Watoto Church has officially launched the 2025 Christmas Cantata, unveiling significant changes for this year’s edition. The announcement was made at Watoto Church Downtown, marking what leaders describe as a “new and exciting chapter” for the long-standing annual production.
This year’s Cantata, themed “Son of God,” will run from 17 to 22 December 2025 and, for the first time ever, will be held outdoors at Old Kampala Senior Secondary School. The venue change is intended to accommodate the rapidly growing audience the production attracts each year.
For 40 years, the Christmas Cantata has been staged at Watoto Church Downtown. However, with the hall seating only about 1,200 people, many have repeatedly missed out due to limited space.
The shift to Old Kampala Senior Secondary School opens the doors to over 50,000 people, creating a more vibrant, spacious, and festive environment for Kampala city dwellers.
The Christmas Cantata remains one of Uganda’s most cherished annual productions—bringing together music, dance, drama, audio-visual displays, and beloved Christmas songs to share the story of Jesus and the message of God’s love. This year’s show involves over 1,000 performers and crew members.
Speaking at the launch, Julius Rwotlonyo, Senior Pastor and Team Leader of Watoto Church Ministries, emphasized the desire to reach more people with the Christmas message.
“Christmas Cantata is our gift to the city,” he said. “This year, we want more people to see the show, hear the message of Christmas, and remember that Jesus is the reason for the season. By moving the Cantata outdoors, we can now welcome ten times more people for each show.”
Pastor Rwotlonyo also unveiled a new addition to the celebrations—The City’s Carols Night, scheduled for Wednesday, 17 December 2025 at 7:30pm, featuring churches across Kampala coming together. The night will include the lighting of what is expected to become Africa’s tallest Christmas tree.
From 19 to 22 December, the main production, “Son of God,” will run every evening at 7:30pm.
Pastor Edward Mwesigye, Pastoral Team Leader, expressed his excitement about the new venue:
“Christmas is a season of hope, and we want everyone to experience that hope in a meaningful way. By moving to Old Kampala Senior Secondary School, we are opening the doors wider than ever before so families, young people, and communities can celebrate the birth of Jesus together.”
Graham Tugume, Pastor for Worship Arts, highlighted the creative ambition behind this year’s production:
“Our team has poured heart and excellence into bringing the story of Jesus to life in a dynamic, engaging, and unforgettable way. The outdoor experience allows us to stretch our creativity with bigger sets, bigger sound, and a bigger story that will resonate deeply with everyone who attends.”
The Cantata is supported by several media partners, including Next Media, Vision Group, Nation Media Group, PowerFM, and transport partner SafeBoda.
A representative from Next Media noted their pride in supporting a production that has become a treasured Christmas tradition:
“Supporting the Cantata is part of our commitment to uplifting wholesome stories that inspire our nation.”
Vision Group echoed this sentiment:
“Christmas Cantata embodies hope, joy, and togetherness, and we are honoured to help share that message with the entire country.”
SafeBoda also expressed enthusiasm:
“We are excited to partner with Watoto Church as the official transporter. We look forward to contributing to the Christmas experience with safe and reliable transportation for those attending.”
For 41 years, Watoto Church has served communities through spiritual growth and practical support. With more than 35,000 attendees across 18 campuses in Uganda and South Sudan, the church continues to share God’s love and positively impact lives.