The Church of Uganda, through its Directorate of Household and Community Transformation (HCT), has launched the third phase of the Interfaith Action for Gender Justice and Women Economic Empowerment Project at St. Stephen’s Church of Uganda in Kumi Town, Kumi Diocese.
The event, presided over by the Rt. Rev. Michael Okwii Esakhan, Bishop of Kumi Diocese, included the distribution of Shs 25 million in seed capital to 25 women-led Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) groups across Kumi, Ngora, and Bukedea districts.
It also featured the commissioning of a Shs 5 million youth car washing bay and parking yard, aimed at providing sustainable livelihood opportunities for young people in the region.
This latest development brings the total seed capital disbursed under the project to Shs 67 million, supporting 67 VSLA groups and significantly enhancing grassroots financial inclusion and economic empowerment.
The Church of Uganda’s efforts align with its Provincial and Diocesan Strategic Plans for 2025–2028, which emphasize economic empowerment, gender justice, social welfare, and good governance.
Supported by Dan Church Aid (DCA), the project has already transformed more than 44,000 lives through skills development, faith-based gender-based violence (GBV) prevention, and income-generating initiatives.
Rev. Agaba Andrew, Director of the Directorate of Household and Community Transformation, highlighted the project’s tangible impact, including the formation of 42 women-led VSLA groups consisting of 1,260 members, 840 women and 420 men who have collectively mobilized over Shs 561 million in community savings.
He further noted that over 12,000 individuals have been trained in practical skills such as liquid soap production, organic manure processing, and reusable sanitary pad making.
“Beyond economic transformation, the project has fostered interfaith collaboration on GBV prevention using contextual tools like SASA! Faith and Quranic teachings,” Rev. Agaba said. “Our advocacy efforts during International Women’s Day and the 16 Days of Activism have created meaningful platforms for community dialogue and accountability.”
In his remarks, Bishop Okwii commended the partnership between the Church of Uganda and Dan Church Aid, which he said has improved countless lives across the region through integrated efforts in economic empowerment and gender justice.
He emphasized that these interventions support Kumi Diocese’s Strategic Plan (2025–2028), which focuses on spiritual growth, economic development, social welfare, and environmental stewardship.
Bishop Okwii also lauded the establishment of the youth car washing bay and parking yard as a step toward building sustainable livelihoods for young people and a self-sustaining Church.
He called upon development partners, government agencies, and other stakeholders to join the Church in advancing social protection and financial inclusion for marginalized groups.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Fatuma Zaitun, leader of the Al-Haki group, praised the Church of Uganda for its inclusive approach.
“Our group is entirely Muslim, but the Church of Uganda has never discriminated against us,” she said. “We were among the first beneficiaries. With the support we received, we bought seven sheep. Today, we have 14 sheep and have expanded into other ventures.”
The launch in Kumi comes just a week after the Church of Uganda delivered humanitarian relief worth Shs 109 million to the Nakivale Refugee Settlement in Isingiro District, Ankole Diocese, in response to the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
