From Streets to
Salvation
The complete transformation story of Apastle Richard Zziwa - from gang leader "Wrong Number" to the founder of Gospel Arise in Slums Ministries
Born into
Rejection
My name is Richard Zziwa. I was born and raised in Namugoona, the only child from my mother and father. When my father remarried, I found myself living with a stepmother and five step-siblings who saw me as an outsider.
Daily torture became my reality. My stepmother would call me "mulambo" - meaning "a dead person." Despite excelling in all three levels of education with good grades, nothing changed. The more I grew, the more intense the mistreatment became.
After completing Senior Six, I was sent away from home. With nowhere to go and no knowledge of where to find my biological mother or any relatives, I made a desperate decision that would change my life forever - I headed to the streets of Kampala.
The Pain That Shaped Me
- • Called "mulambo" (dead person) daily
- • Mistreated despite academic success
- • Cast out after Senior Six completion
- • No family support or guidance
- • Forced onto Kampala's dangerous streets
The streets became my only home
Becoming "Wrong Number"
Life on the streets forced me into a world I never imagined - a world of survival at any cost
Street life introduced me to unimaginable hardships. With no food, no shelter, and no hope, I was forced to join gangs involved in drugs and stealing just to survive another day.
I became a drug addict, a thief, and a gangster. My shelter was a public toilet in Mengo Kijambiya - the police wouldn't search there, so it became my "safe" place to sleep. Every morning, I'd return to the streets to smoke weed and steal for survival.
As I adapted to ghetto life, I learned the brutal hierarchy of the streets. Eventually, I rose to lead a group of over 50 thieves. They would bring me what they stole, and I had "upgraded" from stealing from civilians to stealing from other thieves. The streets knew me as "Wrong Number" - a name that would define my darkest years.
Gang Leader "Wrong Number"
The Daily Reality
- • Sleeping in public toilets
- • Leading 50+ thieves
- • Daily drug addiction
- • Constant hunger and fear
- • No hope for tomorrow
- • Known as "Wrong Number"
The Night Everything Changed
One robbery would become my divine appointment with destiny
The Nakumati Mission
One fateful night, my gang and I had a mission at Nakumati - a place where rich people gathered for parties. When we arrived, we discovered another gang of thieves already operating there.
As the leader, I called out to one of them. They knew me as "Wrong Number," so he immediately gave me a phone he had stolen, along with its memory card. I told him to go back and steal another phone.
After completing our mission successfully, we returned to the ghetto to celebrate with drugs, rejoicing over our large haul from the wealthy location.
The Song That Changed Everything
The next morning, I remembered the memory card from the stolen phone. When no one wanted to buy it, I decided to keep it and search for music on my small phone.
The first song on the card was "Oli Katonda" (You Are God). The rhythm caught my attention - I had always loved music since childhood. I listened for the beat, not really focusing on the message at first.
"Ndi gamba abaana bange ela balikuyita Katonda"
"I will tell my children and they will call you God"
When I heard that verse, something triggered deep in my mind. I looked at myself - sitting in the ghetto, hopeless, useless, with nothing. A voice inside me asked:"WHAT WILL YOU TELL YOUR CHILDREN?"
I found myself crying on my knees. I had never experienced anything like this before. Then I heard a clear voice telling me: "GO TO CHURCH."
From Dreadlocks
to Discipleship
The journey from "Wrong Number" to beloved son of God
A new man in Christ
The only pastors I knew were Pastor Robert Kayanja at Miracle Center and Pastor Wilson Bugembe. I didn't want to go where people might recognize me as a thief, so I choseThe Worship House - Pastor Wilson Bugembe's church.
I walked in as a Rasta man with long dreadlocks, filled with fear. But they didn't look at my appearance - they welcomed me with open arms and genuine love.
When the service ended, they called for an altar call. That day, I gave my life to Jesus Christ. Everything changed from that moment.
The church welcomed me into their programs. I started discipleship classes, got mentored, and began to fall in love with church life. When I gave my testimony, the congregation was moved - they even collected money to help me with rent.
The Church's Love
- • Welcomed despite my appearance
- • Provided discipleship and mentoring
- • Collected money for my rent
- • Gave me a platform to testify
- • Showed me Jesus' unconditional love
From Testimony
to Ministry
The Song "Salvation"
I am an artist, songwriter, and director. After my first sermon where they taught that when you give your life to Christ, there's a party in heaven with angels rejoicing, I was inspired to write a song called "Salvation."
This became a hit song in the kingdom. People started following my story, inviting me to TV stations, radio shows, schools, and churches to testify and sing. The song blessed me tremendously, and nations welcomed me.
Ghetto Church Tubonge
God gave me a vision to return to the ghetto and preach the gospel to my people who were still trapped in that life. He gave me the name "Ghetto Church Tubonge" - meaning "the ghetto and church can come together."
This outreach happens every December 5th - the day I was born - so I can celebrate with my family and friends in the ghetto, sharing the hope I found.
Ministering to the broken
The Birth of Gospel Arise in Slums Ministries
The Vision
God gave me another vision - to help young street children and single mothers. Most children in ghettos and streets are results of neglect and torture, often children of gangsters with no place to call home.
Single teenage mothers often result from rape, torture from husbands, and mistreatment. God provided for this vision a ministry we now call Gospel Arise in Slums Ministries - A Home for Champions.
The COVID-19 Conviction
During COVID-19, we encountered cases of single mothers killing themselves and their children because they lacked food, leading to depression with no choice but death.
The Holy Spirit convicted me to start helping single mothers and their children. This expanded our ministry beyond street children to include entire families in crisis.
Transforming Uganda
From leading thieves to leading transformation across Uganda
Current Ministries
- Ghetto Church Tubonge: Street fellowships and outreaches across Uganda
- Ghetto Church Tubonge: Annual celebration and outreach
- Smile with Street Children: Rehabilitation and care programs
- Medical Camps: Healthcare, food, clothing, and scholarships
- Gang Rehabilitation: Mentoring former gang members into useful citizens
The Big Vision
We have a vision to purchase large tracts of land and build comprehensive facilities including:
- 🏠 Homes for street children
- 🏫 Schools and educational institutions
- 🏥 Medical centers and clinics
- ⚽ Recreation centers
- 🌾 Agricultural farms
- 🏨 Hotels and hospitality training
- 🎓 Universities and higher learning
- 🏥 Rehabilitation centers
A Living Testimony
"God used me to start up ghetto church where we do fellowships in ghettos and on streets. We now go around the streets of Uganda preaching the word of God, and we have seen a very big change - many children are turning to Christ."
- Ap Richard Zziwa, Founder of Gospel Arise in Slums Ministries
Join the Transformation
If God can transform a gang leader into a pastor, He can use anyone. Be part of bringing hope to Uganda's most vulnerable communities.
Visit Us
Nansana Kibwa Gadaffi Road
East 2B Zone, Uganda
Call Us
+256 702 487 070
Available 24/7
Email Us
gospelariseinslum@gmail.com
We respond within 24 hours