Priests have been urged to make better use of parish land to produce food and generate income to support their ministries and reduce overreliance on parish councils.
The call was made by Rev. Fr. Anthony Kakumba, Parish Priest of Kitaasa in Bukomansimbi District, who expressed concern over priests who, despite being posted to parishes with large pieces of land, fail to develop them.
Fr. Kakumba said it is disappointing to visit a parish with vast tracts of land only to find that nothing is being produced, leaving priests struggling to meet even their basic needs, including putting food on the table.
He reminded priests that, in addition to preaching the Word of God, administering the sacraments and counselling people in distress, they are also responsible for working to meet the needs of their parishes.
He cautioned priests against relying entirely on Parish Councils to allocate fixed annual budgets for running parishes.
Fr. Kakumba said productive use of parish land could enable priests to grow crops such as bananas, maize, coffee and fruits, generating income to meet various parish expenses.
He said proceeds from agricultural activities could, for example, help meet vehicle maintenance costs, including purchasing tyres for vehicles used in pastoral work, instead of depending solely on parish councils.
He urged priests to abandon laziness and embrace productive activities that can strengthen the financial sustainability of their parishes.
Fr. Kakumba made the remarks during celebrations marking the Silver Jubilee of Rev. Fr. Kizito Matovu Florentino, a priest of the Diocese of Masaka, who celebrated 25 years of priesthood with a thanksgiving Holy Mass.
Fr. Matovu was ordained a priest on August 4, 2001, at Villa Maria Cathedral by the late Bishop John Baptist Kaggwa.
Following his ordination, he was posted to Maanya Parish and later served in Ntuusi Parish for 12 years. He subsequently served as treasurer at Bukalasa Seminary before being appointed to the Kitovu Diocesan Land Office in 2020.
Fr. Matovu presided over the thanksgiving Mass held at St. Kizito Technical Institute, Kitovu, which was attended by priests, religious men and women, Buganda Kingdom officials, government leaders and hundreds of faithful.
Bishop Serverus Jjumba of the Diocese of Masaka commended Fr. Matovu for remaining committed to his priestly vocation and for maintaining good working relationships with both senior and junior clergy.
Bishop Jjumba encouraged him to continue with his pastoral work and service to the Church.
Fr. Kizito Matovu Florentino, whose priestly ministry is guided by the motto, “Peter, do you love me? Feed my sheep,” expressed gratitude to the faithful in the various parishes and communities where he has served for their love, support and contribution towards organising his Silver Jubilee celebrations.
He also thanked the late Bishop John Baptist Kaggwa for ordaining him and Bishop Serverus Jjumba for his continued guidance and support in his pastoral ministry.
