By Flavia Ajok
Rt. Rev. Joshua Kugonza, the Bishop of Masindi-Kitara Diocese has challenged Christians across the diocese to embrace coffee growing as a way of improving household incomes.
Bishop Kugonza made the remarks on Tuesday while receiving 30,000 coffee seedlings donated by Hongera Saana Uganda during a function held at the diocesan headquarters this afternoon.
The bishop revealed that during his consecration, he pledged to promote coffee growing and subsequently launched a diocesan project dubbed “Behind Every Kitchen, There Is Coffee,” which is being implemented across the diocese.
He noted that the initiative is intended to support farmers with small land holdings who may not have enough land to engage in sugarcane cultivation.
Bishop Kugonza commended Hongera Saana Uganda for the donation and appealed to members of the public to pick up the seedlings, emphasizing that they are being distributed free of charge.
He also called upon other stakeholders to support the initiative through similar donations, noting that many farmers in the diocese still need coffee seedlings.
While handing over the seedlings, Damalie Nachuha, the Albertine North Regional Police Commander applauded Hongera Saana Uganda for supporting community development through agriculture. She urged beneficiaries to plant and properly manage the seedlings to improve their household incomes.
Nachuha also warned individuals involved in coffee theft, saying police have deployed adequate manpower to arrest suspects and ensure they are prosecuted.
Gilbert Kiirya, the coordinator of Hongera Saana Uganda in Masindi District, said the organization is implementing government programmes aimed at promoting peace and stability through community development initiatives. He added that the organization has so far donated 390,000 coffee seedlings across the Bunyoro sub-region.
