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Katurika Child Development Centre (CDC), under Compassion International Uganda in partnership with North Kigezi Diocese, has distributed goats to caregivers in Buhunga Subcounty as part of a sustainable livestock farming initiative aimed at improving household livelihoods.
The guest of honor, North Kigezi Diocesan Secretary Rev. Canon Baingana Eric Mugyenzi, encouraged caregivers to provide proper care for the goats, including feeding them well, sheltering them from heavy rains and theft, and ensuring they have adequate space to thrive. He emphasized that goat rearing not only contributes to increased family income but also provides manure to enhance agricultural production. Canon Mugyenzi urged zone leaders to monitor the goats closely to ensure they remain in good condition.
Venerable Benson Akankwatsa, overseer of Katurika CDC and Archdeacon of St. James C.O.U Katurika Parish, expressed gratitude to Compassion International Uganda for initiating the project. He noted that the program aims to support sustainable livestock farming while improving caregivers’ livelihoods. The caregivers agreed to return the first three offspring from each goat to the CDC to support a second phase of the project, ensuring more community members benefit. Archdeacon Akankwatsa further advised recipients to feed the goats well and refrain from selling them to maximize the project’s impact.
Beneficiaries, including Behinzire Night from Kempungu Cell and Adrine Tukamuhabwa from Rutooma Cell, expressed their appreciation for the goats. They noted that the project would help generate income to support their families and pledged to care for the goats and return the first offspring to benefit others.
Buhunga Subcounty Gomborora Chief, Madam Faith Kamanzi, praised the collaboration between the church and government to tackle poverty. She urged community members to balance politics with farming to ensure food security and income generation. Madam Kamanzi also called on residents not to sell the goats, assuring them that local leaders are working to improve security and protect the animals. She stressed that such initiatives play a crucial role in helping families rise out of poverty.
The project, with a total budget of over 51 million Ugandan shillings, purchased 150 goats and 10 male goats, with each beneficiary receiving three goats and each zone leader receiving one male goat.
Through this initiative, Katurika CDC, Compassion International Uganda, and North Kigezi Diocese aim to empower caregivers with practical tools for income generation and sustainable agricultural development, while fostering community solidarity and long-term food security.
