By Mark Wamai
Rev. Dr. Lydia Nsaale Kitayimbwa is popularly known in youth circles as “Digital Mama”. She earned this title as a result of her active participation and regular presiding over the Online Church of Uganda, where she frequently preached, taught and made herself accessible to the congregation through their electronic devices during the COVID-19 lockdown when congregations were banned.
And whereas the “Digital Mama” title has since stuck, not many of her followers know that the activities leading to this “baptism” go as far back as 2004, shortly after Rev. Dr. Kitayimba had completed her Bachelor of Statistics at Makerere University.
Rev. Dr. Lydia Nsaale Kitayimbwa
“Upon completing my undergraduate degree, I was certain that I would pursue a master's degree but the specific field of study remained unclear. Although my father made an effort to convince me to pursue an MBA, I didn’t feel drawn to it. On the contrary, I felt indifferent,” she recalls.
This indifference was born out of the need for conviction and knowledge about a field to master before diving in head-on. Feeling truly at a loss on choosing the way forward, Rev. Dr. Kitayimbwa turned to what she knew best, prayer, and it worked.
“In 2004, while awaiting my next course of action, I engaged in volunteer work at Watoto Church (formerly Kampala Pentecostal Church - KPC), where I was later appointed as a youth worker. I served in this capacity from 2005 until 2009, which paved the way for my profound involvement in church ministry,” Rev. Dr. Kitayimbwa says of her first job.
As a youth worker at Watoto Church, she formulated initiatives and programmes to meet the needs of youth between the ages of 13 and 30, both in and out of school. This job accorded her the opportunity to counsel, mentor and engage with diverse types of young people.
“It gives me great pleasure that some of these young people are now serving in influential positions as bank managers, medical doctors, pastors, mothers, fathers, business persons, while others are PhD holders.”
Choosing theology
The questions Rev. Dr. Kitayimbwa frequently encountered as a youth worker revolved around the purpose and meaning of life, leadership, family, business, careers, relationships and many other spheres. These encounters, coupled with her strong conviction to understand the Bible finally helped her decide on the field for her masters.
“I chose to pursue theology so that I could gain a deeper understanding of the Bible so as to assist others understanding it as well and eventually, derive meaning and purpose for their lives. I enrolled for a master's degree at Uganda Christian University (UCU)'s School Divinity and Theology. It was a thrilling journey for me because I had at last discovered my true calling and the subject that I was delighted to study,” she recalls. This thrilling journey equally birthed in her the yearning to acquire a doctorate in theology.
As she waited for the perfect timing to embark on her PhD, Rev. Dr. Kitayimbwa lectured at UCU, and ministered in parishes as well as the chaplaincy, which culminated in her ordination in 2015. “Upon ordination, I put my ministry first and deferred my doctoral studies until 2017 when I was privileged to encounter an organisation dedicated to providing financial support for theological studies. In 2019 I commenced my doctoral studies in practical theology in collaboration with Stellenbosch University and the Oxford Centre for Religion and Public Life,” she says.
Rev. Dr. Lydia Nsaale Kitayimbwa (5th Left) with PhD fellows at Stellenbosch University.
As an enthusiastic communicator who delights in talking about God and teaching biblical truth, Rev. Dr. Kitayimbwa observed a gap in the church's utilisation of digital media to disseminate the gospel. This served as the motivation for her research.
“During my study that coincided with the COVID-19 lock down, I developed a concept for an online church as an outcome of my doctoral research in theology and digital media. The Archbishop graciously received and acknowledged this proposal. The Online Church of Uganda was established in response to the COVID-19 closure of churches,” she proudly speaks of her doctoral work.
The Online Church of Uganda gathered Christians worldwide for prayer through the utilisation of internet-connected devices such as smartphones, laptops, iPads, and other digital gadgets. Rev. Dr. Kitayimbwa devoted the entire COVID-19 era to this innovation and earned her PhD in December 2022.
Rev. Dr. Lydia Nsaale Kitayimbwa with her PhD Award at Stellenbosch University.
How it all started
Born and raised in a devoted Anglican family residing in Bwaise-Kawempe, Rev. Dr. Kitayimbwa gave and devoted her life to Jesus Christ at an early age. “I am a born-again Anglican woman priest who loves both God and people. I married John Murindwa Kitayimbwa who holds the esteemed titles of Reverend and Professor and together, we have three biological, as well as several spiritual children,” she shares.
The reverend’s bright and jolly personality is well complemented by her sense of fashion, and her husband has a great way of bringing this out. His social media posts on their marital bliss so far, complete with photographic evidence often leave commenters admitting how inspired they are by their marriage.
Rev. Dr. Lydia Nsaale Kitayimbwa speaks at a function. Second from Right is her husband Rev. Prof. John Kitayimbwa.
In her early life, the inspirational Reverend attended several primary schools due to recurrent illnesses and the Catholic-founded St. Joseph's Nsambya Girls School for her secondary education, where she did Physics, Economics, Mathematics, and Fine Art (PEM/Art) at A’ Level. Rev. Dr. Kitayimbwa testifies that it was a combination of prayer, fasting, and hard work that brought her dream to secure government sponsorship at Makerere University to life. It also fulfilled her father’s wish for her to attend “the only university we were familiar with.”
It was a pleasant first two weeks at Makerere University for Rev. Dr. Kitayimbwa and her cousin in 2001, as they sampled campus life throughout the orientation week and thereafter, the bazaar. “We were overjoyed to have arrived at this magnificent university, where we were both enrolled at the Institute of Statistics then. Undoubtedly, I wasted some time during the first academic year, but I devoted myself entirely to my academics in the second year.
“My cousin was in the Complex Hall while I was in Africa Hall, so we frequently crossed to see one another. And whereas I did not experience any culture shocks, my Christian faith was instrumental in helping me maintain my composure during the initial stages. Although we engaged in bazaar activities, our Christian faith set the code of conduct and caution on what we did,” she reminisces.
Rev. Dr. Lydia Nsaale Kitayimbwa (Right) with colleagues after Cell Meeting in Africa Hall.
In addition to engaging in class work and discussion groups, she actively participated in the prayer ministry at the Institute of Statistics Fellowship and the Main Christian Union, where she was an active member. She was also an active member of the Wednesday home cell fellowship in Nkrumah Hall, later assuming the Cell leadership position in her room in Africa Hall. She introduced a few of her classmates to the Cell Fellowship and actively engaged in church youth camps and missionary work after each semester.
“By participating in the campus mission, we demonstrated our commitment to church and community service. I also actively coordinated class parties and beach bashes throughout my university tenure. Despite all these engagements, I excelled at my studies and enjoyed my time on campus immensely,” she adds.
She is full of praise for Makerere University’s significant contribution to her achievements. “It provided me with training for my first degree, which laid the foundation for my subsequent qualifications. Furthermore, my spouse devoted numerous years as a staff of Makerere University in the field of mathematics.”
Prior to joining UCU as Deputy Vice Chancellor, her husband, Prof. Rev. John Kitayimbwa had served at Makerere’s Department of Mathematics for close to two decades. “Part of the tuition for my master's degree was funded by his salary, and since I started my PhD studies while residing at Makerere, I wish to stress that the university has contributed tremendously to my career growth.”
The 12th and first female chaplain at St. Francis
Installed as 12th Chaplain of St. Francis Chapel on 11th June, 2023, Rev. Dr. Kitayimbwa contends that her PhD findings are in tune with Makerere University’s current pursuit of digitalisation of services offered to students, staff and other stakeholders.
“To proactively reach out to and influence children and youth in this digital age, we must acknowledge the presence of digital media and its role in making our physical spaces more accessible. Rather than demonise digital platforms, Makerere and all parents should establish an active digital presence on online platforms.”
Rev. Dr. Lydia Nsaale Kitayimbwa
Rev. Dr. Kityimbwa’s message particularly to the younger generation is that, “attending church is enjoyable and it assists in discovering one's meaning and purpose in life. The church is the best place to establish productive and beneficial friendships and communities.”
She further notes that church attendance has been shown by some studies to decrease anxiety and premature mortality, as well as create a profound sense of satisfaction in life. She advocates for active rather than passive church membership. In this regard, St. Francis Chapel has started a leadership school to train church and community leaders. “I am passionate to see many join church to serve God, therefore, I do mentor both boys and girls into church ministry and leadership.”
The chaplain who admits to being compelled by Christ's love to reach out, serve, mentor, and educate others concludes by reiterating that although serving and volunteering in the church and community may not yield large financial rewards, it is incredibly rewarding.
“Serving others, although difficult, is in my opinion, the most fulfilling and gratifying thing one can do. The things we do for ourselves will pass away quickly, but the things we do for other people and the feelings we give them will last a lifetime,” she sums it up.
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