Summary:
- Archbishop Kaziimba described Bishop Ahimbisibwe as a visionary leader whose commitment to preaching the gospel and driving development is exemplary.
NTUNGAMO: The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, the Most Rev. Dr. Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu, has commended the Bishop of South Ankole Diocese, the Rt. Rev. Nathan Ahimbisibwe, for steering the Diocese toward self-reliance through various innovative projects, including coffee, bananas, Hass avocados, apiary, cattle farming, and commercial ventures.
While presiding over the Diocese’s 13th-anniversary celebrations at St. Matthew’s Cathedral Kyamate in Ntungamo District on Sunday, Archbishop Kaziimba described Bishop Ahimbisibwe as a visionary leader whose commitment to preaching the gospel and driving development is exemplary.
“I am impressed by the projects I have toured. Bishop Ahimbisibwe has ensured the Diocese is self-reliant through initiatives like coffee, bananas, Hass avocados, apiary, cattle farming, commercial buildings, and many other ventures. His dedication to spreading the gospel is also evident,” Archbishop Kaziimba noted.
As part of his pastoral visit, Archbishop Kaziimba toured Inspire Africa Coffee Park in Rwashamire, Ntungamo District, on Friday. He urged other dioceses to utilize idle land for productive ventures to protect it from land grabbers.
He also laid a foundation stone for the construction of St. Mark’s Kitunga Church of Uganda in Kajara, which Dr. Bildard Baguma, the Diocesan Head of Laity, described as a magnificent sanctuary that will bring pride to the region.
On Saturday, the Archbishop inaugurated St. Peter’s Kibingo Church of Uganda in Nyakyera Archdeaconry, which has recently attained Parish status.
The South Ankole Diocese was established on September 28, 2011, when the House of Bishops of the Church of Uganda elected Rev. Canon Nathan Ahimbisibwe as its first bishop.
The Diocese, carved out of the Ankole and West Ankole Dioceses, was officially inaugurated on January 8, 2012, by then Archbishop Henry Luke Orombi.
Over the past 13 years, Bishop Ahimbisibwe has transformed South Ankole into a model of growth, sustainability, and international recognition for its agricultural projects and mission work.
During the 13th-anniversary thanksgiving, Bishop Ahimbisibwe highlighted the Diocese’s progress.
“We now have 13 Archdeaconries, 67 Parishes, and 283 Sub-Parishes,” he said. The Bishop also outlined the Diocese’s self-sustainability initiatives, including substantial investments in coffee farming.
“As part of our sustainability plan, we have 23 acres of coffee in Kyamate, and each Archdeaconry has at least 5 acres. Our coffee factory will soon be operational, complete with a coffee huller and wet mill machines,” he explained.
He also praised the government for establishing a 20-acre solar-powered micro-irrigation system at Kyamate Hill, the Diocesan headquarters, which he described as a game changer for agricultural production.
Additionally, the Diocese has completed a Mothers’ Union Resource Centre with 30 self-contained rooms and is constructing a multipurpose complex to generate additional revenue.
“Our mission goes beyond physical development. We remain focused on evangelism to grow God’s kingdom while improving our communities through healthcare, education, and other initiatives,” Bishop Ahimbisibwe emphasized.
