Meet Fred, one of our faithful AMP cohort leaders in Uganda. Fred is a committed leader with a deep passion for teaching men what the Bible says about biblical manhood. His compassion, gentle spirit, and infectious love for God are evident in the way he leads and serves others. As a husband and father, Fred brings a personal understanding of the calling to lead and love his family well. Josh and I had the privilege of visiting Fred and his family in their home on several occasions, and had the honor of praying over he and his young family. Josh also learned about the custom of men walking arm in arm in Africa ♥. We are grateful for Fred’s faithful leadership and the impact he is making as he helps men discover what it means to live as godly men in their homes, churches, and communities. He will continue to serve both his church and Man Up as a cohort leader. Fred's message: “I am blessed to inform you that I started a church. I was officially ordained as a pastor and have been sent out by my spiritual parent to start the ministry. The purpose for writing to you is to ask for your prayers. My wife, children and the church are missing you, pray for you and love you in Jesus’ name. What I can say is that I love Jesus, I pray for more strength, faithfulness to my God and I am committed in ministry of men through serving in Man Up and Go. I am now ordained by my spiritual father/Bishop as a pastor and leading a church, discipling young ones and adults therefore, I need your prayers, advice, and any kind of support. My wife Suzan is also teaching a discipleship class for new converts.” Please join me in praying for Pastor Fred for strength, direction, wisdom, and provision as he steps into this new calling. He is a special man and a gift to the ministry of Man Up.
July 2026 marks a watershed moment for Man Up in Bulangira, Uganda. Several years ago, our AMP cohort leaders in Uganda presented us with a 22-page proposal outlining a bold vision: a Skills Training Program that would equip AMP graduates with practical, income-generating skills such as welding, carpentry, shoemaking, tailoring, lawn maintenance, baking, and more. Although they had a clear vision, they lacked the startup capital to bring it to life. After years of prayer, faithful perseverance, and waiting on God's perfect timing, that vision is finally becoming a reality. Just a few weeks ago, construction began, and today three buildings that will serve as the training center are nearing completion. This is an exciting new chapter in the life of the AMP program. We are filled with gratitude for God's faithfulness and eager to see how He will use this training center to transform lives and create new opportunities for generations to come. .
A few months back Man Up provided a gift to Kerith ministries of $5000 to help us acquire tools to equip the carpentry and fabrication Skills Center department. The goal was to provide men with the skills who can't afford to pay for such training, yet they have the capacity to learn. Since we received the funds, we purchased the needed equipment to start the trainings. We started with 12 men, 8 of them were doing welding and fabrication and 4 were doing carpentry. These men have been dedicated to train and now they are able to make good products like beds, chairs, and stools. Our ministry has also benefited because the men can do maintenance on our furniture at Kerith School & Children’s Home. These men currently are also able to make some little money through repairs or making products from people outside Kerith. This has given them hope for a better living and future. After this success, through the Man Up Country Director, Geofrey Ochari, we are ready for any man graduating from the AMP Program recommended by him to come and get the training. We are also targeting young men who have dropped out of school or who have rehabilitated from drug abuse and domestic abuse from the district of Pallisa and beyond. We want to appreciate the trust and partnership with Man Up that brings transformation in the lives of people. Pastor Samuel Mwesigwa
The AMP program has been running in Uganda since 2018. Since inception, the program has seen close to 1,000 men discipled and hundreds more indirectly impacted by the men who have been a part of the program. Pastor Geofrey Ochari Man Up's In-country Director states, “We have heard testimony after testimony from men who have gone through the program and from their spouses, and they have become a great encouragement to us. There aren’t enough pages to write down all the testimonies we have heard throughout the 8-year journey of discipleship”. Pastor Geofrey also shared, “We realized that people are gifted and talented in different areas but lack the skills that can take them through and empower them. We want to come along as a team to help men discover themselves and afterwards empower them to exploit their potential and become better financially. We believe teaching them a skill will be more effective than giving them money.” With that, Pastor Geofrey and the other cohort leaders proposed a “Skills Training” concept instead of a micro-loan. Geofrey adds, “We believe skills training will help reduce the stress and struggles involved with loan recovery. Under this new arrangement we intend to give men necessary skills and start up support in the form of tools and not cash. We further suggest that the support given will be at 50% cost-share in the program. We have realized this will create a sense of responsibility and ownership.” The AMP program’s purpose has always been to see men develop holistically as followers of Jesus, husbands, fathers, entrepreneurs and active participants in the mission of God in the world through the work of the local church. To see men given the opportunity for upward mobility; not a “hand-out” but a “hand-up.” When men are living out their divine calling the problem of fatherlessness can be eradicated, which is the vision of Man Up.