The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Dr Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu has asked believers to contribute towards raising Shs60 billion to pay off bank loans that the church took to construct Church House.
The 16-storyed Church House building on Kampala Road is on the verge of being auctioned by Equity Bank to recover its loan money advanced to the church during construction.
Dr Kaziimba asked 1,000,000 Ugandans to contribute at least Shs60,000 by the end of July this year as a Love Gift to the Lord in thanksgiving for 60 Years of Self-Governance.
The Church of Uganda is marking 60 years of being a self-governing church.
Addressing the media at his Namirembe Provincial palace, the archbishop revealed that they focusing on achieving self-sustainability as a church and that the first project is to pay off the bank loans the church took to construct Church House.
He was speaking about the upcoming Martyrs day scientific observance and fund-raising for church house.
According to Dr Kaziimba, the rapid spread of the Gospel began with the Martyrs and that believers can continue their (Martyrs) legacy when we are able to generate local resources for mission.
“…That is the purpose of Church House. But, we cannot realize the vision of raising local resources until the loans are paid off,” he added.
He explained; “A special “Love Gift” account has been opened to receive your contribution. 60,000/- for 60 Years! It is possible. Our theme for this fundraising campaign is “Yes, We Can!” Yes, we can raise Shs60,000 from one million people. We will be officially launching this fundraising campaign on Sunday, 6th June, at All Saints’ Cathedral, Kampala”
Ugandan enterprises urged to explore regional oil and gas opportunitiesThe Church House campaign aims at raising Shs60 billion by the end of July 2021.
Giving options
According to the Church of Uganda website, there are six secure giving options to make it easy for anyone to make a “Love Gift” toward clearing the debt on Church House.
“All gifts are secured in a dedicated account at Equity Bank. This is part of a Shs60 billion campaign in 2021 to guarantee Church House for the future of the Church of Uganda. In thanksgiving for 60 Years of Self-Governance in 2021, one million Christians are invited to give a Love Gift of Shs60,000 or more to guarantee Church House for the future of the Church of Uganda,” reads the website.
Giving Options include using MTN Mobile Money, Airtel Money, Equity Banking App, Eazzy Banking App, USSD codes from “ka-torch” phones to Equity Bank, and Equi Duuka Agents around the country.
For people outside Uganda, international wire transfers can be made to the Equity Bank account, or Love Gifts can be sent to the mobile money numbers through apps like World Remit or SendWave.
Recently the media reported that the Church House could be auctioned over Sh48b debt indicating that Equity Bank extended a Shs41b loan ($10m and another Sh5b) towards construction of the building, is demanding about Shs40b. The remaining Sh8b is owed to other entities and individuals.
The structure was estimated to cost Shs61.6 billion after it was completed with Christians contributing towards the church project for the past 40 years and additional funding provided by Equity Bank
