Who is Pastor Imelda Namutebi Kula? Flash Uganda Media looks at her biography, family, church ministry, preaching, husband, Early Life and Education of the founder of Liberty Worship Centre International.
Imelda Namutebi Kula is a Ugandan pastor, businesswoman. She is the senior pastor of Liberty Worship Centre International, a cathedral accommodating 15,000 seats located in Lugala sitting on 17 acres of land.
Namutebi spent 7bn shillings on the church construction.
Pastor Imelda Namutebi is a compassionate person; she doesn’t like seeing people suffer. She can stop on the way just to help a stranger not because she’s rich, but because she wants to help.
The church is very beautiful characterized by pretty floral lampshades in different shades of fuchsia, multi-coloured pavers and tasteful furniture.
Namutebi’s biggest goal is to see God glorified each year.
Early Life and Education
Pastor Imelda Kula Namutebi was born to Mr. Wayita and Rosemary Nakakawa (RIP) in Busujju Mawanda Butambala District, Central Uganda. However, Namutebi never grew up with their parents; she grew up with her grandfather, Hajji Bumbakali Male Muwanga.
She was born to a family of two children but her young sister died mysteriously when she was only eight years old and at the time she was ten.
After burying her sister, Namutebi became very sick, she would see shining objects and a voice kept telling her she was to die too.
Everything was done including visiting native doctors, Islamic prayers (Duwa) were offered to recover her health, but all in vain. It was a spiritual ‘illness; Namutebi would see dead people beckoning her.
As a result, Namutebi dropped out of school in P.5 because her grandparents figured; she would die soon, so they wanted to save the money spent on her school fees.
But Namutebi’s best friend who lived in the same village spoke to Namutebi, saying you are going to die without ever seeing Kampala and asked her to visit Kampala. Namutebi accepted, she arrived in Kampala and met Lydia Kyomuhendo.
By then she was about 16 or 17 years in late 1986. It was during Ramadan, the fasting period for Muslims but still battling the mysterious illness when Lydia informed her.
Later, her best friend Kyomuhendo asked her to become a born-again Christian, but since both were young and stubborn, Namutebi did not take her seriously.
But one-day Kyomuhendo turned up with another young lady named Deborah and that girl prophesized upon Namutebi’s life saying. “You are going to be a great prophet, you will take the gospel to nations, and God will use you to do mighty works.”
But Namutebi hadn’t yet accepted Christ, and after she was done by her prophecy, Namutebi picked up her mat and went to a room for her Muslim prayers. “There, on the mat, I broke into powerful spiritual tongues. I had a long, powerful divine visitation in that room, I cannot describe it, when I was finally able to leave my mysterious sickness was also gone. I have never been afflicted since that day.”
Namutebi got healed of her sickness just after Deborah prophesized upon her life.
And because of what Deborah had prophesied, Namutebi felt an overwhelming love for God. She immediately unfastened the talisman she always wore around her waist and threw it away and started a life of prayer and seeking God.
After accepting Christ, Namutebi started on a journey of indescribable poverty and prayer. Lydia then introduced her to Pastor Robert Kayanja’s church and started fellowshipping at Lubaga Miracle Centre.
Lydia Namutebi’s best friend till today ministers both at Namutebi’s church and at Lubaga Miracle Centre. Namutebi started testifying and preaching in-home cells, in different districts.
By then Namutebi was staying at the church but she had to leave because girls were not encouraged to stay at the church for decency purposes.
Church Ministry
Namutebi moved to Kibuli – Mutajazi between 1990 and 1993 and with friends they started a home cell. It is at Kibuli that Pastor Isaac Kyobe Kiwewesi met her and together they started Kasanga Miracle Centre.
Namutebi stayed with Kiwewesi for five years and then moved on to start Liberty Worship Centre in 1998.
Liberty started at Mumbejja Muggale’s home in Mengo Ku nfudu and after five years, the church acquired land in Lugala and occupied it on August 24, 2003.
Namutebi then joined a small Bible Institute at Pastor Kayanja’s Church, where they attended night classes basically to learn the Bible. But she as well learnt immense prayer and fasting that she found at the church and she was inspired by Pastor Kayanja’s life story.
Namutebi who was a practising Muslim is aggressive when it comes to prayer because of her Islamic background. Muslims are always passionate when it comes to their God. She had great faith, she believed in God even when she had nothing.
In 1994, while in a 40-day fast just after she had lost her mother, in the process she had from God “Give me what is mine, and I will give you what is yours”.
Namutebi asked God what she can give Him since she was poor, and God answered “Whatever I ask you to give to somebody else, just obey me. Your wealth is in heavenly store.” Today, she walks by that principle and God taught her how to give.
Pastor Imelda Namutebi Kula has given away 167-170 cars, several houses and touched countless lives from the time she started the ministry.
Favourite Food
Imelda Kula Namutebi loves traditional African food. She’s a good cook as well. When she travels, she loves eating at McDonald’s.
Family
Imelda Namutebi Kula married Pastor Thomas Kula of Liberty Worship Centre International Lugala and together they have children.
Pastor Thomas Kula, the husband of Pastor Imelda, died on Thursday, June 17, 2021, after a short illness, according to a statement from the church.
In a Facebook post, the Liberty family announced the passing of its beloved pastor, Thomas Kula, at 2 pm. “Liberty family with great sorrow announces the passing on of our dear father and loving kind pastor Dr Thomas Kula today at 2 pm,”
