JINJA– The Director of Church of Uganda’s Directorate of Household and Community Transformation (HCT), Rev. Andrew Agaba, has revealed that the agriculture program being implemented in Busoga Diocese, in partnership with the Government of Uganda through the National Agriculture Advisory Services (NAADS), has significantly improved the socio-economic status of many local farmers within the Diocese.
Rev. Agaba, who led the monitoring team to visit some beneficiaries in Jinja District today, noted that despite challenges related to animal management and diseases, significant progress has been made among the farmers.
“Busoga Diocese is among the five dioceses benefiting from the program. It received 40 heifers, 200 piglets, and 3,000 Kroiler birds. Despite the diseases and animal management challenges, we witnessed significant progress and we look forward to greater successes,” Rev. Agaba said.
The monitoring activities commenced with a meeting between the HCT team and the Diocesan Management team to discuss the program’s progress and management strategies to enhance its success.
In a symbolic gesture of commitment to environmental conservation, Rev. Andrew Agaba planted a tree at Christ’s Cathedral Bugembe and called for tree planting and proper waste disposal.
Beneficiary Testimonials
Local farmers shared their experiences and the program’s impact on their lives. Rev. Canon Mathias Katiko, a recipient of one of the heifers, said, “This program has been a game-changer for my family. With the milk from the heifer, we now have a steady source of income and improved nutrition. The support from HCT has empowered us to overcome many challenges.”
Alex Kyombo, who received piglets, expressed his gratitude, saying, “Raising these piglets has given us hope. Despite the initial challenges with diseases, we have learned better management practices and our farm is thriving. The visits from the HCT team provide us with the guidance and encouragement we need.”
Zaituni Namuwaya and Nakalembe Robinah, some of the beneficiaries who received Kroiler birds through the program, said they have seen great transformation in her livelihood.
“Before this program, I struggled to provide for my family,” Zaitun shared. “Now, with the Croiler birds, I not only supply eggs and poultry meat to the local market but also support my children’s education and improve our household nutrition.”
Robinah Nakalembe credits the training and ongoing support from the HCT team for her newfound success. “The knowledge on poultry management and disease control has been invaluable. This program has truly given us a new lease on life.”
*Program Background*
In 2022, the Church of Uganda collaborated with the Government of Uganda through NAADS to mobilize communities for socio-economic transformation through an agricultural development program.
This program aims at mobilizing, equipping, and positioning Church of Uganda leaders and farmer groups as community mobilizers and mindset change agents to promote agro-industrialization.
The initiative also focuses on rallying church leaders, congregations, and the broader community towards the production of priority crops for food security and improved incomes. Additionally, it supports households in agricultural production, post-harvest handling, value addition, and market linkages for priority agricultural commodities.
Similar initiatives are being implemented in Central Buganda Diocese, South Ankole Diocese, West Lango Diocese and Kitgum Diocese.
