The Little Sisters of Mary Immaculate of Gulu, based at the Ediofe community in Arua Diocese, have launched an appeal to well-wishers to help raise Shs106 million required to renovate their dilapidated residence.
The structure, which is over 80 years old, was originally built and occupied by the Comboni Missionary Sisters before being handed over to the local congregation. Beyond housing the nuns, the facility serves as a vital hub for prayer, religious formation, meetings, and community hospitality.
Sr Florence Amule, the team leader for the community in Arua, noted that decades of exposure to harsh weather and prolonged use have left the facility in a precarious state.
‘The building has deteriorated due to age, prolonged use, and exposure to harsh weather conditions. Structural wear, leaking roofs, cracked walls, damaged ceilings, faulty electrical wiring, poor plumbing, and inadequate water and sanitation facilities have compromised the safety, comfort, and functionality of the convent,’ Sr Amule said.
To address the situation, a fundraising committee has been established to mobilize financial and material support.
Mr Paul Lule, the chairperson of the fundraising drive, explained that while the committee plans to leverage existing church structures to generate funds, external aid remains crucial.
‘The current condition of the building affects the well-being of the sisters and limits their capacity to host formation programmes, retreats, volunteers, and other community activities,’ Mr Lule stated, appealing to individuals and institutions to donate in cash or kind.
Underscoring the community’s responsibility toward the nuns, Mr Joseph Kyobe Wambuzi, a member of the organizing committee, highlighted the practical and spiritual dedication of the religious order.
‘We are inviting all people of goodwill to come and support the sisters. As you all know, these sisters are given to the Church by their parents. They are no longer in the hands of their biological parents, but the Church and the community-and the Church is us, the human beings,’ Mr Wambuzi said.
He added that the nuns perform extensive voluntary service and are central to sustaining the local Christian faith, noting that emergency repairs will prioritize the most critical areas, beginning with the septic tank.
Lauding their contributions to the region, Monsignor Casto Adeti, the Vicar General of Arua Diocese, commended the congregation for its longstanding service in education, healthcare, and charity work. Notable institutions managed by the sisters include Ediofe Girls Primary School and Ediofe Girls Secondary School.
The Congregation of the Little Sisters of Mary Immaculate of Gulu was founded in 1939 by Bishop Angelo Negri, a Comboni Missionary, and has since grown into a key pillar of social and religious ministry across Northern Uganda.