We have had a presence in Northern Uganda
for more than 20 years
As a missionary organisation we have overseen developing people and communities through evangelism, health, leadership development, literacy and income generation projects. We are currently establishing a missionary base in Gulu, strengthening our infrastructure and pioneering in church planting, leadership and projects.
Who We Are
Founded in 2001, TEAMS (The East African Missionary Society) is a Christian organisation dedicated to working with families, children, adults and organisations in East Africa, predominately in the Northern part of Uganda. We are a registered UK charity (1096919) with a Ugandan NGO status and have had a presence in Uganda for 19 years.
What We Do
We work with local organisations and churches with a view to transform individuals and regional communities by implementing and running training programmes. We are also heavily involved in developing educational, health, agricultural and enterprise projects.
Our Reason
We are motivated by our Faith which is Christianity and our foundations and works are centered around Jesus Christ through whom we look to serve the poor and needy as an act of demonstrating the love of God for all people.
TEAMS exists to serve vulnerable people in this troubled part of the world by showing Christian love and support.
How Did We Start?
Mama Lucy, a local Ugandan national, kindly donated land for the church and any future developments. The missionary society was borne out of a vision for spiritual revival and social reform based in Gulu, Northern Uganda.
Through pioneering missionary work from 2000 onwards a church was built, multiple outreach and development programmes established and lives impacted.
Orphan, health, agricultural, local income generation, prison work and skills for life were some of the initiatives that were birthed out of the missionary ventures.
Mission Statement
To establish an integrated vision to bring the whole Gospel to transform lives, communities and nations through love, example, preaching, teaching, training, education and development.
Objectives
To advance the Christian faith in accordance with the Holy Bible, in Uganda and elsewhere, by carrying out and promoting biblical knowledge, education and research through love, example and whichever other peaceful means will fulfil this objective.
To relieve poverty, hardship and promote good health by the provision of information, development and services and other means required to relieve such needs.
Our Team Members
UK Board of Trustees
Duncan Watt, Chairman
Duncan Watt is a retired Chartered Surveyor and Businessman married to Rosalind in 1975. They have 2 children and 7 grandchildren.
Duncan first became involved with voluntary work in Africa in 2000 and has since completed more than 35 mission trips. He joined TEAMS UK Board in 2011 and TEAMS Uganda Board 3 years later.
Rosalind Watt
Rosalind Watt, married to Duncan in 1975, they have a son and daughter and 7 grandchildren. Rosalind was a Secondary School teacher specialising in the Arts and Craft subjects and English. Bought up in a Christian home she has been involved in children’s ministry for many years.
She has been involved with TEAMS since 2011 and is a member of both the UK and Ugandan Board.
Rev Bruce Thomson
Bruce Thomson married Margaret in 1971. They have two children.
Bruce had an interesting career including selling houses, building houses, working with overseas aid charities and more recently a Church of England vicar.
Bruce first got involved in overseas missions work in 1985. Since then he has served in Africa Asia and Eastern Europe. Bruce joined TEAMS UK board in 2020.
Ugandan Board Members
Duncan Watt, Chairman
Duncan Watt is Chairman of The East African Missionary Society
Rosalind Watt
Rosalind Watt is a member of both the UK and Ugandan Board.
Geoffrey Moro
Geoffrey Moro joined TEAMS in 2013 and is the CEO of TEAMS in Uganda. He is also Finance Director and IGA Loans Manager. Geoffrey is married to Vivian Apio and they have three children who range from 1 to 10 years old. They also have one other dependant family member at school.
Akera Anthony OkoT
Akera Anthony Okot has been with TEAMS since 2023 and is the senior Pastor of the Sanctuary Church and an Executive member of the TEAMS Ugandan board. Anthony’s wife Sunny (Seonmi Lim) is from South Korea. Although they have no children of their own, Anthony has 11 dependants from his late father and a brother, whose whereabouts are not known. These children range in age from 4 to 17 years.
Alfred Otim
Alfred Otim started with TEAMS in 2016, although his history with TEAMS began when he was a small child. As an orphan, Alfred was supported by the TEAMS Agape programme. He is in charge of Human Resources, he is IGA Loan officer, Finance Assistant and Child Sponsorship Co-ordinator. Alfred is married to Aber Winfred and they have a one-year-old son. They also partly support two school-aged children from Alfred’s late brother.
Christine Opaba
Christine Adokorach Opaba has worked for TEAMS since 2010 and is the Public Relations Officer and Child Support Programme Assistant. She is also a borehole attendant. Christine is widowed and has four adult children, three of whom are married. Since the death of her sister’s husband, Christine also takes care of her eight-year-old niece.
ASSISTANT PASTOR
Joel Okema is the Assistant Pastor of the Sanctuary Church, joining TEAMS in 2023. He also runs the Prison Ministry. Joel is married to Stella Alok and they have a daughter who is 1. Joel has a dependant 9 year old girl who helps the family by babysitting.
OUR UGANDAN Staff
SECURITY TEAM
DANIEL NYERO
Daniel Nyero has worked for TEAMS since 2017 and is Head of Security. He is also one of the team of Pastors in the Sanctuary Church. Daniel is also an ex-soldier. He and his wife Everline Alinga, have three children aged 6 to 14.
MARTIN ALWONG
Martin Alwong is Assistant Head of Security and has been with TEAMS since 2008. He is married to Teddy Adong and they have five children aged 7 to 21.
JIMMY OKAYA
Jimmy Okaya joined TEAMS in 2022. He is married to Kevin Latabu and they have two daughters aged 3 and 8.
EMMANUEL OPIO
Emmanuel Opio started working for TEAMS in 2024. He and his wife Santa Ajok have six children who range in age from 6 to 21.
The rest of the Staff
STEWARD OKELLO
Steward Okello started with TEAMS in 2024 and is the Site Maintenance Officer. He is married to Aciro Caroline Robert and they have two daughters aged 2 and 4. Steward also partly supports his younger brother.
NAOMI OKOT
Naomi Okot is TEAMS’ longest serving member of staff. Naomi joined in 2002 when she retired from nursing and works as a borehole attendant. She is married to Nickodemo Okot. They have had five children but only one is still alive. Naomi has four dependent children who range from 10 to 16 years old.
VICKY OKELLO
Vicky Akello started work with TEAMS in 2017. She is the Office Cleaner. She and her husband Samuel Ojogo have three children, whose ages range from 1 to 14.
GRACE ACAN
Grace Acan cooks daily for the staff using the on-site kitchen, although not employed directly by TEAMS. Grace has three children and also cares for her late brother’s 16-year-old daughter.
ADVISORS
GEOFF PURKISS
Geoff has been married to Chris since 1977. They have a son and a daughter and four grandchildren. Geoff is now retired having had a mixed career in farming, supermarket work and as assistant manager of a Christian Bookshop and Cafe.
For fun, Geoff likes to walk, especially on Dartmoor. He first became involved with TEAMS by joining the trip to Uganda in 2024.
ADRIAN FORD