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Built on the Rock

Our purpose is to raise Christ-centred ministers, music ministers after God’s own heart, for the church in East Africa and beyond.

Our story

Before we were a school, we were a prayer fellowship

East African Gospel Academy was born at Easter and built on our knees. We knew the music we build is only as lasting as the foundation it stands on.

In Matthew 7, Jesus tells of two builders. Both houses looked the same from the outside, but when the rain came, one stood and one fell. We are not just training instrumentalists and vocalists. We are digging deep and building character, so that when storms come our graduates' ministry stands, built on the Rock, Christ Jesus.

Music is more than entertainment. It shapes identity, culture and belief. That is why we raise up music ministers after God's own heart.

Pastor Samson BukenyaFounding Pastor

A word from our founding pastor

“We are not raising performers. We are raising worshipers.”

When we started, we had a small group of young people, a burden for the church in East Africa, and a conviction that God wanted to raise a generation of musicians who would carry His presence, not just a melody.

So we prayed. That prayer fellowship became a school, and by God's grace thousands of lives have been touched since. Our students lead worship in churches, schools and communities, and some have gone on to open music schools of their own.

Jesus said the wise builder dug deep and laid his foundation on the rock. That is still our calling. Talent can fill a stage, but only character built on Christ will stand when the storms come. If God has placed a song in your heart, come and let us build on the Rock together.

Pastor Samson BukenyaFounding Pastor, East African Gospel Academy

“East African Gospel Academy will be a light that shines in the darkness, a premier music institution, a model of relevance in transforming lives through music and reaching the world for Christ.”Our vision

Team and staff

The people who teach and lead

Musicians, media practitioners and ministry leaders who serve our students every week.

Pastor Samson Bukenya

Founding Pastor

Academy Director

Leadership

Head of Music

Music faculty

Vocal Coach

Music faculty

Instrument Tutor

Music faculty

Head of Church Media

Media faculty

Church Administration Tutor

Administration faculty

Admissions Officer

Student office

Mentors

Walking with every student

Mentors disciple students in prayer and the Word, and guide them in ministry.

Spiritual Mentor

Prayer and discipleship

Worship Leading Mentor

Worship Collective

Songwriting Mentor

Artists Development

Children's Mentor

Little Worshipers, ages 6 to 12

Teen Mentor

Teen Worship Leaders, ages 13 to 17

Family Mentor

Family Worship Partnership

Our values

What we stand on

Six convictions that shape how we teach, lead and live together.

01
Christ at the centre
Everything we teach points to Jesus.
02
Built on prayer
Prayer comes before every class and stage.
03
Character first
Integrity and humility over talent and applause.
04
Rooted in the Word
Worship grounded in Scripture and sound doctrine.
05
Excellence in craft
Skill in instrument, voice, production and media.
06
Sent to the nations
Serving the church across East Africa and beyond.

15 years of Kingdom impact

What God has done through faithful teachers, students and partners.

3,000+people impacted over 15 years

250students trained every year

4active training centres

3graduates who opened their own schools

Widely recognised by artists and church leaders in Uganda for preparing young people through the Academy
Raised youth leaders and mentors who are impacting lives across East Africa
Trusted partner of local and international organisations across the region
Proven positive impact on students’ cognitive, social and emotional development
Active programs in Uganda and Zimbabwe, with the Kaliro Program serving 100 to 150 musicians a year
Faithful people with a calling to impact the world through music, and the seed is still growing