By Nicolas Akasula
Smiling is second nature to Pastor Titus Masiga Oundo. His warm and inviting smile speaks volumes about the life he has lived and the faith that sustains him. Born on 11th March 1949 in Bugweri District, Uganda, Oundo is one of the founding fathers of Deliverance Church Uganda. Though retired, his life continues to inspire many.
Family, Education, career
The fifth of twelve siblings, Oundo was born into a peasant family. His parents toiled to raise school fees through cotton and rice farming and poultry rearing. Despite their limited means, they instilled Christian values in their children, even though they were nominal Christians themselves.
“My parents tried to teach us the fear of the Lord, but we did not care” Oundo recalls.
After completing his studies, Oundo trained as a Chartered Secretary (ACIS). He went on to lecture at Uganda College of Commerce, work as an assistant secretary at UNEB, and later serve as an administrator and finance officer at the Institute of Bankers. Yet, amid his professional success, God was calling him to full-time ministry.
Salvation journey, birth of Deliverance Church
Oundo’s journey of faith began at Nabumali High School. On October 31, 1966, he surrendered his life to Jesus Christ as his Lord and Saviour. This moment marked the beginning of a lifelong commitment to serve God.
Deliverance Church Uganda was born in 1967, during a time of spiritual revival. Inspired by the ministry of Dr Joe Kayo, a young evangelist who visited Nabumali High School, Oundo and his peers were filled with the Holy Spirit and began spreading the Gospel.
“God used us to disciple others. The power of the Holy Spirit was key in all we did. I was filled with the Holy Spirit in Senior Six,” Oundo recalls.
The movement faced opposition, especially from school authorities who feared the revival was disrupting academic life. Oundo recounts a memorable incident where the headmaster came to witness one of their fervent prayer sessions:
“He walked through the crowd and saw me praying for people to be filled with the Holy Spirit. I laid hands on the head girl, and she fell under the power of God. When I looked up, I saw the headmaster watching. But I was so charged with the Spirit that I continued. To my surprise, at the end of the term, he said, ‘What happened this term was of God,” Oundo says.
This spiritual awakening spread across Uganda, with students and alumni carrying the flame of revival. Notable among them is Justice Catherine Bamugemereire, who remains steadfast in her faith.
Call to full-time ministry
Though Oundo was flourishing in his career, the call to pastoral ministry grew louder. Pastor Nicholas Wafula encouraged him to consider full-time ministry, but Oundo hesitated due to financial concerns.
“I was used to a good salary,” he admits, adding: “Leaving my job felt like plunging back into poverty.”
God’s call became undeniable when a Church member left a note on his desk, expressing disappointment after waiting hours to see him. “I felt I had let God down by neglecting His flock,” he says. After much prayer, he resigned from his job on May 1, 1985, trusting God to provide.
Facing opposition
Quitting his job was not the only challenge. He had to convince his wife and mother of his decision. While his wife supported him after prayer, his mother was deeply concerned about how they would survive.
“She asked me, ‘What shall we eat?’” Oundo recalls. He assured her that the God who called him would provide—and He did. Oundo later fulfilled his promise to give his parents a dignified burial, laying them to rest in 2000 and 2012, respectively.
Life of faithfulness
Since answering the call, Oundo has witnessed God’s faithfulness. He has served as a pastor, author, consultant, and speaker, impacting countless lives. Even in retirement, he continues to serve, saying: “I am waiting for new assignments from the Master. Whatever He asks me to do, I will do.”
Reflections from others
Pastor Jairus Mutebe describes Oundo as “a giant in the faith.” He says: “Titus and his family are bigger than life yet humble. He has walked the road of holiness and remained steadfast in the Lord.”
Legacy of faith
From his humble beginnings to his pivotal role in the Deliverance Church movement, Pastor Titus Masiga Oundo’s life is a testimony of God’s grace and provision. His unwavering faith and commitment continue to inspire generations, proving that when God calls, He equips and sustains.
As Hebrews 11 reminds us, time would fail to recount all that the Lord has done through His faithful servant.
