KITGUM: The Bishop of the Diocese of Kitgum, Rt Rev. Wilson Kitara has commended the agriculture program being implemented by Church of Uganda and the government through National Agriculture Advisory Services (NAADS) in his Diocese, saying that it has greatly transformed communities.
In a media interview today morning, Bishop Kitara lauded the government for its efforts in promoting community mobilization, mindset change, agricultural production, value chain development, food security, and income among religious leaders, congregations, and communities.
The government of Uganda through NAADS recently commissioned a pilot social-economic transformation project aimed at improving the well-being of religious leaders, congregations, and communities in the Dioceses of Kitgum, West Lango, South Ankole, Busoga and Central Buganda.
The project is under Church of Uganda’s Directorate of Household and Community Transformation.
Bishop Kitara highlighted that the project has helped improve the welfare of clergy, who are the grassroots mobilizers promoting peace, harmonious living, and agents of community transformation.
The project provided 39 in-calf Friesian heifers and 200 piglets to beneficiaries who were trained in animal husbandry and livestock management.
Rev Andrew Agaba, the Director of Household and Community Transformation, who represented Senior Management in monitoring the project, expressed his happiness with its performance in the Diocese of Kitgum.
He hopes that the project will expand to other 32 Dioceses of the Church of Uganda in the next five years.
Rev. Agaba said, the project’s purpose is to mobilize, equip, and position Church of Uganda religious leaders and farmer groups as community mobilizers to tackle mindset change towards agro-industrialization.
“This Project aims rallying Church of Uganda leaders, congregations, and the community towards agricultural production of priority crops for food and nutrition security and improved incomes.” Rev. Agaba said.
He added, “The project is part of a pilot program in five Dioceses, and the success in Kitgum provides hope for expansion to other areas.”
