VP Alupo Commends Catholic Church For Poverty Alleviation Programs

The Vice President of Uganda H.E. Jessica Alupo has commended the Catholic Church for promoting government programmes aimed at alleviating poverty among the people and transforming their lives.

Alupo who was speaking at a Church gathering in Mityana District during the celebration of 125 years of the existence of Our Lady of Carmel Busuubizi Catholic Parish located in Kiyinda-Mityana Diocese thanked the church for carrying the torch of faith and the many programs that they do to complement those of the government in transforming people's incomes.

The work done by the men of God among the faithful, not only transforms them spiritually, but also contributes to moral growth and elevating their standards of living.

The President of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni, is currently undertaking a country-wide tour mobilising communities about the four-acre model, locally known as Ekibalo, which the public can use to change their lives. A farmer can utilise the small land they have to generate a lot of money.

“The Church not only works with the government in educating citizens and preaching the word of God, but it works very hard, hand-in-hand with the government to extend social services to the public and fostering development," she said.

During his recent visit to Kakumiro District in Bunyoro region, the President used the example of Transport State Minister, Fred Byamukama’s model farm, named after his late father, Kamanyire.

 The four acre-model farm has a number of projects including coffee, pineapple garden, poultry and piggery among others. The President used this farm to sensitise farmers in the area to adopt Ekibalo and boost their harvests. The farmers were depending on maize growing.

“We call upon the Catholic Church to continue working with the government to mobilise our citizens to fight poverty and embrace government programs like the Parish Development Model (PDM), and Emyooga,” she said. V.P Alupo also conveyed a congratulatory message from President Museveni to the people of Busuubizi Parish upon reaching the milestone of quasquicentennial (125 years) celebrations. “We ought to thank God who inspired the missionaries to bring the light of Christ to this area.

The missionaries and the ancestors were able to do so much and we ought to do more and work harder,” she urged. Under the stewardship of Kiyinda-Mityana Bishop, Joseph Anthony Zziwa, each parish has at least three acres of land for helping the government to implement poverty alleviation programmes through socio-economic programs such as coffee growing, dairy farming and poultry. The parishes have planted at least three acres of coffee, with some extending their projects to as far as 20-acres. This has not only helped them to support running of church activities, but has seen the faithful picking a leaf from these projects and taking the ideas back home.

The function was graced by political leaders led by Lands minister, Judith Nabakooba, who reminded the Church to process land titles especially for land that was verbally donated and the donors died.

 The minister highlighted that such land is very susceptible to conflicts and grabbing from members of the families, pledging support to have all such land titled. “People of those days were trustworthy unlike today where you leave the land idle, and the next day it is encroached or even forcefully taken. Make it productive to avoid such to happen,” she emphasised. Ms Nabakooba expressed her gratitude to the church for standing firm to serve the faithful in all those years and pledged to support the clergy as they take on the work of God.

  The chairperson of the Uganda Episcopal Conference and Bishop of Kiyinda-Mityana Diocese, Joseph Anthony Zziwa, said he started those projects to boost church incomes and have a smooth running of church work. “With those projects, I am convinced we can have our churches develop economically," he said. Bishop Zziwa also asked the government to elevate St. Noa Mawaggali Busuubizi Core Primary Teachers College to a university status.

 “This College has been given an opportunity to become a university. We are very glad and happy and we are looking keenly at the plans that the ministry of education is making for this college,” he said. Bishop Zziwa added that they occasionally see vehicles carrying heads of departments from the education ministry, implying that they are working towards making the college a university.

“It will be a very welcome progress to make our college one of the centers for higher learning in our diocese. We wish to see fruits coming out of this plan,” he added, praying for the plans to become successful. Established in 1899, Busuubizi Parish is one of the oldest parishes, with others being Nandere and Mitala Maria, which were founded by the missionaries in their early days in Uganda.

It has mothered more than 12 parishes during those years of existence, nurtured notable leaders in this country and raised religious leaders who have served the Catholic Church in Mityana and beyond. Other church leaders including Rev. Fr. Denis Kyemwa, Busuubizi Parish Priest, could not hide the smiles on his face for pulling off a very colourful function that attracted hundreds of people across Uganda and beyond.

He applauded all individuals for their contribution and those who offered land where this church and projects sit. More than 30 people were awarded with certificates in honour of their contribution.

 “The numbers in the Church have increased and that is a clear testament that we are growing very fast. We have many people who have been nurtured spiritually and economically, couples have received holy matrimony and priests have been ordained," he noted.

 About 100 children also renewed their baptisma vows at the function.