“God told me to reach out to the people who aren’t reached, go to the people whom no one wants and change them into the people whom everyone is looking for.”
Gerald Tugume, Founder of Hope Ministries Uganda, Executive Director
Barbara Kyomugisha, Procedure and Logistics Manager, director of Masiiko Pregnancy Care Center
Gerald was born in western Uganda and orphaned at a young age. He experienced many hard realities early on in his life, but the hand of God was always upon him. The harsh conditions and experiences that Gerald grew up in prepared him for the destiny that God had for him in starting the NGO, Hope Ministries Uganda.
A trip through his work to participate in gorilla tracking lead to Gerald hearing about the plight of the Batwa. Gerald left his work team as they were headed into the rain forest and instead searched for the Batwa. God pressed in on his heart and he eventually left the city of Kampala and sold everything he had to move to Rubuguri in the Kisoro District of south west Uganda.
After a year of reaching out to the Batwa, he was able to win their trust and began leading them to Jesus Christ. Gerald had known his wife, Barbara at University where they did small ministries together in collecting school supplies for poor children. After leaving Kampala, he and Barbara lost contact. After some time the Lord pressed Barbara into Gerald’s heart reminding him of her heart and her desire to serve and share the Gospel message. Gerald contacted Barbara and shared his heart with her. After some time, the Lord confirmed to Gerald that they were suppose to serve together as husband and wife. They were married in 2015. The Lord has blessed them with two beautiful sons, Samuel Daniel His Grace and Mugisha Joshua Derry.