The Watoto Worship Academy grew out of Watoto Church, which was founded in 1984 in Kampala, Uganda by Canadian missionaries Pastor Gary and Marilyn Skinner.

The Academy was pioneered in 2015 by James and Steph Skinner, who saw a need to train and equip a new generation of worship leaders and musicians at Watoto. That same year, the first team of international artists, writers and musicians — led by Brad & Rebekah (bradandrebekahmusic.com) — were invited by Watoto to run a worship camp, training and investing in students in the worship arts. That first camp sparked something bigger, and the Watoto Worship Academy was established to provide year-round arts teaching (both online and in-person) for ages 4–25.

In 2016, the partnership with Creative Lab Academy (creativelabacademy.com) formalised. Creative Lab tutors began teaching and mentoring musicians within the Academy using bespoke curriculums covering the spiritual, practical and leadership aspects of worship. Over 300 worship leaders have been trained through this partnership, with the goal of raising up a new generation of worship leaders for Uganda and East Africa.

Since the beginning, the Academy has grown to nearly 1,000 students across music, dance, media and fine arts, with over 4,000 students impacted over the last decade.

Many graduates now serve actively in their churches, and some tour with the Watoto Children’s Choir. Multiple worship camps have been held since that first one in 2015, each producing significant growth in the students’ skills and gifting.

2025 saw the expansion of the Academy across Watoto Ministry. The Academy now serves students at 17 campuses in a wide range of topics and subjects and is growing to serve the local church, worldwide.