The Archbishop of Mbarara Archdiocese, His Grace Lambert Bainomugisha, has urged Christians to embrace hard work, agriculture and entrepreneurship while taking advantage of available government programmes to fight poverty and improve household incomes.

Archbishop Bainomugisha made the call on Sunday during Holy Mass at Rubindi Parish in Mbarara District, where members of the Archdiocese of Mbarara Development Foundation (AMDEF) were mobilising funds to support church development projects.

He urged Christians to work together and maintain solidarity, saying collective efforts are crucial in mobilising resources for the construction and development of schools, health facilities and churches.

“Christians should embrace hard work and use the opportunities available to them, including agriculture and entrepreneurship, to improve their livelihoods,” the Archbishop said.

He also commended Christians and political leaders for their continued support towards the development of the Church, noting that serving God remains an important responsibility.

The guest of honour at the AMDEF fundraising event, Ibanda District Woman Member of Parliament Jovrine Kaliisa Kyomukama, thanked President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government for what she described as the freedom of worship enjoyed by Ugandans.

Kyomukama encouraged Christians, community members and leaders to continue supporting development initiatives aimed at strengthening the Church and improving the wellbeing of communities.

Kashari North MP Patrick Musinguzi contributed Shs10 million in cash towards the fundraising drive and commended Archbishop Bainomugisha for establishing AMDEF.

Musinguzi said the initiative had contributed to the establishment and development of several projects within the Archdiocese and urged other religious organisations to consider adopting similar fundraising and investment models to mobilise resources and support income-generating activities.

Eng. John Mary Vianne Twinomujuni, the Commissioner for Urban Water Supply and Sewerage Services at the Ministry of Water and Environment and AMDEF vice-chairperson in Mbarara, said Rubindi Parish requires about Shs13 billion to complete its planned development projects.

He said more than Shs240 million had so far been raised through the fundraising drive, describing the amount as an important contribution towards achieving the parish's development targets.

Dr Silver Mugisha, a member of the AMDEF leadership, thanked Christians for their continued financial support towards Church development projects.

The event was also attended by Kashari South MP John Bosco Tumusiime Bamuturaki, Mbarara District Local Council V chairperson Hygiene Twongirwe Kururagire, several Mbarara District councillors and other local leaders.

AMDEF is a fundraising and investment initiative established in 2025 under the Archdiocese of Mbarara to mobilise resources for development programmes in education, healthcare, agriculture and other areas.