MOST REV. LAMBERT BAINOMUGISHA, ARCHBISHOP OF MBARARA CALLS FOR GREATER SUPPORT FOR  AMDEF AS RWENYAGA DEANERY RAISES UGX 105 MILLION.

Uganda-Mbarara Rwampara District, Rwenyaga Parish, on Saturday, August 29, 2026: Thousands of lay faithful, priests, and religious men and women from Rwenyaga and surrounding catholic parishes gathered at Rwenyaga Parish for the Archbishop’s annual appeal fund in support of the Archdiocese of Mbarara Development Foundation (AMDEF).

By Sr. Stella Watsema OLGC

The celebration began with the Holy Eucharist presided over by His Grace Lambert Bainomugisha, Archbishop of Mbarara, who was joined by priests serving in Rwampara District and the surrounding catholic parishes. 

What is AMDEF?

AMDEF is a strategic fundraising and investment initiative of the Archdiocese of Mbarara. It was officially launched in 2025 by Archbishop Lambert Bainomugisha.

The initiative aims to help the Archdiocese of Mbarara raise and invest its own resources so that it can reduce its dependence on donations. Funds raised through AMDEF are expected to support development of the archdiocese and its institutions, Support schools and higher educational institutions of learning, Improvement of healthcare facilities, Support for agriculture, including plans to provide coffee seedlings to catechist, Development of a community SACCO aimed at improving the financial wellbeing of Christians in the Archdiocese and many others. The SACCO is intended to provide accessible and affordable financial services, encourage saving, support small businesses, and help families improve their incomes.

He appreciated the faithful for their commitment to supporting the development of the catholic Church and prayed for God's blessings upon them. The archbishop also spoke about the important role of parents in caring for and raising their children. He thanked parents for their efforts and reminded them that the wellbeing of families depends greatly on the care and support parents provide to their children.

Archbishop thanks faithful for their support

In his homily, Archbishop Bainomugisha thanked the people of Rwampara District for organizing the AMDEF gathering at Rwenyaga Parish.

The AMDEF Chairperson, Eng. Dr. Silver Mugisha, thanked Rwenyaga Deanery for working with the Archdiocese in mobilizing resources. He said the deanery was part of the effort that contributed to the Shs3 billion already collected and placed in the AMDEF common fund in 2025. He appealed to Christians and other well-wishers to continue supporting the project so that it can be completed.

Christians introduced to the AMDEF SACCO

Dr. Mugisha also explained the Archdiocese's SACCO initiative, which is intended to strengthen the financial wellbeing of Christians. He explained how members will access SACCO's services and encouraged the faithful to make use of the financial opportunities it will provide. The SACCO is expected to promote a culture of saving, support entrepreneurship, and help improve household incomes across the archdiocese.

Ugx. 105 million raised at Rwenyaga

At the AMDEF gathering, the guest of Honor, Hon. Charles Ngabirano, Member of Parliament, made his annual contribution of Ugx 5 million. By the end of the function, the faithful had contributed a total of Ugx 105 million in cash towards AMDEF. Hon. Ngabirano also pledged to support efforts to provide clean and safe water to people in the area.

Why the gathering matters

The AMDEF campaign is intended to create a stronger financial foundation for the Archdiocese of Mbarara. By raising and investing its own resources, the archdiocese hopes to support its long-term development and continue serving Christians through education, healthcare, agriculture and other community programmes. The Rwenyaga gathering was therefore both a fundraising event and an opportunity for Church leaders and the faithful to discuss how they can work together to strengthen the future of the Archdiocese