To mobilize, support, and train men to model healthy masculinity in their homes, churches, and their communities. One of the ways we do that is through our Authentic Masculinity Program (AMP). Our purpose is to disciple men and see them actively engage in the life and discipleship of the family and local church.
Our goal is to end fatherlessness. We believe healthy masculinity ends fatherlessness. Man Up desires to see men live out their roles as protectors and providers. We have seen that men often abdicate their responsibilities because they are unable to financially support for their families. The Authentic Masculinity Program gives them the tools necessary to successfully lead and provide for their families and to fight against the trend of leaving children fatherless.
AMP is a year-long program that starts with intentional discipleship and graduates into business development based on biblical principles. Each man is required to attending weekly sessions and maintain above a 70% attendance rate.
The AMP Program consists of two Phases: Phase I consists of a 12-week discipleship in biblical masculinity. Phase II consists of a 12-week business training & IGA Implementation.
Currently, there are 16 cohorts spread across Uganda and Ethiopia.
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. .
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.