The Bunyoro Kitara Diocese is turning to the fertile grounds of coffee farming as a pathway to prosperity, calling on churches and Christians in the region to cultivate the high-value crop.
The ambitious plan aims to expand coffee production to 500 acres, positioning the diocese among Uganda’s leading coffee producers.
Bishop Jacob Ateirweho is urging parishes and members to see coffee not just as a crop but as a sustainable source of income, reducing the church’s reliance on offertories for funding projects.
“We want our people to continue doing coffee as a diocese. Churches and Christians are encouraged to plant more coffee, which has strong local and international markets,” he said.
The diocese’s coffee project, located in Wambabya village, Kikuube District, has been growing steadily over the past 25 years.
Currently, 52 acres are ready for harvest, with an additional 10 acres at the young stage. Project Manager Rev. Benon Ataremwa said they plan to reach 500 acres within the next five years.
“Our project is thriving. We provide seedlings to farmers and churches, and we are also exploring cocoa farming. Additionally, our beekeeping initiative produces honey and wax while helping pollinate the coffee,” Rev Ataremwa explained.
The bishop also encouraged Christians to prioritize productive ventures like coffee farming over excessive involvement in politics.
“We want our people to plan their time well and focus on initiatives that bring tangible benefits, like coffee farming,” he said.
To achieve these ambitious goals, the diocese is appealing for government support.
Bishop Ateirweho requested assistance with a coffee processing machine and irrigation systems to protect the crop during dry seasons and to enable value addition.
“We are grateful for the support we’ve received from the government and the president, but we also need help with irrigation and processing to fetch more value from our coffee.
This will allow us to fund church projects without constantly relying on offertories and fundraising,” he noted.
The diocese believes that encouraging farmers to embrace coffee and cocoa cultivation can contribute to reducing poverty and unemployment in the region, offering a model of faith-driven economic development.
