The administration of the Anglican Diocese of Kigezi has called for increased investment in income-generating projects to fund the church’s development programmes instead of relying mainly on traditional offertories and donations.
The head of laity at the Diocese of Kigezi, Canon Ivan Batuma Mbabazi, said the strategy was aimed at creating a self-sustaining church capable of supporting development programmes for Christians.
He made the remarks on Saturday during the third Bishop Development Fund (BDF) church project fundraiser held at Rugarama Hill, next to the diocesan headquarters in Kabale.
Canon Mbabazi said the BDF was started in November 2024 to raise funds for the construction of a Shs3.1 billion shopping mall in Kabale town, with income from the complex expected to supplement funding for church development activities.
‘As the diocesan administration, our strategy is to put in place income-generating projects that will sustain the running of Church of Uganda activities in our diocese to supplement the traditional offertories and donations. Our future objective is to create a self-sustaining church that supports the Christians in development programmes,’ Canon Mbabazi said.
The fundraiser, led by the Bishop of Kigezi Diocese, the Rt Rev Gaddie Akanjuna, was attended by seven of the nine Members of Parliament from Kabale, Rubanda and Rukiga districts, which make up the diocese.
The event raised Shs1 billion towards completion of the shopping mall, with Shs720 million reportedly received in cash.
Bishop Akanjuna urged the diocesan administration to maintain accountability, transparency, prudence and diligence if its planned development projects are to succeed.
‘We have been able to achieve tangible development in our diocese because of proper accountability, prudence and transparency. We must maintain these values if more development programmes are to succeed in our diocese,’ he said.
‘Let us focus on investing in church projects that will serve the Christians of today and tomorrow. Let us do something that will be appreciated by Christians even when we are no more. As church leaders, we must avoid acts of corruption and also support the government in fighting corruption.’
Bishop Akanjuna said the funds raised would enable the diocese to complete the shopping mall, which he expects to be ready for use by January next year.
‘With these funds received, I am sure by January next year, our shopping mall will be complete and ready for use. Once this complex is complete, it will be our legacy for the future,’ he said.
The chairperson of the Bishop’s Development Fund, Canon Baryantuma Munono, and the Rukiga Woman Member of Parliament, Dr Slyvia Alineitwe, thanked Christians for supporting the project, saying their contributions had helped the diocese develop the complex.
Rubanda West MP Bruce Balaba Kabaasa delivered Shs20 million from the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Rt Hon Thomas Tayebwa, before making a personal contribution of Shs5 million.
Kabale Municipality MP Andrew Baryayanga represented Kampala businessman Dr Amos Nzeyi and delivered his Shs10 million contribution. Baryayanga also delivered Shs5 million from Finance Minister Henry Musasizi and made a personal contribution of Shs5 million.
The Bishop’s Development Fund was established in November 2024 to build the diocese’s capacity to implement and sustain strategic development programmes.
The Shs3.1 billion shopping mall in Kabale town is the fund’s flagship project and is intended to generate a sustainable income stream for the diocese, reduce its reliance on congregational offerings and strengthen its financial independence.