Championing Hope in Northern Uganda
Steve Lock, one of our YFM team members and a Director of Gulu Mission Initiative, has recently returned from a mission trip to Uganda, where he worked alongside local communities to bring hope and practical support to some of the most disadvantaged areas in the north of the country.
Gulu is the largest city in Northern Uganda and the heart of the Acholi sub-region. Once devastated by decades of civil conflict and the insurgency led by the Lord’s Resistance Army, Gulu remains a place of rebuilding and recovery. Despite progress, poverty and social challenges persist, leaving many families vulnerable and without basic necessities.
The need is urgent. According to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics, poverty in the Acholi region has soared from 33% in 2017 to 68% in 2020. This extreme deprivation has fuelled rising crime, domestic violence, and a surge in sexual crimes against girls under 19, leading to increased teenage pregnancies. Many young boys have turned to drugs and theft, while the elderly and people with disabilities face severe food insecurity.
Gulu Mission responds by providing essential items such as food and mattresses to the most vulnerable, while sharing messages of hope. The charity also invests in leadership development, offering theological training for pastors who often lead churches without formal education. UK teams regularly visit Uganda to deliver conferences for pastors and women, groups often overlooked, bringing encouragement and practical support.
Steve said: “I am passionate about helping young people make a difference.
Taking groups to Gulu to teach, build, and connect with communities has been life-changing—not just for those we serve, but for the young people themselves.”
As Proverbs 19:17 reminds us: “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will reward them for what they have done.”
You can read more about Steve’s latest trip in the latest edition of Gulu Mission Initiative’s newsletter here.
To learn more, donate, or volunteer, visit https://www.gulumission.org or contact stevelock@cinw.org.uk.