“The BUILD Programme was born within the Province of the Church of Uganda in 2005. A practical, field-based response to the shortage of trained leaders took root and matured into a robust, biblically grounded, and contextually relevant model of leadership formation. What began in Uganda has now grown across the East African region and beyond, demonstrating how local ownership, partnership, and perseverance can yield lasting transformation in the life and ministry of the Church.”
So reads the forward of the recent evaluation of BUILD. The training has emerged and evolved over a twenty-year period and while many individual project and country reports have been generated during that time, there has been no consolidated evaluation. Daniel Irongo, an independent consultant in the sphere of grassroots education and healthcare, carried out a primarily qualitative review of the work, the findings of which are as challenging as they are promising.
This post simply pulls together some quotes from that review, including some of the interview quotes that are insightful and encouraging. The evaluation was guided by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development – Development Assistance Committee (OECD-DAC) criteria to assess BUILD’s relevance, coherence, effectiveness, efficiency, impact and sustainability in strengthening local church leadership across East Africa.
In terms of its relevance, BUILD was seen to remain relevant to the needs of the churches in the region. “Its modular, locally delivered model effectively bridges gaps left by formal theological institutions, reaching clergy and lay leaders in remote, low-resource, and refugee settings… [the] approach aligns closely with church priorities and community realities, enabling leaders to serve effectively while remaining active in ministry.”
Further, “The programme demonstrates strong internal, institutional, and regional alignment. Peer-based learning and standardised modules ensure consistency in pedagogy; integration within church governance strengthens accountability; and cross-country collaboration through shared resources and trainer exchanges promotes harmonisation.”
This is seen to have enhanced BUILD’s effectiveness. The evaluation was limited in its scope, and so, “While it is impossible to estimate the number of individuals impacted by BUILD since it began, BUILD has achieved significant results across all participating countries. For example, in Uganda the formal training-of-trainers course based at Uganda Martyrs Seminary, Namugongo has produced over 100 graduates who have formed more than 125 parish-level training groups with approximately 1,250 participants; in Kenya, over 200 graduates have cascaded training to a further 700 leaders; Rwanda’s current programme has 600 active local trainee-trainers who show full retention; Tanzania recently reports 79 graduate trainers and an 88% retention rate; and Ethiopia continues to progress despite post-conflict disruptions. Chad and DRC have their own recent, encouraging stories of success.”
In terms of efficiency, “The programme demonstrates exceptional cost-effectiveness through prudent resource management, cost-sharing, and decentralised coordination. By leveraging existing church structures and low-cost digital tools, BUILD achieves wide coverage at minimal expense. Local contributions, partner funding, and reinvestment of surpluses ensure affordability and financial prudence.”
No wonder, “BUILD’s impact is evident at individual, institutional, community, and regional levels. Graduates exhibit theological depth, ethical leadership, and community engagement. Accreditation in Uganda has strengthened links between non-formal and formal theological education. Communities led by BUILD alumni demonstrate improved unity, stewardship, and resilience, while in refugee and post-conflict settings, the programme fosters peacebuilding and reconciliation. Regionally, BUILD has transformed theological formation into an accessible, community-based model for leadership and church growth.”
Finally but importantly, “Sustainability is anchored in BUILD’s decentralised, community-driven, and self-replicating design, where graduates become facilitators within existing church structures. Institutional integration under national education departments ensures accountability and low overheads, while hybrid financing—combining diocesan inputs, participant fees, and partner support maintains financial stability.”
The challenges lie in the significant lessons and recommendations, with the tests of, “diversifying financing, and institutionalising… monitoring and evaluation systems…, developing structured cost-sharing and country-level fundraising strategies, introducing blended online curricula for broader access, decentralising coordination, pursuing [further] formal accreditation, and enhancing visibility through digital platforms and storytelling.”
The interviews were littered with important insights such as these:
“Peer-based learning and replication keep everyone accountable, the message moves from the classroom to the pulpit, and the pulpit to the community.”
“The standardised manuals and ERA approach make it easy to connect what happens in class to what happens in ministry.”
“Accreditation is a plus; it encourages leaders to aim higher so they can progress into formal theological studies.”
And despite the need for stronger regional structures, “Regionally, the connection is strong; we share materials, coach new trainers, and learn from one another’s challenges.”
Most importantly, “Many of our graduates are now running their own training groups in rural parishes; they have become multipliers of what they received.” And those local groups themselves have taken on the task informally, “In October every year since 2020, we conduct house-to-house evangelism. Last year, 93 leaders were trained and 90 people accepted Christ.”
There is much to take on board, but even more to be thankful for.
