The Archdiocese of Mbarara Development Association (AMDA), a body of Catholics from the Archdiocese of Mbarara living in Kampala, has set a fundraising target of Shs600 million for a poverty alleviation and community empowerment campaign in Kyamwiru Parish, Rubirizi District. This initiative is part of their 13th annual AMDA caravan scheduled for September 2027. The project aims to improve livelihoods in Kyamwiru, one of the poorest communities in the Archdiocese.
Kyamwiru Parish was chosen for this intervention due to its stark contrast of poverty amidst economic potential. The parish is located near Queen Elizabeth National Park, a significant source of tourism revenue, and has fertile volcanic soils suitable for agriculture. Despite these advantages, the community suffers from widespread poverty. The AMDA Chairperson, Chris Gumisiriza, emphasized that the intervention will combine medical outreach with practical livelihood support to address these challenges.
The planned activities under this project include agricultural demonstrations, distribution of farm inputs, vocational skills training, and equipment to help residents start and sustain income-generating activities. Individuals with skills such as carpentry and baking will receive tools to turn these skills into steady income sources. Additionally, AMDA plans to offer empowerment talks and community training sessions, supported by radio programs to extend the campaign's reach beyond direct beneficiaries.
The 2027 caravan targets more than 5,000 direct beneficiaries, with over 20,000 people expected to benefit from empowerment messages broadcast on radio and shared during community training. The Shs600 million budget will cover the medical camp, poverty alleviation demonstrations, vocational training, agricultural support, equipment, and logistics in the relatively remote parish. This comprehensive approach aims to promote sustainable livelihoods across the Archdiocese.
The Archbishop of Mbarara, the Most Rev. Lambert Bainomugisha, commended AMDA for the successful 2026 caravan in Nyabwina Parish, Sheema District. He highlighted that it demonstrated what the Church can achieve when its members unite in love, generosity, and service to vulnerable communities. The 2027 caravan is expected to build on earlier AMDA interventions by pairing healthcare with economic empowerment.
AMDA's initiative in Kyamwiru Parish is a strategic effort to uplift one of the poorest communities in the Archdiocese of Mbarara. By combining medical care with economic empowerment, the project seeks to create a sustainable impact. The involvement of the local community and the use of radio programs to disseminate information will help ensure the campaign's success and long-term benefits.
The upcoming AMDA caravan in September 2027 represents a significant opportunity for the Catholic community in Mbarara to make a tangible difference in the lives of those living in poverty. With a clear plan and a substantial budget, AMDA is poised to implement a comprehensive program that addresses both the immediate and long-term needs of the Kyamwiru Parish community.
Key points
- The project targets over 5,000 direct beneficiaries and aims to empower more than 20,000 people through radio broadcasts and community training.
