BUSHENYI, November 25, 2025 – The Diocese of West Ankole has received a major boost to local livelihoods with the delivery of five fish feed processing machines. The initiative, a partnership between the Ministry of Water and Environment and the Province of the Church of Uganda, aims to promote sustainable community development and raise household incomes of the Christian believers in the Greater Bushenyi area.
The machines, supplied under a joint programme supported by the Green Climate Fund [GCF], Government of Uganda, and United Nations Development Programme [UNDP], will enable community-led production of fish feed using locally available resources.
The equipment was received on behalf of the Bishop of West Ankole by the Diocesan Secretary, Rev. Joseph Mweyungye, and the Archdeacon of Greater Bushenyi, Rev. Didas Natweta, at All Saints Church, Greater Bushenyi.
According to the Diocese, the machines have been allocated to five archdeaconries within the catchment districts of Buhweju, Mitooma, Sheema, Bushenyi, and Rubirizi.
They will be installed at Kabwohe [Ankole Western University], Greater Bushenyi [All Saints Greater Bushenyi Archdeaconry headquarters], Mitooma [Mitooma Archdeaconry headquarters], Rugando [Mwongyera Parish headquarters/ Rugando Archdeaconry], and Nsiika [Nsiika Archdeaconry headquarters].
Speaking at the handover, a representative from the Ministry of Water noted that the initiative aims to promote sustainable wetland use and strengthen climate-resilient livelihoods.
“Fish farming is one of the most environmentally friendly and economically viable ventures for communities living around wetlands. By supporting local production of high-quality fish feeds, we lower the cost of entry for farmers and help them grow income in a sustainable way,” the official said.
The Diocese of West Ankole is one of 10 dioceses selected from the 39 dioceses of the Church of Uganda Province to benefit from the project.
The Diocesan Secretary, Ven. Rev. Joseph Mweyungye, said the machines would be centrally managed by the Bishop’s Office to ensure effective use and equitable access across communities.
“Our goal is to support farmers with affordable, quality feeds. These machines will operate on a non-profit model so that communities, especially youth and women, can fully benefit,” he said.
In a message delivered through his representatives, Bishop Johnson Twinomujuni expressed gratitude for the partnership and urged Christians to embrace hard work and innovation.
“This is more than machinery; it is an invitation to our people to rise, work hard, and use the resources God has placed in our hands,”Twinomujuni said.
“If we combine faith with diligence and responsibility with creativity, our households and communities will be transformed. Let us not wait for miracles we can create through commitment and hard work.”
He encouraged the Diocese’s Household and Community Transformation [HCT] Department and all five archdeaconries to ensure the project directly improves family incomes and strengthens the Diocese’s vision of holistic transformation.
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