GULU CITY, June 6, 2026 — Young pastors in the Acholi Sub-region have launched a Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisation [SACCO] mobilisation campaign aimed at improving their economic wellbeing and reducing dependence on church offertory collections.
The initiative, spearheaded by the Generation Pastors Network [GPN], seeks to register more than 300 young born-again pastors from Gulu City and the districts of Gulu, Omoro, Amuru, Nwoya and neighbouring areas. The initiative also targets church choirs, intercessors, and ushers as beneficiaries of the savings scheme.
Speaking during the launch in Gulu City recently, Prophet Kenneth Cupu, overseer of Abundant Grace Christ Ministry, said many young pastors at grassroots level face severe financial challenges despite their role in transforming communities through spiritual guidance.
“Many pastors are preaching the word of God and changing lives, but they struggle to support their families. Through SACCOs, we want to promote financial inclusion, savings and investment so that pastors can improve their livelihoods,” Cupu said.
He said the network plans to register and train young pastors on financial management and cooperative development before the SACCO becomes fully operational.
Cupu also called on government to support born-again churches in the same way it supports other religious groups and community organisations.
“Born-again churches have contributed significantly to society, yet many still lack permanent infrastructure and economic empowerment programmes. We hope government will consider supporting initiatives that can strengthen the financial position of pastors and churches,” he said.
According to Cupu, the primary objective of the campaign is not to replace existing church associations but to unite pastors around financial discipline, economic empowerment and cooperation.
David Magere, a pastor from Atiak Subcounty in Amuru district and a journalist with Vision Group, welcomed the initiative, saying many rural pastors struggle to meet basic household needs.
“Forming SACCOs will strengthen our ability to save, invest and access support from development partners. It will also improve accountability and make it easier to mobilise resources for community projects,” Magere said.
He urged members to ensure transparency in the management of funds and to invest in income-generating activities such as poultry farming, piggery and other agricultural enterprises.
Pastor Agnes Ayoo of Light Radiation Church in Pabbo Town Council, who chairs the Amuru SACCO Group, said economic empowerment would improve the welfare of rural evangelists.
“Many pastors are among the poorest members of society despite their service to communities. Through savings and cooperative investments, we can improve our incomes and strengthen unity among church members,” Ayoo said.
She encouraged pastors to engage in agriculture and other productive activities rather than relying solely on church offerings.
According to Ayoo, more than 200 pastors have already registered under the GPN and expressed readiness to participate in the initiative.
GPN Spokesperson Pastor Martin Joel Alitya said the network aims to unite young pastors across Uganda while promoting both spiritual and economic development.
“For many years, pastors have worked in isolation. We want to rebuild unity among born-again churches and empower pastors financially so they can better serve their communities,” Alitya said.
He added that poverty has contributed to divisions within some churches and has encouraged the emergence of individuals entering ministry primarily for financial reasons.
“We want to raise a generation of pastors who are spiritually grounded, financially disciplined and capable of supporting themselves through productive economic activities,” he said.
Alitya revealed that the GPN has already facilitated the establishment of 35 SACCOs in districts across Uganda and plans to expand its mobilisation efforts nationwide.
The programme is expected to reach more than four million born-again believers across Uganda, including more than 30,000 people in the Acholi Sub-region.
Gulu City Principal Commercial Officer George Nicolas Kidega welcomed the initiative and advised participants to invest cautiously in viable projects.
He encouraged SACCO members to start with manageable ventures, including agriculture and coffee farming, while gaining the necessary knowledge and experience before expanding operations.
Kidega said cooperative savings schemes could play a significant role in addressing poverty among rural pastors and reducing overreliance on church offerings as a source of livelihood.
https://thecooperator.news/diocese-of-lango-clergy-sacco-in-need-of-tractor/
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