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2022-12-31-accounts

Uganda River of Life Ministries

UGANDA RIVER OF LIFE MINISTRIES Charity No. 1110595

Report of the Trustees and Unaudited Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2022

© UROLM Proprietary and Confidential Information Reg. Charity in England & Wales No. 1110595 Reg. Address 97 The Avenue, Mortimer Common, Reading, RG7 3RB w: www.riveroflifeuganda.org e: info@riveroflifeuganda.org

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UGANDA RIVER OF LIFE MINISTRIES Report of the Trustees For the year ended 31 December 2022

Contents

Report of the Trustees 3 to 7
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees 8
Statement of Receipts & Payments 9
Statement of Assets & Liabilities 9
Notes to the Financial Statements 10 - 11

© UROLM Proprietary and Confidential Information Reg. Charity in England & Wales No. 1110595 Reg. Address 97 The Avenue, Mortimer Common, Reading, RG7 3RB w: www.riveroflifeuganda.org e: info@riveroflifeuganda.org

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UGANDA RIVER OF LIFE MINISTRIES Report of the Trustees For the year ended 31 December 2022

Uganda River of Life Ministries Trustees Report 2022

1. Preamble

Uganda River of Life Ministries (UROLM) is a Charitable Trust. The Governing Document is a Deed dated 28[th] June 2005, as amended by Deeds of Variation on 1[st] July 2013 & 2[nd] June 2016.

The Trustees meet at least twice a year. The Trust does not have an office.

Correspondence address is 97 The Avenue, Mortimer Common, Reading, RG7 3RB. Web site: www.riveroflifeuganda.org, Email: info@riveroflifeuganda.org

Our Bankers are: HSBC Bank plc, 20-21 Electric Parade, George Lane, South Woodford, London E18 2LX

Our Accounts are independently examined by Nigel Rivers, 3 Battlemead Close, Maidenheead, SL6 8LB

2. Trustees

The Trustees for the period January to December 2022 were: Robert Davies (Chair of Trustees), Margaret Poulter, Maria Warren New Trustees are identified and appointed by the existing Trustees.

3. Summary of objects as set out in the governing document

  1. To advance the Christian faith.

  2. To relieve persons who are in conditions of need or hardship.

UROLM receives funds from UK donors for the support of River of Life Church (ROLC), Masaka, Uganda, a separately constituted and registered Ugandan church and NGO.

These funds are used to –

  1. Spread the gospel and teachings of Jesus Christ.

  2. Provide spiritual and material assistance for those in need in the congregation and locality; in particular through Community Outreach, Training and Discipleship, and Prayer and Healing Programmes. The most significant Projects within these Programmes in terms of scope and impact are:

  3. 1) Community Outreach – meeting the spiritual and material needs of the most vulnerable within Nyendo, Masaka

  4. 2) Kitovu Hospital Neonatal Unit: funding the staffing and ongoing costs of running a Neonatal Unit caring for up to 30 babies a month.

  5. 3) The White Eagle Project: providing emergency residential, resettlement and community-based care of up to 30 orphan and vulnerable children, with a particular focus on children who have suffered abuse and neglect.

  6. 4) ROL Leadership Academy: providing post-O Level education, mentoring and training schemes for young people from Masaka.

  7. 5) Synergy Sports Strategy: uses sport to help young people realise their full potential through training, discipleship and mentoring.

  8. 6) Masaka Prayer Mountain: developing a prayer centre on a c.25-acre site just outside Masaka Municipality, Uganda.

  9. 7) Mission: the promotion of cross-cultural mission trips, both short and long-term.

4. The main activities of UROLM

© UROLM Proprietary and Confidential Information

Reg. Charity in England & Wales No. 1110595 Reg. Address 97 The Avenue, Mortimer Common, Reading, RG7 3RB

w: www.riveroflifeuganda.org e: info@riveroflifeuganda.org

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UGANDA RIVER OF LIFE MINISTRIES Report of the Trustees For the year ended 31 December 2022

Although River of Life Church (Uganda) is fully responsible for its own strategic and operational decisions, advice is sought, and given, by UROLM Trustees for the effective running of River of Life Church. Mary Kibaya (the founder of River of Life Church) and Rob Davies, are members of the Board of River of Life Church, Uganda, whilst Margaret Poulter visits River of Life Church Uganda annually, as travel restrictions permit.

5. Chairman’s Report – Rob Davies

2022 saw UROLM raise £56,789 for the work of River of Life Church in Uganda. 99% of our expenditure of £87,361 was spent on Charitable Activities. Raising this amount of money represents an amazing achievement, and the Trustees wish to thank and appreciate all the volunteers, supporters and friends of the wider River of Life family for making it possible. We particularly remember with gratitude our former Treasurer, Ian Drake, who left UROLM a substantial legacy in 2021, which has helped the work of River of Life Church significantly.

Governance

The Trustees met on three occasions via Zoom to review our financial position; plan and implement strategies for Fundraising, Communications, Mission and Governance; identify and mitigate for any areas of risk. They have also met regularly with the Board of River of Life Church, to help implement an HR overview and Staff Salary overview. 2022 saw us finally manage to bring our Charity Commission reporting back on-time after three years of challenge following Ian Drake’s death. Special thanks goes to our Account Relationship Manager who has been fantastic in supporting us rebuild.

Fundraising

Our fundraising has continued to focus on Individuals, Events, Church & School Partnerships, and Trusts. We are indebted to the generosity of a large number of long-term supporters who continue to sponsor children and young people, give extra when the need is greater, and wholeheartedly support the vision and mission of UROLM in its support of the work of ROLC.

The trustees would like to extend their profound appreciation to everyone who has supported the work of River of Life Church financially, and are humbled by the level of sacrificial giving they have seen.

Communications

Our main form of communication throughout 2022 was through our Facebook Page, and through updates to regular supporters of the White Eagle Project with Manager's & School Reports, handwritten letters and photos for each sponsor. Unfortunately our website became redundant in the period, and we are building a new one.

Mission

We continued to support our Long-term Mission partners, Lisa Meadows and Sarah Beale, both of whom have moved on to new ministries. No other mission trips took place.

6. The work of River of Life Church

River of Life Church is a registered Ugandan Company, No. 58534 and Registered Ugandan NGO No. 3394. The Elders and Directors of River of Life Church are Mary Kibaya, David Nyongesa, Emily Ojambo, Betty Kwagala, and Rob Davies. As founder, Mary Kibaya acts as the key contact point between the two organisations, and throughout the period was able to take an active role in the Board of Elders and other activities of the church via Zoom, Whatsapp and other online tools.

The ROLC Board continued to send monthly statements of expenditure under budgeted headings and has sent us audited accounts for 2022. The Trustees remain highly confident in the operational capacity and financial management of the ROLC Team.

2022 saw Uganda finally emerge from COVID restrictions, and it was great to see the Ministry Teams and programmes grow and develop through the year. A particular highlight was the building of a Church at Bujja, with the generous support of David & Nita Loveall and Three Sixteen Ministries International.

© UROLM Proprietary and Confidential Information Reg. Charity in England & Wales No. 1110595 Reg. Address 97 The Avenue, Mortimer Common, Reading, RG7 3RB w: www.riveroflifeuganda.org e: info@riveroflifeuganda.org

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UGANDA RIVER OF LIFE MINISTRIES Report of the Trustees For the year ended 31 December 2022

Community Outreach Programmes

ROLC!s Community Outreach programme includes weekly visits to the Hospital and Prison, and support to the Kitovu NeoNatal Unit. The main aim of these programmes is to address the immediate and pressing spiritual and material needs of the community.

1) Community Outreach Hospital Ministry made weekly visits to Masaka District Referral Hospital, to pray for the sick and to give out fruit, soap and other personal items.

2) Kitovu Hospital Neonatal Unit Ministry funds 5 nurses and the development of the Neonatal Unit at Kitovu Hospital, Masaka. In 2022 we were able to fund Multiparameter Monitoring Equipment for the unit, which continues to support up to 30 premature babies each month.

Training and Discipleship Programme

Four programmes under Training and Discipleship continued in 2022. Overall responsibility for this department rests with Director Emily Ojambo. The main aim of these programmes is to realise real and lasting transformation in people’s lives and their communities.

1) White Eagle Project (WEP) . The WEP provides temporary residential care for severely at-risk children, and community-based care for at-risk children. It does this through (i) supporting Education, (ii) intensive Mentoring, (iii) supporting Health, (iv) promoting a Safe and Secure Home environment and (v) Resettlement and Rehabilitation.

2) Synergy Sports Strategy uses sport to promote healthy lifestyles, provides opportunities for mentoring and discipleship and helps young people reach their God-given potential.

3) Discipleship Groups : ROLC has 6 different discipleship groups, these include: Youth Group, The Amazing Generation (young adults group), Marrieds, Women of Honour, Schools Ministry and Children’s Church. Each group provides a forum for peer-led discipleship and training.

4) ROL Leadership Academy raises up young leaders from Masaka through Leadership Training and Education Bursaries and also gives an opportunity to White Eagle children who show leadership potential to continue their education.

Prayer and Healing Programme

The main activity in 2022 was regular Prayer and Worship meetings on Masaka Prayer Mountain, including our monthly Worship Meeting called "Organic Worship.# Although we won the last remaining civil court case associated with the development of c. 25 acres at Masaka Prayer Mountain in 2021, the defendants have appealed and the case has yet to be heard.

Operations and Mission

The ROLC Finance Team continued to operate robust financial reporting, cash control mechanisms, requisition and approval processes, budget reporting, and expenditure reporting. Monthly receipts under budgetary headings were supplied to UROLM, together with audited accounts for 2021.

The ROLC Farm progressed well under the stewardship of the Farm Manager, with a large plantation of Eucalyptus being established.

The Church plants in Bujja, a village about 3 miles from Nyendo, and Misaali continued to develop. The new church building at Bujja was a particular blessing.

7. The Future

2023 will again see us need to strengthen our UK Team to meet the challenges of fundraising for the continued excellent work of River of Life Church.

In Uganda, focus will continue to be on the development of Masaka Prayer Mountain.

Increasing the number of core, regular supporters, financial and prayer, is critical for the continued development of UROLM, whilst accessing Trusts and Grants for eligible ministries such as the White Eagle Project and the Leadership Academy is crucial to ensure their ongoing success.

© UROLM Proprietary and Confidential Information

Reg. Charity in England & Wales No. 1110595 Reg. Address 97 The Avenue, Mortimer Common, Reading, RG7 3RB w: www.riveroflifeuganda.org e: info@riveroflifeuganda.org

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UGANDA RIVER OF LIFE MINISTRIES Report of the Trustees For the year ended 31 December 2022

Particular thanks must be expressed to all our donors and friends. Without their support ROLC would be unable to have the impact that it has.

Rob Davies, UROLM Chairman, 11[th] October 2023

© UROLM Proprietary and Confidential Information Reg. Charity in England & Wales No. 1110595 Reg. Address 97 The Avenue, Mortimer Common, Reading, RG7 3RB w: www.riveroflifeuganda.org e: info@riveroflifeuganda.org

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UGANDA RIVER OF LIFE MINISTRIES Report of the Trustees For the year ended 31 December 2022

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Objectives and aims

The trustees have considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit, including the guidance 'public benefit: running a charity (PB2)'.

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Name of Charity UGANDA RIVER OF LIFE MINISTRIES Charity registration number 1110595 Principal address 97 THE AVENUE MORTIMER COMMON READING RG7 3RB

Trustees

The trustees and officers serving during the year and since the year end were as follows:

Mrs Maria Warren Ms Margaret Joan Poulter Mr Robert Davies Independent examiners: Nigel Rivers 3 Battlemead Close Maidenhead SL6 8LB Bankers: HSBC Bank Plc 29-21 Electric Parade George Lane, South Woodford London E18 2LX

Approved by the Board of Trustees and signed on its behalf by

Robert Davies ........................................................................... Mr Robert Davies, Trustee 24th October 2023 Date ...................................................................

© UROLM Proprietary and Confidential Information Reg. Charity in England & Wales No. 1110595 Reg. Address 97 The Avenue, Mortimer Common, Reading, RG7 3RB w: www.riveroflifeuganda.org e: info@riveroflifeuganda.org

Page 7 of 11

UGANDA RIVER OF LIFE MINISTRIES Report of the Trustees For the year ended 31 December 2022

Independent Examiners Report to the Trustees

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2020.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act').

I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiners statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

  1. Accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by section 130 of the 2011 Act; or

  2. The accounts do not accord with those records; or

  3. The accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair view' which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Nigel Rivers ........................................................................... Nigel Rivers 3 Battlemead Close Maidenhead SL6 8LB

Date _______ 18th October 2023_

© UROLM Proprietary and Confidential Information Reg. Charity in England & Wales No. 1110595 Reg. Address 97 The Avenue, Mortimer Common, Reading, RG7 3RB w: www.riveroflifeuganda.org e: info@riveroflifeuganda.org

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UGANDA RIVER OF LIFE MINISTRIES

ANNUAL ACCOUNTS for the Year ended 31st December, 2022

STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS

FUNDS 2022 TOTAL
FUNDS
Notes Unrestricted Restricted Total 2021
RECEIPTS : £ £ £ £
Voluntary Receipts 2a 11,951 44,847 56,798 167,610
TOTAL RECEIPTS 11,951 44,847 56,798 167,610
PAYMENTS :
Charitable Activities 3a 38,825 48,321 87,145 79,635
Raising Funds 3b 216 0 216 256
TOTAL PAYMENTS 39,041 48,321 87,361 79,891
NET INCOMING/(OUTGOING) RESOURCES -27,090 -3,473 -30,564 87,719
Fund Transfers 0 0
Balances Brought Forward 77,688 14,730 92,418 4,696
BALANCES CARRIED FORWARD 50,598 11,257 61,854 92,415
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
Unrestricted Restricted Total at Total at
Funds Funds 31/12/22 31/12/21
CASH FUNDS £ £ £ £
ASSETS
HSBC Current Account 50,530 6,453 56,983 87,719
HSBC Deposit Account 0 4,871 4,871 2,462
50,530 11,324 61,854 90,181
LIABILITIESAccounts examination 480 480

TRUSTEES RESPONSIBILITIES IN RELATION TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Charity Law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which comply with the regulations set out in the Charities Act 2011. The Trustees have elected to take advantage of the provisions that apply to small charities and have prepared a receipts & payments account and statement of assets & liabilities.

24th October 2023 Approved by the Trustees on ……………...….……...…... and

Robert Davies Signed on their behalf by ………………………………………..., Robert Davies, Chairman

© UROLM Proprietary and Confidential Information

Reg. Charity in England & Wales No. 1110595 Reg. Address 97 The Avenue, Mortimer Common, Reading, RG7 3RB w: www.riveroflifeuganda.org e: info@riveroflifeuganda.org

Page 9 of 11

UGANDA RIVER OF LIFE MINISTRIES

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS for the Year ended 31st December, 2022

1. BASIS OF ACCOUNTING

The accounts have been prepared under the “Receipts and Payments” basis as prescribed by the Chari

a) Voluntary Receipts
Non Gift Aid donations
Gift Aid Donations
GASDS Donations
Income Tax Recovered
Interest
Note
a) Charitable Activities
Grants to Institutions in Uganda:
ROLC Operations & expenses
White Eagle Children's Project
Community Health & Outreach:
Community Outreach
Kitovu Baby Unit
Synergy Sports
Bujja Farm development
Discipleship Groups
Leadership Academy
Prayer Mountain
Missions expenses
Grants to Individuals in Uganda/UK:
ROL Church Director
Missionary (contract ROLSB11101)
Missionary (contract ROLLM16401)
Bank & Transfer Charges
Phone calls, postage & software
Insurance & Subscriptions
Consultancy & examination
b) Raising Funds
Website development & maintenance
Publishing expenses
Fundraising expenses
Travel
2. RECEIPTS
3. PAYMENTS
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
£
£
£
£
497
10,899
11,396
117,426
5,120
33,948
39,068
40,970
0
0
0
0
6,325
0
6,325
9,034
0
0
0
0
FUNDS 2022
TOTAL
FUNDS
2021
11,942
44,847
56,789
167,430
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
£
£
£
£
19,092
8,166
27,258
24,649
9,523
22,791
32,313
22,005
10
1,920
1,930
1,264
5,441
2,975
8,416
10,411
2,197
2,197
2,245
773
0
773
1,176
138
960
1,098
528
953
4,667
5,620
4,528
394
1,009
1,403
2,694
0
0
0
1,654
0
0
0
2,166
1,164
3,036
4,200
4,529
587
600
1,187
1,187
336
0
336
310
0
0
0
0
414
0
414
290
0
0
0
0
FUNDS 2022
TOTAL
FUNDS
2021
38,825
48,321
87,145
79,636
0
0
0
40
0
0
0
0
216
0
216
216
0
0
0
0
216
0
216
256

Reg. Charity in England & Wales No. 1110595 Reg. Address 97 The Avenue, Mortimer Common, Reading, RG7 3RB

w: www.riveroflifeuganda.org e: info@riveroflifeuganda.org

Page 10 of 11

Reimbursment of expenses: Postage 0 TOTAL 0

4. PAYMENTS TO TRUSTEES

5. INSURANCE

In accordance with a provision in the Constitution of the Trust, Trustee Indemnity insurance has been ef

6. RISK ASSESSMENT

As the Trust does not own any tangible property, nor does it undertake projects in its own right, the main risks to which it is exposed concern remittances going astray or being mis-applied with the consequent risk of adverse publicity and blame by either or both supporters and intended beneficiaries. It seeks to address these risks by using proprietary financial institutions to hold and transfer funds, requiring regular detailed reports from beneficiaries, and trustee visits to supported projects.

7. RESERVES POLICY

The Objects of the Trust are to advance the Christian Faith and to relieve persons who are in conditions of need and hardship. It does this by making Grants for specific activities and projects but without entering into ongoing legal contracts.

It does not own, rent or lease any premises or equipment. In this sense it only distributes funds which are already in hand, and has no need to set aside Funds in Reserve.

However, recognising that certain of the projects which Uganda River of Life Ministries supports have come to rely substantially upon this support, the abrupt withdrawal of which may cause considerable disruption and hardship, but mindful also of both the pressing and immediate need for which the Funds have been raised and that there may be future uncertainties in fundraising, the Trust seeks, over a period of time, to accumulate modest Reserves equivalent to three months’ current expenditure.

8. PUBLIC BENEFIT

The charity acknowledges its requirement to demonstrate clearly that it must have charitable purposes or 'aims' that are for the public benefit. Details of how the charity has achieved this are provided in the Trustees report. The Trustees confirm that they have paid due regard to the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit before deciding what activities the charity should undertake.

© UROLM Proprietary and Confidential Information

Reg. Charity in England & Wales No. 1110595 Reg. Address 97 The Avenue, Mortimer Common, Reading, RG7 3RB w: www.riveroflifeuganda.org e: info@riveroflifeuganda.org

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