The Founders

Fr. Joseph Kakooza-Nnyanzi was born in 1957 and raised and educated in Uganda. He was ordained a Catholic priest in the Kasana-Luweero Diocese on July 27, 1985. Since his ordination, Fr. Joe has served in several parishes. From 1990 to 1992, Fr. Joe studied Pastoral Theology at the University of Notre Dame and served at Holy Family Parish in South Bend, Indiana. Apart from parish ministry, Fr. Joe was also the treasurer of his diocese for 12 years. Currently, Fr. Joe is the rector/administrator of the Kasana Cathedral Parish and the coordinator of diocesan lands and investments.

Fr. Emmanuel Katongole, brother of Fr. Joe, was also born and raised in Uganda. He was ordained a Catholic priest in the Kampala Archdiocese in 1987. Fr. Emmanuel has served in parishes in Uganda, Belgium, and the United States. He spent several years teaching at Duke University  where he co-founded the Divinity School's Center for Reconciliation. He is currently a faculty member in the University of Notre Dame's Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies. He is also the founder of another Ugandan project, Bethany Land Institute, near the site of Bethany Miracle Village. 

Team USA

President: Carsten Schmidt
Vice President: Kurtt Matthys
Treasurer: Tim Costello
Secretary: Stacey Brandt
Jack Matthys (Strategic Planning)
​Lara Matthys (Education)
Andrea Mulholland (Health)

Team Uganda
Coordinator: Michael Kakooza

Antony Isanga
Mary Gorret Nalwanga (Secretary)
Janet Nakitto (Scholarship Coordinator)
Sarah Namulondo