Physical Needs
The diocese of West Buganda is going through a very difficult period financially since its inception more than forty years ago. In 1960 the diocese covered the whole of Uganda's major coffee growing area, and was earning the country lots of good money. Its people were then relatively well off and developing fast economically. Uganda's coffee was on very high demand on the international market. Sons and daughters of the area were going to schools and colleges - and today a lot of positions of responsibility in government, business, industry and the professions are being occupied by those sons and daughters of the diocese.
But things have changed a lot since that time. Coffee no longer enjoys the same position on the market. Coupled with that a deadly disease - the "coffee wilt disease" has set in and destroyed millions of plants. The climate has also adversely changed and the rains are getting shorter every season. Far from enjoying the enviable economic superiority they once held, people of this diocese are grouped among the very poor of Uganda.
The position of the church is extremely grim because she almost entirely depends on congregational contributions for her income. With that congregation impoverished and without any income generating assets or investments, the diocese desperately needs to chart out new areas of income generating activities, for the church herself, and for members of her congregation.
Diocesan Development Plans.
i) Diocesan Ranch.
The diocese has a two square mile piece of land which it has decided to transform into a ranch.
Already this year alone, Christians at parish level have contributed 90 animals (and more are expected ) to start the nucleus of a serious ranching scheme. When the project starts yielding revenues the money availed will go towards caring for retired church workers and funding a scholarship scheme for worthy and needy students especially the orphans.
To realise these plans quickly the diocese needs to stock high quality bulls to crossbreed with the local cows to get a fast growing , heavier stock of animals. Plans are also under way to introduce high quality fast growing breed of goats on the ranch. Other preparatory work that needs to be carried out urgently is fencing the land, clearing the bush, planting better pasture, as well as setting up a good water supply system. In financial terms a total of US$ 120,000 is required to set up this project
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- Rural Poverty Alleviation Scheme.
Because over 80% of people in the diocese are classified as very poor (with an average income of only US$ 100 or less per year) Dr. Kamya the new bishop has quickly put together a plan which, if it receives well wishers's financial support may go along way towards reducing poverty levels in the diocese. First the bishop has decided to set up a demonstration scheme in Organic Farming Methods with a multiple purpose of helping rural folks to:
a). Improve agricultural production and incomes through the combined use of animal husbandry methods and agriculture.
b). Learn soil conservation and practical environment protection methods.
c). Boost their real incomes through the "Pass on a gift" system. Under this scheme it is hoped that funds will become available to purchase milk producing animals for distribution to the first set of lucky farmers. When these animals produce calves these calves are supposed to be passed on to other families. They in turn will be expected to do the same, and so on. The idea is to spread the animals throughout the diocese so that as many families as possible can enjoy the benefits from milk production and animal keeping generally.
d). Realise that they can make a worthwhile living and improve their quality of life on limited space of land, if properly utilised and exploited.
e). Learn better nutritional methods.
A feasibility study for this scheme has been carried out and necessary land earmarked. Total cost of this project is estimated at US$100,000.
iii) Parish Development.
The new bishop is encouraging all pastors in each parish to develop and exploit all locally available resources, to become less dependant on congregational collections. The clergy are likely to become first beneficiaries of the Organic Farming Scheme mentioned above. In this connection a single tractor availed to the diocese would go a long way to speed up agricultural development at the parishes.
Should this bishop receive support from well wishers to effect these plans West Buganda could slowly emerge to reclaim its former position in Uganda..
The content of the website is provided by
westbug@africaonline.co.ug.Material Copyright © 2001 Rt. Revd. Dr. Samuel Kefa Semakula Kamya
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