Central Buganda Diocese Bishop, Rt Rev Micheal Lubowa, vowed to transform the diocese into an example of self-sustainability, an agricultural powerhouse, a household income generator, and a community-building center.
The Bishop of Central Buganda Diocese, Rt Rev Micheal Lubowa has vowed to transform the Diocese into a self-sustainable model Diocese with excellence in agriculture, household incomes and Community resilience.
Bishop Lubowa made the vow while receiving a dummy cheque of UGX 70M presented to him by Rev Canon William Ongeng the Provincial Secretary of the Church of Uganda as government support through National Agriculture Advisory Services (NAADS) to procure a ginger processing machine at St. John’s Cathedral, Kasaka in Gomba District today.
In his words, Bishop Lubowa commended President Museveni and the government of Uganda through NAADS for supporting the social-economic transformation of the Diocese.
“The President and government of Uganda have been very kind to us. Recently, we received 200 pigs, 40 heifers and today we have received 70M for a ginger processing machine. In our Diocese especially in Butambala District, ginger is the main cash crop grown which we have been exporting and loosing a lot of money. We are now going to process it from here, add more value to it and get more money. We want to chase poverty.” Bishop Lubowa said.
He led the visiting team from the Provincial Secretariat to the Diocese’s coffee, banana plantation, the Diocesan farm (with cows, pigs, chicken and goats), the Maize mill and the newly constructed Bishop’s Palace.
He outlined that the Diocese is set to establish a Pension House to generate revenue to support the retired clergy, and Diocesan workers and advance the self-sustainability agenda of the Diocese.
Rev. Canon William Ongeng the Provincial Secretary advised the Diocese to ensure proper accountability and transparency during the implementation of the project.
He commended the Diocese for the already established projects and noted that this is one of the reasons why the Diocese was identified a pilot area for the project together with South Ankole, West Lango, Kitgum and Busoga Dioceses.
Meanwhile, speaking at the same function, Balaam Muheebwa the Provincial Treasurer called upon the Diocese to take good care of the cows, pigs and ginger plant given to them to ensure that all Christians in the Diocese benefit.
He disclosed that the Church of Uganda received 2Bn Shillings from the government through NAADS and will be used to implement agriculture programs in the Province.
Irene Anena, the Acting Director of Church of Uganda’s Directorate of Household and Community Transformation urged all beneficiaries of the project to maintain dedication saying that it is the only way they are going to yield from the opportunities on board.
“Agriculture being the backbone of Uganda’s economy, we need to invest time and resources to it as a strategy for socio-economic transformation. This also calls for mindset change and the appreciation for value chain development. This will ensure community empowerment on food and income security.” Ms. Anena advised.
“I call upon all the beneficiaries of the project to ensure compliance with the implementation modalities of the project and transfer the off springs of livestock they received to the second line of beneficiaries as a means of spreading out wealth creation in their communities,” she added.
