Mbarara Archdiocese's AMDA Targets Shs600 Million for 2027 Poverty Alleviation Campaign

The Archdiocese of Mbarara Development Association (AMDA) has set a fundraising target of Shs600 million to support a poverty alleviation and community empowerment campaign in Kyamwiru Parish, Rubirizi District. This initiative is part of the 13th annual AMDA caravan, scheduled for September 2027. The campaign aims to improve livelihoods and address poverty in Kyamwiru Parish, identified as one of the poorest communities in the Archdiocese of Mbarara.

According to AMDA Chairperson Chris Gumisiriza, Kyamwiru Parish was selected due to its high poverty levels despite being surrounded by economic opportunities. The parish is close to Queen Elizabeth National Park, which generates significant tourism revenue, and has fertile volcanic soils suitable for agriculture. However, the community continues to struggle with widespread poverty. The planned intervention will combine medical outreach with practical livelihood support aimed at equipping residents with skills, resources, and opportunities to improve their household incomes.

The programme will include agricultural demonstrations, distribution of farm inputs, vocational skills development, and the provision of equipment to help beneficiaries establish and sustain income-generating activities. Residents with vocational skills, particularly in areas such as carpentry and baking, will receive relevant tools and equipment to enable them to translate their skills into sustainable sources of income. This approach aims to promote sustainable livelihoods and improve the welfare of communities in the Archdiocese of Mbarara.

In the agricultural sector, AMDA plans to distribute farm inputs and demonstrate practical farming techniques to improve household productivity, food security, and incomes. The association will also organise empowerment talks and community training sessions, complemented by radio programmes to extend the reach of the campaign beyond direct beneficiaries. This multi-faceted approach is expected to have a lasting impact on the community.

The 2027 caravan targets more than 5,000 direct beneficiaries, while over 20,000 people are expected to benefit from empowerment messages shared through radio programmes and community training activities. The Shs600 million budget will cater for the medical camp, poverty alleviation demonstrations, vocational skills development, agricultural support, equipment, and logistical requirements associated with implementing activities in the relatively remote parish.

The Archbishop of Mbarara, the Most Rev. Lambert Bainomugisha, commended AMDA for the successful 2026 caravan held in Nyabwina Parish, Sheema District. He described the initiative as a powerful demonstration of what the Church can achieve when its members unite in love, generosity, and service to uplift vulnerable communities. The 2027 caravan is expected to build on previous AMDA interventions by combining healthcare services with practical economic empowerment.

The AMDA initiative is a testament to the Church's commitment to serving vulnerable communities. By providing practical support and empowering residents with skills and resources, AMDA aims to make a lasting impact on poverty alleviation in Kyamwiru Parish. The organisation's efforts are expected to improve livelihoods, promote sustainable livelihoods, and enhance the overall welfare of communities in the Archdiocese of Mbarara.

Key points

• AMDA sets Shs600 million target for 2027 poverty alleviation campaign in Kyamwiru Parish
• The campaign aims to improve livelihoods and address poverty in one of the poorest communities in the Archdiocese of Mbarara
• The programme will include agricultural demonstrations, vocational skills development, and provision of equipment to support income-generating activities