{{Short description|Ugandan pastor}} {{Infobox person | name = Jessica Kayanja | image = Jessica Kyanja.jpg | citizenship = Ugandan | education = B.A.International Relations (1992), Makerere University; M.A. Theology (2019), Life Christian University; Doctor of Ministry (2021); Life Christian University | alma_mater = Makerere University<nowiki>; Life Christian University</nowiki> | occupation = Pastor, philanthropist, entrepreneur | known_for = Founder of Girl Power Ministries; Wife of Pastor Kayanja | notable_works = Girl Power Ministries | spouse = Robert Kayanja | children = 3 | awards = Top 50 Most Influential Church Women in Africa (2016) }}
'''Jessica Kayanja''' is a Ugandan Pastor, philanthropist and entrepreneur. She is best known as the wife of Robert Kayanja, a prominent Ugandan pastor and founder of the Miracle Centre Cathedral.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jessica Kayanja named among top 50 influential church women in Africa |url=https://www.newvision.co.ug/articledetails/129003 |access-date=2023-04-08 |website=New Vision |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Single women leave our husbands - Pastor Jessica Kayanja |url=https://www.bukedde.co.ug/articledetails/131161 |access-date=2023-04-08 |website=Bukedde |language=en |archive-date=2025-01-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250124201625/https://www.bukedde.co.ug/articledetails/131161 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Nabiruma |first=Diana |title=Jessica Kayanja pens book on sodomy nightmares |url=https://www.observer.ug/component/content/article?id=12648:jessica-kayanja-pens-book-on-sodomy-nightmares |access-date=2023-04-08 |website=The Observer - Uganda |language=en-gb |archive-date=2023-04-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230411074909/https://www.observer.ug/component/content/article?id=12648:jessica-kayanja-pens-book-on-sodomy-nightmares |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Grapevine |date=2018-01-06 |title=Photos: Pastor Robert Kayanja Renews Marriage Vows To Wife Jessica |url=https://www.thegrapevine.co.ug/photos-pastor-robert-kayanja-renews-marriage-vows-to-wife-jessica/ |access-date=2023-04-08 |website=Grapevine News |language=en-US |archive-date=2024-05-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240523051924/https://www.thegrapevine.co.ug/photos-pastor-robert-kayanja-renews-marriage-vows-to-wife-jessica/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mwesigwa |first=Solomon |date=2021-09-17 |title=Pastor Jessica Kayanja shares insight on marriage and its imperfections |url=http://mbu.ug/2021/09/17/pastor-jessica-kayanja-shares-insight-on-marriage-and-its-imperfections/ |access-date=2023-04-08 |website=MBU |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Education == Jessica did her undergraduate studies at Makerere University, where she graduated with a bachelor's in International Relations in 1992. She later did a Master of Arts in theology from Life Christian University in 2019 and later pursued a Doctor of Ministry in Theology from Life Christian University in 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Meet Pastor Jessica Kayanja – Girl Power Ministries |url=https://girlpowerministries.org/jessica-kayanja/ |access-date=2023-04-08 |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Career == Jessica Kayanja is the founder of the Girl Power Ministries, a non-profit organisation that empowers young women through mentorship and education. The organisation aims to build confidence and leadership skills in young women and has impacted the lives of many in Uganda and beyond.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-01-07 |title=Jessica Kayanja: Advocating for 'girl power' |url=https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/magazines/full-woman/jessica-kayanja-advocating-for-girl-power--1527756 |access-date=2023-04-08 |website=Monitor |language=en}}</ref>
Kayanja is also involved in the activities of the Miracle Centre Cathedral, where her husband serves as senior pastor, and herself too is also a pastor in the same church. Together, they have provided educational opportunities and healthcare services to vulnerable communities in Uganda. Their Philanthropic works include implementing several projects, including the construction of schools, the provision of clean water, and the establishment of medical clinics in rural areas.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Meet Pastor Jessica Kayanja – Girl Power Ministries |url=https://girlpowerministries.org/jessica-kayanja/ |access-date=2023-04-08 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sseruyigo |first=Aaron |date=2018-03-08 |title=15 Christian women whose voices inspire lives in Uganda |url=https://www.ugchristiannews.com/15-christian-women-whose-voices-inspire-lives-in-uganda/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180308150922/http://ugchristiannews.com/15-christian-women-whose-voices-inspire-lives-in-uganda/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=March 8, 2018 |access-date=2023-04-08 |website=Breaking news on Christianity in Uganda and World |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Personal life == Jessica Kayanja is married to Robert Kayanja, and they have 3 children together.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pastor Kayanja's daughter graduates – Kampala Sun |url=https://www.kampalasun.co.ug/pastor-kayanjas-daughter-graduates/ |access-date=2023-04-08 |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-04-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230410152929/https://www.kampalasun.co.ug/pastor-kayanjas-daughter-graduates/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Pastor Robert Kayanja's son, Robert Kayanja Jr proposes to fiancée – Kampala Sun |url=https://www.kampalasun.co.ug/pastor-robert-kayanjas-son-robert-kayanja-jr-proposes-to-fiancee/ |access-date=2023-04-08 |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-11-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231128225536/https://www.kampalasun.co.ug/pastor-robert-kayanjas-son-robert-kayanja-jr-proposes-to-fiancee/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ishimwe |first=Tricia |date=2018-01-07 |title=PHOTOS: Pr Kayanja, Wife Jessica Celebrate 25 Years in Marriage |url=https://thetowerpost.com/2018/01/07/photos-pr-kayanja-wife-jessica-celebrate-25-years-in-marriage/ |access-date=2023-04-08 |website=TowerPostNews |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Recognition == In 2016, Jessica Kayanja was named among the Top 50 Most Influential Church Women in Africa by African Gospel Media Awards.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jessica Kayanja named among top 50 influential church women in Africa – Kampala Sun |url=https://www.kampalasun.co.ug/jessica-kayanja-named-among-top-50-influential-church-women-in-africa/ |access-date=2023-04-08 |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-04-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230411073355/https://www.kampalasun.co.ug/jessica-kayanja-named-among-top-50-influential-church-women-in-africa/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-03-08 |title=15 top most women preachers and ministers in Uganda 2022 |url=https://www.mamatendonews.ug/magazine/profiles/15-top-most-women-preachers-and-ministers-in-uganda-2020/ |access-date=2023-04-08 |website=Mama Tendo News |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-04-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230410062958/https://www.mamatendonews.ug/magazine/profiles/15-top-most-women-preachers-and-ministers-in-uganda-2020/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
== See also == * Amos Okot
==References== {{reflist}}
== External links == * [https://girlpowerministries.org/home-girl-power/ Website of Girl Power Ministries]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kayanja, Jessica}} Category:Year of birth missing (living people) Category:Living people Category:Ugandan philanthropists Category:Makerere University alumni Category:Ugandan women activists Category:Ugandan company founders Category:Ugandan women business executives Category:Ugandan Pentecostal pastors