Staff Reporter
On July 27, 2024, at 2:00 PM, it was announced that the Diocese of Kigezi is seeking 3.1 billion shillings to build a new, impressive mall in Kabale Municipality along the Kabale-Kisoro road.
According to Canon Johnson Baryantuma Munono, the Diocesan Head of Laity and Chairman of the 15-member Program Committee, this mall will replace the current diocesan bookshop. Construction is expected to start in November 2024, with all diocesan stakeholders having approved the project.
Baryantuma, who is also the Secretary of Kabale University, stated that the funding will be raised through contributions from archdeaconries, each of which is expected to donate 30 million shillings to the project. He emphasized that the Bishop’s Development Fund (BDF) program will continue to be a crucial tool for enhancing the diocese’s financial capacity.
To aid in fundraising, the diocese has planned a major event in Kabale District for September 2024, with invitations extended to President Yoweri Museveni and Speaker of Parliament Annet Anita Amongi.
At the launch of the BDF program, held on Friday evening at Kembabazi Catering Services in Naguru, Canon Baryantuma and Minister of State for Trade David Bahati highlighted that the completed mall will generate income, thereby reducing the diocese’s reliance on offertories from its members. They noted that this initiative aligns with government empowerment programs.
Chief Guest Counsel Caleb Amanya, a Christian from the Diocese of South Ankole, urged Christians to contribute part of their possessions as a gesture of gratitude for God’s blessings.
Rt. Rev. Gaddie Akanjuna, Bishop of the Diocese of Kigezi, who presided over the event, encouraged Christians to invest in the education of boys to strengthen the foundation of the Church. He praised the community’s commitment to the project, noting that the program will also support widows of deceased clergy and other important diocesan initiatives.
The event successfully raised a total of 417.95 million shillings in cash and pledges.
