West Ankole Diocese’s contribution to Development.

By Chris Mugasha

Sometimes, people especially those ‘‘with little faith’’ are found in debates of questioning what they benefit from the tithe they give to church.  They don’t look beyond the issues of spiritual and preaching the gospel to recognize that church plays a critical role in the social and economic development of communities.

In this report, we profile the contributions of the Diocese of West Ankole (DOWA) in the development of Greater Bushenyi that is; (Bushenyi, Sheema, Rubirizi, Buhweju and Mitooma districts.)  

Preaching the gospel;

First and foremost, the Diocese has continued holding the candle of preaching the gospel. Together with the clergy,Bishop Johnson Twinomujuni’s holistic preaching has greatly changed people’s mindset towards work, life and unity.

Health

The Diocese owns and runs 10 Health facilities: One health Centre III (Katungu Mission Hospital project) in the final stages to be uplifted to maternal and children’s specialist hospital and nine health Centre IIs that will soon be transitioned to health Centre IIIs. These provide health care services to people of Greater Bushenyi hence contributing towards having a healthy and productive communities.

Jubilee SACCO

West Ankole Diocese’s Jubilee SACCO head office is located in Bushenyi Town and started in 2003. The SACCO has grown over the years and now has five branches and two out reaches a cross the Greater Bushenyi districts. The SACCO provides employment to the locals and provides financial support/services and a number of Cooperate social responsibilities in areas where it operates from.

Agriculture and livelihood transformation

The Diocese has partnered with the government through the National Agriculture Advisory Services (NAADS) and Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) to supply coffee seedlings to both clergy and Christians hence transforming their livelihood incomes.

Clergy Wives’ Goat Project: The Diocese through the Bishop Rt. Rev. Johnson and Maama Joy Twinomujuni lobbied for clergy wives and 300 clergy wives have been given goats to boost their family incomes. This in the long run will transform their families on top of being roles models to the rest of the Christians in eradicating poverty.

Education;

The Diocese owns and runs Ankole Western University (AWU) located in Sheema district. This University that was founded by the Diocese has made University education to be easily accessed by many. The university has immensely contributed to the growth of Sheema Municipality, Kabwohe town in particular.

The Diocese’s Church founded Institutions that is; 8 tertiary Institutions, 52 secondary schools and 263 primary schools continue to play a pivotal role in the education sector.

The Diocese also owns structures at Katungu Mothers Union Centre that currently house Kyambogo University Bushenyi learning Centre. This is also great driver to the development of not only the Diocese but the entire region as a whole. The business community has been boosted and parents/students can easily get educational services, thus the Diocese contributing to the development of the region.

Caption: The Archbishop of the church of Uganda Rt Rev Stephen Kazimba, the Bishop of West Ankole Diocese Rt Rev Johnson Twinomujuni with some of the stakeholders during the Archbishop’s visit to Ankole Western University recently.

The Diocese also partners with Compassion International and runs five projects across the Greater Bushenyi region. Through Compassion International, the most vulnerable children have been assisted to access basic needs, education and health care thus improving People’s the standards of living. The project also provides employment to a number of natives from Bushenyi thus improving the standards of living.

Through partnership, the government of Uganda tarmacked Katungu-Bweranyangi road which eased accessibility of Bweranyangi Hill and Institutions around it including Bweranyangi Girls’ secondary school and the neighboring communities.  Ends.