By: Abitegeka Gerald
KAGADI
Buyaga East Member of Parliament, Hon. Stephen Twesige Rurekere, has launched a wealth creation initiative aimed at transforming religious institutions into self-sustaining centres of economic empowerment through model farming.
The initiative, which was on Saturday launched at Rusekere, Igwanjura, Kabamba, Kiryanjagi, Nyaigana and Mabaale Church of Uganda parishes under Nyaigana Archdeaconry in Kagadi District, will focus on coffee and banana growing as well as rearing improved breeds of goats.
Under the programme, each participating parish will establish a two-acre model farm planted with coffee and bananas, in addition to receiving three improved-breed goats to support livestock farming and diversify income sources.
According to Hon. Twesige, the project is designed to help religious institutions become financially independent while serving as demonstration centres where Christians and surrounding communities can learn modern farming techniques.
He said the initiative will not only generate income for churches but also equip households with practical agricultural skills that can improve food security and boost family incomes.
The MP revealed that each model farm is expected to generate between Shs25 million and Shs30 million, providing a sustainable source of revenue for churches and supporting their development programmes.
Twesige said the first phase targets six Church of Uganda parishes in Nyaigana Archdeaconry before the programme is expanded to lower churches and eventually rolled out to mosques and other religious denominations across Buyaga East County.
Speaking during the launch, Rev. Ven. Erisa Okello, the Archdeacon of Nyaigana Archdeaconry, welcomed the initiative and commended Hon. Twesige for fulfilling his pledge to promote wealth creation within the church.
He said the archdeaconry had fully embraced the project, expressing optimism that it would strengthen the financial sustainability of churches while improving the welfare of Christians and surrounding communities.
Christians who attended the launch also praised the initiative, describing it as timely and transformative. They said the coffee, banana and goat projects would reduce dependence on donations, create sustainable income for churches, and improve the economic wellbeing of their members.
Hon. Twesige reaffirmed his commitment to extending the programme to all religious faiths in Buyaga East County, saying churches, mosques and other places of worship have the potential to become centres of agricultural innovation, wealth creation and community development.
The News Editor ,Reporter at Kagadi Kibaale community Radio
