In a ceremony presided over by the Bishop of South Ankole, Rt. Rev. Nathan Ahimbisibwe, 31 deacons were ordained as priests at St. Peter's Church in Tororo.
The event was attended by district political leaders and the faithful, and was marked by a call for the newly ordained clergy to actively address the socio-economic challenges facing the Bukedi sub-region.
During his sermon, Bishop Ahimbisibwe urged the new priests to prioritize preaching wealth creation as a key component of their ministry, emphasizing the need to lift the region out of poverty.
"With all this fertile soil, why should the sub-region remain poor? No, we must change the mindset of our people," he declared, pointing out that Bukedi ranks second in poverty levels after Karamoja.
The Bishop’s message resonated with the local community, which has long struggled with poverty despite its agricultural potential.
He called on the clergy to inspire a shift in mentality, encouraging farmers to fully utilize their resources for economic growth.
However, some political leaders believe that a mindset change alone may not be sufficient.
Apollo Yeri Ofwono, Member of Parliament for Tororo Municipality, highlighted the need for government intervention in providing value addition facilities to prevent farmers from being exploited.
"Currently, farmers are cheated due to selling their produce raw, especially cassava," Ofwono noted, stressing that without proper processing facilities, farmers continue to miss out on potential income.
Beyond addressing poverty, the newly ordained priests have also been tasked with tackling the rising cases of family-related violence and killings in the district.
Albert Amula, the Deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC) of Tororo, urged the clergy to preach peace and love to help curb the violence affecting local communities.
"We need your voice to promote unity and resolve conflicts that are leading to family members killing each other," Amula appealed.
The ordination represents a significant step for the Protestant Church in Bukedi, as it strengthens its workforce with new priests who are expected to play an active role in both the spiritual and socio-economic transformation of the region.
As the new priests prepare to take up their roles in various parishes, the community remains hopeful that their efforts will bring tangible improvements in poverty alleviation and the promotion of peace within families.