Derrick A
Bishop Rt Rev Onesimus Asiimwe of the North Kigezi Diocese commended the churches that have embraced his initiative of utilizing idle church land by cultivating coffee as an income-generating project. He made this statement during the launch of a coffee-growing project at Rwanyanja Church of Uganda in Bugangari Archdeaconry, Rukungiri district. Bishop Asiimwe expressed gratitude to the Christians for their dedication alongside their church leaders in establishing a coffee project that is poised to enhance the church’s income in the future.
Encouraging other churches to follow suit, Bishop Asiimwe highlighted the prevalent issue of idle land in many churches and stressed the importance of making it productive. He noted that while some churches had previously planted trees like eucalyptus, which take a long time to mature and yield income, setting up coffee projects would offer a quicker financial return.
Boaz Kwesiga Rutera, the head of the laity in Bugangari Archdeaconry, outlined their goal of making Rwanyanja Church of Uganda a model in coffee cultivation for other churches to emulate. He disclosed that they had already planted over 1500 coffee seeds and aimed to reach a total of ten thousand coffee trees.
Rutera emphasized their focus on alleviating the financial burden on Christians, with the church’s coffee gardens expected to significantly contribute to the church’s income, reducing reliance on offerings from financially constrained parishioners.
Rev Richard Kwehangana, the parish priest of Rwanyanja Church of Uganda, underscored the collaborative effort among Christians in utilizing their extensive church land, which spans over 70 acres, for the coffee project.
During the event, Bishop Onesimus Asiimwe also oversaw the confirmation of 120 Christians into the Anglican faith, alongside numerous individuals who accepted Jesus as their savior. He was accompanied by his wife, Archdeacon Ven Elias Mbagi, and visitors from All Saints Chapel Lweza.
