By Michael Ainomugisha
In a divine vision in the temple, Isaiah says he heard the Lord ask: “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” And the prophet willingly replied: “Here I am! Send me.”
That is the scripture that the Rev. John Walter Aboo quoted as we began our conversation during an interview that he granted UCU Partners on the third weekend of February 2026. He said the vocation of ministry was never an afterthought, but a conviction that grew steadily from his childhood days.
Rev. John Walter Aboo (right) with his friend, Rev. John Charles Odeke. Both are from the North Karamoja Diocese and are currently pursuing Diploma in Theology at the UCU Mbale campus.
“I have had this call for a long time. Even when I was still young in the church, I had that eagerness to do ministry,” Aboo said during the interview at the Uganda Christian University (UCU) Mbale University College, where he is currently pursuing Diploma in Theology, with sponsorship from UCU Partners.
Raised in a family of small-scale farmers in Abim district in north-eastern Uganda, Aboo completed his O’level education at Lotuke Seed Secondary School in Abim. After Senior Four, continuing formal education was not immediately possible. Instead of seeking work elsewhere, he chose to serve in the church.
He began as a youth leader and later served as a church helper at St. Mary’s Church of Uganda, Achangali in Abim district. His dedication did not go unnoticed. The clergy in the diocese identified his potential and encouraged him to pursue further training.
He was first sent to Bishop Lee Rayfield Leadership College in Kitgum, northern Uganda, for a Lay Reader course, which he completed in two years. After serving as a lay reader, the church mobilized resources to support him for certificate training at Archbishop Janani Luwum Theological College in Gulu.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, much of the study shifted online. Accessing lessons required persistence. “Sometimes we missed lessons because of challenges, but we soldiered on,” he recalls.
Upon completing his course, he was ordained a deacon and posted to St. John Church of Uganda Aridai parish in Abim district. Aboo was one of the people who helped to establish this parish. He is now serving at Lotuke Archdeaconry in Abim district as a curate.
His decision to pursue further theological study is rooted in both calling and context. North Karamoja Diocese covers four districts, yet the number of clergy remains limited.
“When you look at North Karamoja Diocese, the number of workers is not enough. But I am not here only because of that. I am here because God has called me,” Aboo says.
“We are here (in the university) to gain knowledge so that when we go back, we can do ministry without fear or favor,” he explains.
Rev. Aboo is a husband of Vicky and father of Paska Amaro-Rwot, Shadrach Ogen-Rwot and Michael Pi-Rwot. His family, which also includes two dependents – Isaac Opio and Benson Ogwang – relies primarily on farming for survival. Despite the demands of family life, he views theological education as an investment in both ministry and community transformation.
When reflecting on what shaped his commitment most, he points to the realities of life in Karamoja: “Sometimes people do not see the Word of God as important. I felt that if God could use me to help transform lives, to help people change from raiding other people’s cattle and turn to other ways of living, then I should respond.”
For him, ministry is about guiding communities toward stability, faith and hope.
Now in his second semester, he describes his studies as demanding, but rewarding. Coursework is rigorous, but he remains focused.
“We are busy with assignments; we are learning well,” he says.
He believes education strengthens not only the individual minister but also the church’s long-term future.
“They have seen that knowledge is power. In the future, the Church will need people who have the knowledge and the experience to guide others,” he adds.
Being selected for further study was a moment of joy for Aboo.
“I was so happy,” he recalls. “In my family, no one has reached this level of education before. I am the first.” He hopes that this step will open doors for others in his community.
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