Wakisa Ministries, a Christian-based crisis pregnancy center in Wakiso District, has reaffirmed its role as a lifeline for thousands of teenage mothers, marking 20 years of service on 5th December, 2025.

Over two decades, the organization has grown into a safe haven for some of Uganda’s most vulnerable young girls, offering care, shelter, and a chance at a fresh start.

Founded by Vivian Kityo, Wakisa Ministries was founded in August 2005, motivated by her concern for young women facing unplanned pregnancies.

The initial idea came from her earlier work as a nurse where she had seen first‑hand the risks faced by girls after unsafe abortions or abandonment, and felt called to offer a different path built on mercy and care

What began ‘in a small room’ soon grew, and within about five months, the ministry had developed into a fully-fledged crisis‑pregnancy center.

The center registers an average of four pregnant girls every week. Most come from financially struggling families, seeking not only medical support but also emotional healing and guidance.

“Many of these girls arrive after facing rejection or abuse. Our role is to restore dignity, offer love, and provide the support they need to rebuild their lives,” Kityo said.

Since its inception, Wakisa Ministries has helped over 19,000 girls. Beyond medical attention and safe shelter, the center provides counseling and life-skills training, including tailoring, baking, cooking, and basic business skills.

These skills empower girls to return to their communities with practical tools for independence.

For girls like Malaika Musimenta, Wakisa became the family she no longer had.

“When my parents and relatives abandoned me, I did not know where to go. Wakisa welcomed me without judgment and treated me like I mattered,” she stated.

Currently, the center cares for several pregnant girls, including Angella Nabwiso, who is expecting twins.

“I feel safe here. The nurses and mothers treat me kindly. I know my babies will arrive safely because I am taken care of every day,” she noted.

Wakisa Ministries serves girls aged 10 to 20, offering not only maternity care but also emotional support and life-skills training, while looking ahead, the center continues to dream bigger and expand its reach.

“We hope to build a larger maternity ward so that we can help even more girls. Every year, the need grows, and we want to be ready,” Kityo said.

For many young girls who arrive at Wakisa Ministries feeling hopeless, the transformation is profound. Fear and despair are replaced by confidence, dignity, and hope, a testament to the Centre’s enduring mission over the past 20 years.

As Wakisa Ministries celebrates 20 years of service, its story is more than just numbers, it is a testament to compassion, resilience, and the power of community. For thousands of teenage mothers, the center has been a place of refuge, healing, and opportunity.

With every life restored and every girl empowered to pursue a brighter future, Wakisa Ministries continues to embody hope, proving that even in the face of adversity, love and care can transform lives.