Uganda Baptist Seminary is a cooperative ministry between the Baptist Mission of Uganda, the Baptist Union of Uganda and World Venture International. The Governing Council of the seminary is composed of membership from these three bodies. UBS operates with a constitution and by-laws containing a statement of faith. The Governing council meets three times a year to decide the needs of the seminary.
UBS began in 1988 through the plans of the Baptist Mission of Uganda. From the beginning the seminary operated from a decentralized approach to theological training in the context of authentic Baptist ministry. Seminary students come for short intensive classroom training three times a year for four weeks of training.
Timeline of Uganda Baptist Seminary
1988 The Baptist Mission of Uganda and the Baptist Union of Uganda sent a request for a theological educator. Rev. Jack Frost answered that request and moved to Uganda to start a seminary in Jinja, Uganda. The first class, held in a classroom of Nile Baptist Church, began with a Diploma course.
1989 Nile Baptist Church was given a donation to locate UBS in Jinja Town. Land of 2.6 acres was secured on Plot 13-17 Bishop Willigers Road, Rubaga Hill, Jinja, Uganda.
1996 UBS Board of Governors was established, including members from the Baptist Mission of Uganda, Baptist Union of Uganda, and World Venture Uganda.
2003 UBS joined the National Council of Higher Education.
2005 Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (SEBTS), in North Carolina, USA, initiated a partnership with UBS to offer Master of Theology degree; UBS enrolment reached 150 students.
2006 NCHE awarded provisional license to offer Diploma level award at UBS.
2010 NCHE awarded full accreditation for Diploma education; classrooms and dormitories were expanded.
2011 UBS sent out three national missionaries within Uganda.
2012 SEBTS continued its masters level partnership; additional classroom/chapel constructed.
2014 Peak enrolment of 495 students was reached.
2015 Founder Principal Jack Frost retired. UBS continued to expand the faculty.
2016 NCHE awarded provisional license to offer a Bachelor of Theology Degree Programme.
2017 UBS celebrated having graduated 1,000 students.
2018 UBS celebrated its 30th Anniversary.
2019 The dining hall was expanded to seat more students and was renamed: The Godby Dining Hall.
2020 UBS, like the rest of the world, must suspend their ministry due to COVID-19.
2022 UBS employs five full-time faculty, fifteen part-time lecturers, and twenty support staff, the majority of whom are Ugandans. There are currently three missionary partners working full-time. Students attend from Uganda and all neighboring countries including South Sudan, Sudan, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, and DRC.