History
The story of Lubangakene Ministries Uganda Limited (LMU) is deeply rooted in the tragic history of Northern Uganda and the personal journey of its founder, Shadrach Nyeko.
In 1987, Northern Uganda was plunged into chaos when Joseph Kony formed the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), a rebel group that terrorized the region for over two decades. The LRA’s brutal campaign involved abductions, killings, and the displacement of millions. Shadrach’s family, like many others, fled their home in Kitgum District and settled in Jinja in southeastern Uganda. The war not only destroyed homes and livelihoods but also eroded the spiritual and moral fabric of the affected communities.
During this time, Shadrach’s parents came to faith through local believers, but the instability prevented deep spiritual growth. Shadrach himself came to know Christ at age 11 after hearing the gospel from a visiting missionary team. His early years were marked by active participation in church activities, though his initial dream was to become an electrical engineer.
After high school, financial hardship prevented him from pursuing higher education, leading him to spend two years at home. This period became a turning point. Returning to his war-torn hometown, he joined his parents in church planting in Kitgum, where he witnessed firsthand the transformative power of the gospel in communities devastated by war and moral decay. This experience stirred in him a calling to full-time ministry.
Recognizing his gifts in preaching and teaching, his church leaders encouraged him to seek theological training. Through what he describes as divine providence, Shadrach was accepted to Bob Jones University in the United States, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Bible and a Master’s degree in Biblical Languages and Literature by 2020.
Upon returning to Uganda, Shadrach felt a clear calling to strengthen the church through sound theological training and church planting. He envisioned raising leaders who could help the church in Africa grow deeper in faith and resist false teachings. To support this mission, he established two key structures:
A mission board connection for partnerships and accountability with like-minded organizations abroad.
A local non-profit organization to provide legal and community accountability within Uganda.
In January 2021, this vision materialized with the incorporation of Lubangakene Ministries Uganda Limited (LMU), based in Karuma, Kiryandongo District. LMU’s mission is to evangelize, equip, and holistically shepherd communities toward Christ-likeness while addressing both spiritual and social needs.
Karuma, a highway settlement with a history of witchcraft and trauma, became LMU’s first mission field. Despite challenges such as the COVID-19 lockdowns, the ministry has made significant progress through community outreach, sports evangelism, and small Bible study cell groups that meet regularly in homes.
LMU continues to focus on church planting, theological training, and Christian education, aiming to restore hope and rebuild lives in a region long scarred by war. In May 2024, Shadrach married Cavine, who now partners with him in life and ministry, further strengthening the foundation of LMU’s mission to bring gospel transformation to Northern Uganda.