‘The decision I made to serve God has transformed my life’

By William Opio

It’s about 9 a.m. at St. Florence Hostel, a place with 12 rooms and students from different parts of my country, speaking at least four languages. I’m sitting in my small room that doesn’t have a proper bed — just two 6’x5” mattresses piled up to make one. Opposite my mattress lies a silver medal from the Inter-University Debate Championship on press freedom, where, in May 2025, I emerged as the first runner-up. It’s the first thing I see every morning when I open my eyes.

In the corner, there’s a TV placed on my old sofa set seat. Not the best setup, but it works. The morning sun slips quietly through the window, lighting up my room softly. As I sit on my cozy mattress, thoughts come rushing in, and I feel it’s the perfect moment to write about my life — a story marked by unexpected turns, God’s grace and personal growth.

I come from a family of six boys and no girls. I’m the third born, but there’s something unique about “third.”  I was born a triplet — with a boy and a girl — in Asinge “A”, Osukuru sub-county in Tororo district. Sadly, I never got to meet my two siblings because they died at a tender age. I’ve always been called the “miracle” of the family. My parents in this eastern Uganda village kept trying for a baby girl, but all their attempts led to boys, making us six in total. 

I grew up in a Christian family, where many of the things young people consider “fun” were off-limits. One thing I always wanted to do was go clubbing without being questioned or stopped. I was just waiting for the right time.

When I joined the Mukono campus of Uganda Christian University (UCU) in 2023 for a Bachelor of Journalism, Media, and Communication, I saw it as my opportunity to finally live freely. Almost every weekend, I went out to bars. It felt like I was ticking off something I had long desired. But here’s the funny part: I would go to a bar on Saturday night and still wake up for church on Sunday morning at exactly 7 a.m. I was living a double life. In church, I wore one face, and outside, I wore another. I struggled with this life because deep down, I knew who I truly was.

What helped me hold on was the decision not to judge myself. Even though I partied, I always showed up in church. I never let go of my identity in God. I knew I could always return to Him, no matter what I had done. 

Over time, I began reflecting on my actions. I asked myself the hard questions: Why am I really doing all this? What am I chasing? As my second semester approached, I decided it was time to seek more than just a routine with God. I wanted a real relationship.

That’s when I joined Worship Harvest Ministries. It’s a vibrant church with over 160 locations worldwide. I became part of the Mukono location, which is close to the university and very student-centered. I saw fellow students passionately serving God, and it inspired me. I felt I belonged. I was invited to start a Missional Community (MC), a small fellowship group that meets every Wednesday. Leading that group became my first real step in making disciples and growing in leadership. 

Things slowly began to make sense.

When I had first joined campus, my dad had given me money to find a shared hostel room. But hostel prices in the Mukono area were high. The money I had couldn’t even cover half of what was needed for a shared room. I found myself at St. Florence Hostel, asking the custodian if I could rent the room of an askari (security guard) because that was all I could afford. It wasn’t the most comfortable space, but I made it work. I stayed there for an entire semester, praying that things would get better.

William, left, with friends in his room

Just when I had decided to get serious about my faith, God began shifting things around. 

The custodian left the hostel unexpectedly. The owner, needing someone responsible to step in, chose me to be the new manager. Just like that, I moved into a better room and started receiving a small salary. When I told my parents, they were overjoyed and thanked God. From that point forward, I knew there was no turning back. I had tasted God’s goodness and favor firsthand.

As I continued my journey, I joined the media team at Worship Harvest. I began serving in projection, photography and lighting. Not long after, I was asked to lead the Teens Church — a Saturday gathering for teenagers. I embraced the responsibility and started serving with all my heart. Leading the teens changed me. I grew spiritually, emotionally, and mentally. I began to understand leadership, how to relate with people and how to disciple others.

This church family has taught me practical things — how to save money, how to honor people, how to date wisely, how to tithe, and how to live a life that reflects God’s principles. For the first time, I found a family outside my biological one. I felt loved, seen and supported.

In 2023 and at the age of 22, the decision I made to serve God has transformed my life in every area — academics, friendships, finances and personal growth. Today, I’m not just surviving on campus; I’m thriving in God’s purpose. My friends now look up to me as someone who has overcome things they’re still struggling with. I share my testimony freely – not out of pride but from a place of gratitude.

So, my name is William Opio. This is just part of my story. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: there’s a difference between knowing God and having a relationship with Him. My entire campus life has changed simply because I chose the relationship. 

God is still writing my story, and I trust Him with every chapter ahead. As I complete my degree this year and prepare to graduate from UCU in 2026, I can confidently say this: My campus life has been transformed through walking with God.

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William Opio is one of three new writers that Uganda Partners has within its training model. He is a freelancer doing one story a month, starting July 2025.  All three are sharing part of their own personal stories as a first assignment.