For the first time in 40 years, Watoto Church has made the decision to host its annual Christmas cantata outdoors.
The event will take place at the Old Kampala Senior Secondary School grounds. The grand production, themed “Son of God,” is scheduled for December 19-22, 2025.
Pastor Edward Mwesigye, Watoto’s pastoral team leader, said the relocation from the traditional Watoto Church auditorium is aimed at accommodating the ever-growing audience that flocks to the church each year. He noted that the church expects more than 50,000 attendees this year, a move that will eliminate the long queues and capacity constraints experienced during previous editions.
“Kampala has grown, [and] our downtown venue can no longer hold the thousands who want to be part of this experience,” Mwesigye explained.
“Moving outdoors means more space, more joy, and a bigger impact while still keeping the event completely free.”
The shift outdoors also means a major scheduling change. Watoto’s Pastor for Worship Arts, Graham Tugume, emphasized that the new venue increases capacity, allowing the church to run four massive shows instead of the usual 17 smaller ones.
“With virtually limitless space, even those who arrive close to show time stand a great chance of getting a good seat,” Tugume said.
He described this year’s cantata as the church’s most ambitious production ever, following thousands of hours of preparation.
“From singers and dancers to multimedia teams and actors, many begin preparing as early as August, not because they are paid, but because they love their city and they love God,” he added.
Carols night and Africa’s tallest tree
In addition to the cantata, Pastor Mwesigye announced the City’s Carols Night on December 17. This one-night event will bring together multiple churches, choirs, and worship teams for Kampala’s largest Christmas carols service, followed by the lighting of what is expected to be Africa’s tallest Christmas tree.
The cantata production shapes personal and family traditions for many. Eddie Okila, who has attended for more than 20 years, shared his devotion.
“What keeps us coming back is how the story of Christmas is always told in a new and refreshing way,” he said. “Each time, it feels like you’re discovering the story again. Now many of us who started attending as young people are coming back with our children.”
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