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Bishop Twinomujuni the Bishop of West Ankole Diocese says the move is intended to finance new diocesan development projects
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Bushenyi
Christians in West Ankole Diocese are raising their voices against a controversial proposal to sell 28 acres of church land in Katikamwe, Kyabugimbi Town Council, Bushenyi District, sparking heated debate across the Diocese. The move, intended to finance new diocesan development projects, has drawn concern from both local churchgoers and stakeholders in the wider region.
Last year, the Diocesan Council convened to address the challenge of limited financial income, particularly from tithes and other traditional sources. With a goal to expedite development, the Council reviewed proposals from the Diocesan Investments Committee aimed at transforming church assets into sustainable revenue streams.
Among the key ideas proposed were: Construction of student hostels at Ankole Western University, Investment in Jubilee SACCO to generate interest income and Development of a commercial building in Mbarara City.
The Diocese of West Ankole invested in a forest plantation 30 years ago with the objective of long-term revenue generation. However, due to low market demand, high operational costs, theft, and fire outbreaks, the project has proven unprofitable.
According to a report by the Diocesan Finance Committee, headed by Arthur Babu Muguzi, the Diocese spends more on the project than it earns. The report noted that the Diocese spends 4.8 million shillings annually to maintain the forest but receives only 3 million shillings in returns.
While the Council expressed strong support for the new proposals, it also acknowledged the Diocese's limited liquidity. As a result, leaders proposed selling church land to raise capital, initially suggesting the sale of Kabira Church land. However, local Christians objected, citing historical and sentimental attachment to the land, which had been donated by members of the church.
In response to the backlash, attention shifted to the Katikamwe land, acquired during the tenure of Bishop Joram Bamunoba. The 28-acre property, currently used for forestry, has previously generated income through timber sales.
The proposed sale of the Katikamwe land has not gone unchallenged. A section of West Ankole Christians has questioned whether the decision aligns with the long-term interests of the Church and its followers. Many are urging the Diocese to consider alternative development strategies that do not involve surrendering church land. “South Ankole Diocese has successfully turned its land into productive coffee, banana, and bean plantations, creating a steady source of income. Ankole Diocese has developed assets like the St. Paul Shopping Mall and schools—all without selling land,” said Martin Rushegyera, a concerned whistleblower and Christian from Rwenjeru Church of Uganda.
Critics argue that West Ankole Diocese has similar potential. With each parish contributing over 24 million shillings annually, and students in church-founded schools in the diocese paying an additional 10,000 shillings each as a church fund, many believe internal fundraising and strategic investment could support development without sacrificing land.
Philip Murwani, a Christian from Kantunda Church of Uganda, publicly expressed his concerns earlier this week and reiterated his call for sustainable alternatives.
“This is a great concern to the Church and beneficiaries of West Ankole Diocese. The proposals themselves are good, but no proposal should involve any change of proprietary interest that disadvantages the Christian community,” he said.
“The Bishop’s advisors should guide him to use the land for a coffee plantation, taking lessons from Ntungamo Diocese, which is already thriving in coffee production. I carefully reviewed the proposal, and it appears that the option of coffee farming was downplayed, despite being one of the most sustainable uses of the land.”
Murwani, who is also affiliated with Kabushaho Church of Uganda, emphasized that with proper planning and benchmarking, the Diocese could benefit from long-term, land-based income streams instead of one-off sales.
At an extraordinary Diocesan Council meeting held on August 8, 2025, the West Ankole Bishop highlighted that, “The Diocese has succeeded in restoring peace and unity, completed the renovation of Katungu Mission Hospital, and is now transforming idle diocesan land into income-generating assets guided by biblical and philosophical principles of wise stewardship.”
Rev. Joseph Mweyungye, the Diocesan Secretary, later issued a statement clarifying that the proposal followed established procedures and remains subject to further review.
“The idea originated from the Investments Committee, which was mandated by the Diocesan Synod. After deliberation, it was reviewed by the Diocesan Board of Finance and later approved by the Diocesan Council. This is not a unilateral decision by the Bishop but a collective resolution made through proper church governance structures,” he said.
He noted that the process is still ongoing, and the resolution will be presented to the Diocesan Synod. If approved, it will then be forwarded to the Provincial Board of Trustees, who hold final authority on such matters.
Rev. Mweyungye also reminded the faithful that while open consultation at every stage may not be practical, the Diocese operates through representative bodies entrusted with the stewardship of church matters.
Torch Media Africa
