Kabale Diocese has intensified its push for economic empowerment among Christians with the launch of a comprehensive financial literacy programme designed to equip families and Small Christian Communities (SCCs) with practical money-management skills. The initiative, rolled out on Tuesday at Kinanira Parish, is part of the Church’s broader mission to foster both spiritual and economic transformation.
The campaign was inaugurated by the Diocesan Pastoral Coordinator, Fr. Fidel Ndagijimana, who said the Church cannot ignore the economic pressures facing its faithful. He noted that financial empowerment has long been a key pillar of Kabale Diocese’s pastoral mission, especially as poverty levels in Kigezi continue to rise.
Citing figures from the Uganda Bureau of Statistics, Fr. Ndagijimana pointed out that poverty in the region had increased from 12% in 2020 to 27% in 2024, attributing the spike partly to poor financial decisions within households.
“One of the major causes of poverty is the improper handling of finances,” he said. “This programme aims to train Christians in essential financial skills before introducing them to income-generating projects.”
During the launch, leaders from five SCCs—St. Francis (Kinanira Hiika), St. Theresa (Nshungwe Hiika), St. Mathias (Muhanguzi Hiika), St. Theresa (Nyarurambi Hiika), and St. Cecilia (Muyange Hiika)—received UGX 1.25 million each as seed capital to support projects of their choice. The support forms part of a revolving fund intended to expand economic opportunities at the grassroots.
The Diocese plans to implement the financial literacy campaign across its seven deaneries—Mutolere, Rubanda, Rushoroza, Bukinda, Kitanga, Nyakibale, and Makiro. The first phase will cover 28 parishes, with the remaining 15 parishes scheduled for inclusion in the second phase. Each deanery will focus on groups such as SCC leaders, youth, married couples, catechists, and parents.
Training during the launch was led by Gilbert Niyonshima, Branch Manager of PROMIC Kabale Diocese (Kisoro Branch). PROMIC, which operates 11 branches under the Diocese, provides soft loans at a 2.5% reducing interest rate, combining credit with financial education. Niyonshima urged participants to adopt habits such as budgeting, record keeping, and joint decision-making to ensure the sustainability of their enterprises.
Kinanira Parish Priest Fr. Augustine Munyandamutsa welcomed the programme, saying it would not only uplift livelihoods but also strengthen unity among SCCs.
Sr. Gladys Kyoshabire, the Diocese’s Assistant Human Resource Manager, reminded beneficiaries that the seed capital was a revolving fund meant to reach many communities. She emphasized transparency and accountability as crucial to the fund’s success.
Fr. Ndagijimana encouraged Christians to extend financial discipline into their homes, stressing that budgeting and responsible spending were essential foundations for long-term progress.
“Financial discipline should begin in the family,” he said. “Every household needs to know how much it earns and how much it spends.”
The Diocese considers the programme part of its long-standing commitment to building self-reliant Christian communities—an approach it has championed for years through parish-level savings groups, micro-enterprise support, and economic formation programmes.
