Church has presented a Christmas show as a gift of love to the city of Kampala and to the nation of Uganda,” he said. “This year, it is going to be bigger, brighter, and better.”
He revealed that thousands of volunteers—including singers, dancers, actors, and technical teams—have been preparing since August.
“Their motivation is simple,” he said. “They love you, they love this city, and above all, they love God. We want to present the timeless message that God so loved the world that He gave His only Son. We will tell that story in a new and relevant way this year.”
A Transformational Production
Pastor Edward Mwesigye, Pastoral Team Leader at Watoto Church, who shared his personal testimony at the launch, called the Cantata “transformational.”
“The first time I walked into KPC in 1999 was during a Christmas Cantata,” he said. “I wasn’t saved. I only went because I loved music—but that night, the voices, the choreography, the excellence—I was blown away. Months later, I gave my life to Jesus.”
He emphasised that the Cantata is more than entertainment. “It is our gift to the city, and it is absolutely free. Christmas is way more than eating. We believe that at the end of these shows, many people will give their lives to Jesus Christ,” he added.
Pastor Mwesigye confirmed that the move to Old Kampala aims to ensure that at least 40,000–50,000 people experience the production. “For years, many people left disappointed because they could not enter the building,” he said. “Now, with a 10,000-capacity venue, more families and young people will participate.”
New Addition: The City’s Carols Night
Watoto Church also announced a new citywide Christmas celebration: The City’s Carols Night, to be held on 17th December 2025 at 8:00 PM at the same venue.
“This is a collaborative event with multiple ministries—youth choirs, children’s choirs, and church choirs from across Kampala,” Pastor Tugume said. “It is not a performance; it is an opportunity for the whole city to sing together and lift up the name of Jesus.”
Lighting the “Tallest Christmas Tree”
Pastor Mwesigye added that the event will feature the lighting of what is expected to be the tallest Christmas tree in East Africa, “visible from the seven hills of Kampala.” He invited the public to come and take selfies with the tree.
He thanked the media and corporate partners—Next Media, Vision Group, SafeBoda, Nation Media Group, and Power FM—for helping amplify the message of Christmas.
SafeBoda announced a special partnership to support transport for attendees.
Calvin Mukooli, SafeBoda’s Branding & Activations representative, confirmed: “SafeBoda is excited to come on board. We will be offering discounted rides—both SafeBoda and SafeCar—to help people get to and from the Cantata grounds safely and affordably. This partnership allows us to extend our commitment to safety to everyone attending.”
Mukooli added that SafeBoda will have increased visibility at the venue and new features to simplify access, including the ability for users to order multiple rides using the same phone.
Free, but Not Cheap
Pastor Tugume assured the attendees of security both at the venue and in the nearby premises. “We have the Uganda Police, canine unit, private security, snipers and Special Forces.”
He added: “The venue and all roads to the venue will be secured. However, don’t move with a lot of valuables to avoid mishaps since the event will attract all sorts of people.”
Although the Cantata is free, Watoto Church invests significant resources to stage the world-class production.
“Entrance is completely free, but an offertory is welcome,” Pastor Mwesigye said. “The giving will support organisations around the city that care for vulnerable babies. Let’s give them a Christmas filled with hope.”
“Christmas Cantata is our gift to the city,” Watoto church posted on X. “This year, we want more people to see the show, hear the message of Christmas, and remember that Jesus is the reason for the season.”
