BUGIRI – April 10, 2026 Church of Uganda, through its Directorate of Household and Community Transformation (HCT), has today distributed ten in-calf heifers to selected farmer households in the Diocese of East Busoga, to strengthen household incomes and food security.

The distribution exercise was presided over by the Bishop of East Busoga Diocese, Rt Rev. Paul Hannington Suubi, alongside the Director of HCT, Rev. Agaba Andrew, at the Diocesan Headquarters in Bugiri District.

This initiative is part of the Church of Uganda’s broader socio-economic transformation agenda under the HCT Directorate, which focuses on five thematic areas, including Food Security and Sustainable Livelihoods.

The program supports household food production, income generation, and resilience among communities.

The intervention follows a comprehensive pre-distribution assessment conducted on January 28, 2026, to evaluate beneficiaries’ readiness. The assessment focused on key livestock management requirements such as proper shelter, pasture establishment, biosecurity measures, and record-keeping systems to ensure sustainability and animal welfare.

The heifer project is a joint partnership between the Government of Uganda and the Church of Uganda, aimed at supporting farmers across dioceses, including South Ankole, Busoga, Kitgum, Central Buganda, and West Lango, through the provision of livestock and value addition equipment.

As part of preparatory processes, the selected beneficiaries were trained in livestock management, including zero grazing, record keeping, disease prevention and treatment, feeds and nutrition management.

According to Rev Agaba Andrew, the Director of HCT, the verification exercise revealed encouraging levels of preparedness among beneficiaries, with most households demonstrating readiness in housing, feeding, and animal health management.

"The selection process was balanced across archdeaconries for inclusivity within the community. Self-driven farmers and those working collaboratively with family members showed higher levels of preparedness, pointing to stronger prospects for sustainability." Rev Agaba said.

He commended the government for supporting the Church of Uganda's development initiatives and pledged transparency and accountability.

Bishop Paul Hannington Suubi applauded the initiative as a practical expression of the Church’s mission to transform lives holistically.

“These heifers are a source of sustainable income and improved nutrition for our households. I urge all beneficiaries to manage them responsibly and ensure that the benefits extend to the wider community. I encourage the beneficiaries not only to sell the milk but also to consume some of it because we want healthy Christians.” Bishop Suubi said.

The beneficiaries were drawn from various archdeaconries across the diocese, including Bugiri, Buwunga, Namayembe, and Lwangosa.

According to Mr Emmanuel Aluonzi, the Program Officer for food security and sustainable livelihoods, when the heifer gives birth, the beneficiary passes on the first female calf to the second line beneficiary identified through a process established by the Diocesan management.