IN PICTURES: Canon Chapman's 45-year legacy in Uganda honoured
Rt. Rev Wilberforce Kityo Luwalira expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Dr Ken Chapman for his unwavering love and dedication to Uganda, which went beyond his professional obligations.
Canon Dr Ken Chapman expressed deep appreciation for the Kabaka of Buganda for recognising him and his work and thanked Ugandans for teaching him Luganda, which had simplified his work in mission and profession. (Credit: Willy Ssemanda)
By John Musenze
Journalists @New Vision
Chapman expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Ugandan community, the Church, and the professionals he had worked alongside. (All Photos by Willy Ssemanda) Cake cutting Photo moments with Canon Dr Ken Chapman. Barbra Kaija, one of the board members of the LIFE Ministry with the Chapmans. At the farewell ceremony, heartfelt tributes poured in from individuals who had been mentored, medically treated, and spiritually guided by the Chapmans. Many affectionately referred to Dr Chapman as "a man who walks in the light", while others described him as a shining example of a life devoted to his faith. With profound gratitude, everyone who took the microphone thanked him for selflessly dedicating his life to serving Uganda. Dr Chapman, wife Lynn receive gifts from LIFE Ministry Uganda officials. Barbra Kaija, the Vision Group Editor-in-Chief, and one of the board members of the LIFE Ministry Uganda talking to the Makerere University Council Chairperson Rona Magara. Mengo Hospital ED Dr Simon Peter Nsingo greets the Chapmans. Dr Chapman, his wife Lynn, the LIFE Ministry Uganda community and Bishop Luwalira, the retired Bishop of Namirembe Diocese. Dr Chapman with some of the Ugandan dentists whom he groomed.
KAMPALA - Namirembe Guest House was filled with emotion, warmth, and gratitude as friends and colleagues bid farewell to Canon Dr Ken Chapman and his family, whose 45-year journey of faith, mentorship, and healthcare transformation had left an indelible mark on the nation.
As the Chapmans prepare to return to the United States, LIFE Ministry Uganda and partners from across the country gathered to celebrate their impact.
Canon Dr Ken Chapman, now 74, first arrived in Uganda in 1979 as a missionary under LIFE Ministry Uganda, an affiliate of Campus Crusade for Christ International (CCCI).
Through the coordination of Bishop Mensusera Bugimbi, then Director of East Africa and Uganda Campus Crusade for Christ, Dr Chapman was sent to Uganda, initially signing up for just two years.
However, he soon realised the immense need for dental care and chose to stay, dedicating his career to developing modern dentistry in Uganda. At the time, Mengo Hospital urgently needed a dentist.
Over the decades, his work transformed the field, inspiring and training a generation of Ugandan dental professionals while also supporting gospel missions in Uganda.
He played a pivotal role in establishing and expanding the Mengo Hospital Dental Clinic, beginning with its inception in 1980. Over the years, he has contributed to its growth, including employing him as the first Public Health Dental Officer (PHDO) in 1981, training students from Makerere University's dental school, and overseeing the clinic's expansion to ten chairs in 2005.
Through his dedication and perseverance, the Mengo Hospital Dental Clinic has become largely self-sustaining, acquiring cutting-edge equipment, including dental chairs, a 3D digital x-ray unit, and a CAD CAM unit. These advancements have significantly enhanced the ability to provide top-notch dental care to our patients.
His contributions earned him national recognition, including an honour from His Majesty Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II during the Kabaka’s 68th birthday celebration. In 2024, he was appointed Canon of the West Buganda Diocese in recognition of his lifelong service.
Lynn Chapman, who joined Campus Crusade for Christ in 1988, arrived in Uganda a year later as a nurse with Community Health Evangelism. For decades, she served faithfully at Mengo Hospital, caring for patients and mentoring young medical professionals.
Together, the Chapmans dedicated themselves to mentorship, leadership development, and Christian discipleship under Leader Strategies, a department of LIFE Ministry Uganda.
The couple raised their daughters, Brianna and Sophia, along with many other spiritual sons and daughters, fully embracing Uganda as their home. They poured their lives into empowering others spiritually and professionally, leaving behind a legacy of transformed lives.
Tributes
At the farewell ceremony, heartfelt tributes poured in from individuals who had been mentored, medically treated, and spiritually guided by the Chapmans.
Many affectionately referred to Dr Chapman as "a man who walks in the light", while others described him as a shining example of a life devoted to his faith. With profound gratitude, everyone who took the microphone thanked him for selflessly dedicating his life to serving Uganda.
Rt. Rev Wilberforce Kityo Luwalira expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Dr Ken Chapman for his unwavering love and dedication to Uganda, which went beyond his professional obligations.
Rev Luwalira noted that many expatriates have resided in Uganda for years without making an effort to learn the local language, whereas the Chapmans took the initiative to learn Luganda and now speak it fluently, even surpassing some native Ugandans.
"As a dental doctor, Dr Chapman recognised the importance of effective communication with his patients and thus took the time to learn Luganda," Rev Luwalira remarked. "We are truly thankful to God for the Chapmans' selflessness."
Rev Luwalira praised Dr Chapman's commitment to learning Luganda, highlighting his love for God and the people of Uganda.
"He has surrendered his life to serving others, and we are grateful for his remarkable example," Rev Luwalira added, encouraging everyone to follow the Chapmans' lead by sharing their blessings with others.
Dr Farai Katsande, the Global Vice President of Campus Crusade for Christ International (CCCI) in Africa, spoke about the Chapmans' unwavering commitment to faith and service.
“Ken, I do not know how I can describe the sacrifice you have made over the past 45 years. Thank you for your commitment, sacrifice, and forgoing everything, including your career, to invest your life in Africa (Uganda),” Katsande said.
Katsande noted that as campus crusaders, they are deeply grateful to be associated with people like the Chapmans and applauded Lynn for the love she has shown to everyone.
David Wataba, the National Director of LIFE Ministry Uganda, applauded all the current and former employees of LIFE Ministry Uganda who served alongside the Chapmans and changed many lives.
“They dedicated all their Mengo Hospital salaries to the ministry. They led many souls to Christ because as they carried out their professional work, they spread the gospel at the hospital, through medical camps, and other missions.
Wataba noted that LIFE Ministry is grateful for their legacy, which will forever be honoured.
Dr James Magara, one of Uganda’s finest dental surgeons and one of the first two Ugandan-trained dentists who benefitted from Dr Chapman’s mentorship, recalled the time Uganda introduced the dental surgery course but lacked resources, a gap that Dr Chapman helped to fill.
“We were ten students who began the dental surgery course in bachelor’s degree at Makerere University. By the third year, eight had dropped out, and I, along with Dr Wamala, was taken on and mentored by Dr Chapman at his clinic in Mengo Hospital,” Magara said.
Dr Magara noted that Chapman is the father of dentistry in Uganda, having trained and mentored many. The Ken Chapman can never be erased from Uganda’s healthcare transformation and excellence history.
"Ken didn’t just bring dental care to Uganda; he brought healing in every sense—physical, spiritual, and emotional. His impact will live on in the many he mentored and trained."
Dr Simon Peter Nsingo, the Executive Director of Mengo Hospital, thanked Dr Chapman for his dedicated service to the hospital throughout his years in Uganda.
“Today, we (Mengo Hospital) have one of Africa’s leading dental clinics because of Dr Chapman. We are going to build a hospital complex in honour of his legacy, which will help train doctors, provide treatment, and serve as a centre for dental research in the country,” Nsingo noted.
Thank You for Loving Us – The Chapmans
As the event drew to a close, Canon Dr Ken Chapman, who locally preferred to be called Mwesigwa Kigozi, took the stage with his wife, Lynn. His voice filled with emotion, he spoke in Luganda: "Mukama yebazimbwe bannange, nsanyuse nnyo okulaba," thanking everyone for loving him throughout his life in Uganda.
He recalled his time as a bachelor before meeting his dear wife, Lynn, the early days of establishing the dentistry department at Makerere University in 1982, and another at Uganda Christian University.
He expressed deep appreciation for the Kabaka of Buganda for recognising him and his work and thanked Ugandans for teaching him Luganda, which had simplified his work in mission and profession.
He also expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Ugandan community, the Church, and the professionals he had worked alongside.
With 70% of his speech in Luganda, he thanked Ugandans “Mwebale nnyo okunjagala bannange ne family yange.”
Lynn Chapman likewise thanked the people of Uganda for welcoming them with open arms.
“We are leaving, but our hearts are in the shape of Africa.”
As the Chapmans prepare to return to the U.S., LIFE Ministry Uganda affirms that their legacy will continue. Their decades of service align with the ministry’s ongoing mission—to evangelise, disciple, and equip leaders across Uganda.
From the dental professionals they trained to the church leaders they mentored, the Chapmans' impact will ripple through generations. Their work was never about them—it was about building people, strengthening faith, and transforming lives. As they bid farewell, Uganda does not say goodbye, but rather, thank you.