NAMIREMBE– As part of efforts to raise resources for the construction of the Mothers’ Union Hostel as a self-sustainability project, Church of Uganda today held the Provincial Do Good Run at Mengo Senior School, during which over fifty million Uganda shillings was raised in cash and pledges.
The Chief Runner, Canon Dr. Johnson Byabashaija the Commissioner General of the Uganda Prisons Service who led a delegation of Commissioners and over 400 staff members to participate in the run, commended Mothers’ Union and Church of Uganda for championing self-sustainability through local resource mobilization rather than relying on external donors.
He further thanked the Mothers’ Union for upholding family values, instilling moral discipline among married couples, and serving as role models in their communities.
He pledged the support of the Uganda Prisons Service towards Mothers’ Union programmes that aim to promote discipline and transform the society.
The Archbishop of Church of Uganda, The Most Rev Dr. Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu emphasized that the initiative was not only about fundraising but also about promoting healthy lifestyles.
He encouraged Ugandans to embrace regular physical activity as a preventive measure against non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension.
“We chose to raise funds for the hostel through this run to advocate for physical wellness and demonstrate that we can fund our projects locally.
“Exercise is a form of stewardship of the body. Your body is a temple of the Lord and so should be kept healthy,” Archbishop Kaziimba said.
He reiterated the Church’s vision of becoming a faster-growing, sustainable, Christ-centred Church, noting that the loss of some international partners due to differing values had sharpened the Church’s focus on establishing local income-generating projects like the hostel.
Mrs. Grace Murengezi, the Provincial Mothers’ Union President, called upon Mothers’ Union members and all well-wishers to support the project, which aims at addressing the accommodation challenges at Mengo Senior School.
“We realized that Mengo Senior School has a large number of students especially girls who are in need of spacious and secure accommodation. That’s why we decided to mobilize resources and invest in this project. I call upon all people of God to stand with us,” Mrs. Murengezi said.
According to Rev. Barbara Mugisha, the Family Life Ministry Coordinator for Church of Uganda, the proposed four-floor hostel will be constructed in Bakuli, in the heart of Kampala City, and is estimated to cost approximately UGX 4.6 billion with funding expected to come from local fundraising efforts within Dioceses, as well as support from international mission partners.
The Run was attended by the Provincial Secretary of Church of Uganda, Rev. Canon William Ongeng, together with staff from the Provincial Secretariat; Canon Dr. Ruth Senyonyi, the immediate past Mothers’ Union President and Chairperson of the Uganda AIDS Commission; Assistant Commissioner General of Prisons, Hillary Bisanga; as well as Bishops’ wives Mama Jean Magezi of North West Ankole Diocese and Mama Florence Wakula of Central Busoga Diocese, among others.
