HISTORY OF THE CHURCH
The Founding Members of St. John’s Church of Uganda – Kanaaba were members of St. Matthew’s Church of Uganda – Busaabala. This Busaabala Church is about 2 (two) miles away from Kanaaba. Christians of Kanaaba decided to build a church in their area to save themselves from this long distance. Land was found and bought at a total cost of UShs.1,800,000/=(one million eight hundred thousand shillings). The land was bought from two people: Mr. Jjingo Girigooli and Miss Nabukeera Margret.
On 10th October,1993, the day on which Ugandans cerebrated the 31st Independence anniversary, the first service was held under a tree (locally called Mugavu). Unfortunately this historical tree was destroyed by people using its bark as herbal medicine as seen in the picture on the right below. It was eventually removed after drying
Several Temporary churches were built (using local material like poles, reeds, papyrus and at one stage iron sheets for roofing) before the actual construction of the permanent church currently in use.
The First Service
The first service on 10.10.1993 was attended by the following people at 8:00 a.m.
- Lay Reader: Lezeni Sebina (RIP)
- Mrs.Gertrude Sebina
- Mr. Yokaana Sekiziyivu
- Mrs. Robinah Sekiziyivu
- Mrs. Alice Wamala (RIP)
- Ssalongo Christopher Lule (RIP)
- Mrs. Margret Lule (RIP)
- Mr. Abiyasaali Ddamulira Mukasa
- Mrs Florence M.N.Mukasa
- Mr. Nasanayiri Nakabaale (RIP)
- Ms. Manjeri Namayanja Muwanika (RIP)
After one year the membership had grown to over twenty five who were regularly attending church. These early members contributed a lot towards the development of the place by working with their hands, contributing money and contributing material for construction purposes.