The Anglican Church of Uganda has called on the heads of its educational institutions to exploit available resources and launch income-generating projects to alleviate poverty among staff and boost school operations.
Speaking at the Church of Uganda Educational Institutions Conference on Wednesday, Rt Rev Nathan Ahimbisibwe, Bishop of South Ankole Diocese and Chairperson of the provincial board, urged headteachers to utilize school assets to inspire communities and improve livelihoods.
‘They have big chunks of land they can utilize instead of poverty looking over their heads. They should find means of creating wealth. Some head teachers do not buy matooke, others eat meat every weekend because they are keeping animals, they are not spending money on food,’ he said.
Bishop Ahimbisibwe highlighted that agricultural ventures such as coffee growing, poultry, piggery, avocado, and mango farming could generate additional income to support staff salaries and enhance school operations, citing his personal involvement in such projects.
The conference also saw the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Vivo Energy and the Anglican Church, aiming to transition church-owned schools from firewood to LPG gas for cooking.
Joanita Mukasa Menya, Managing Director of Vivo Energy, said the initiative is part of broader efforts to prepare schools for the anticipated reduction in LPG costs once Uganda begins oil production next year.
‘Vivo Energy signed a memorandum of understanding with UNOOC to manage the gas when the oil comes next year. We shall lower the price of LPG gas but it is important for us to prepare before the first oil comes out. In East Africa, Uganda has the lowest penetration of gas,’ she said.
Menya added that clean cooking solutions are crucial not only for environmental protection but also for shaping students’ values. ‘As educators, the environment where students learn influences learning outcomes, and what is taught in classrooms should reflect the choices that learners make outside the classroom, of which caring for the planet is one of them,’ she said.
The MoU is expected to improve sustainability in Anglican schools, reduce reliance on firewood, and demonstrate environmentally responsible practices to students and staff.
Bishop Ahimbisibwe’s advice comes as the Church seeks to combine education, economic empowerment, and environmental stewardship, encouraging headteachers to leverage school resources while fostering practical lessons in self-reliance and ecological responsibility.