Caritas Mbarara – Social Services and Development

Caritas Mbarara is the Social Services and Development Department of the Catholic Church of the Archdiocese of Mbarara, mandated to work in the 13 districts of South Western Uganda: Mbarara, Isingiro, Kiruhura, Ibanda, Buhweju, Bushenyi, Mitooma, Rubirizi, Ntungamo, Sheema, Buhweju, Kazo, and Rwampara. The overall goal is to improve the socio-economic status of the people, guided by the core values of Love, Truth, Sharing, Ethical conduct, Team spirit, Humility, and Faith.

Vision

Harmonious, self-reliant, and self-supporting communities.

Philosophy

We share resources in the spirit of charity to improve the socio-economic life of the communities, following in the footsteps of Christ.

Mission

Caritas Mbarara exists to bring the spirit of charity to various levels and deliver services that cause integral development in the Archdiocese of Mbarara.

Objectives

  • To deliver services in the spirit of sharing and charity
  • To build the capacity of communities to be self-reliant and cause integral development
  • To mobilize resources locally and beyond

Formation Process

The formation process of Social Services and Development in the Archdiocese of Mbarara dates back to 1970 when the department was referred to as the "planning and development office." The office had one person planning for Health, Economic, and other Social activities at Diocesan and Parish Levels. The 1970s was a time of reconstructing hospital staff houses at Ibanda, mobilization of human drugs, construction of ranches, water projects, giving students bursaries, institutional vehicles, construction of health units, and repairing some convents and presbyteries, as well as constructing some schools. Notable also was the formation of savings and credit societies at parish and lower levels.

Transformation and Achievements

During the 1980s and 1990s, the department transformed into a phase of relief, social welfare services, and rehabilitation and construction of structures. Since 2000, the department changed to the development approach, embracing participatory development approaches with emerging projects and programmes. This has been achieved under the management and governance of a multi-disciplinary Caritas Mbarara Commission that meets regularly, keeping the department on track even amidst COVID-19.

Projects and Programmes

Caritas Mbarara projects promote techniques that enhance soil fertility improvement for increased land productivity and environmental concerns, especially climate change, thus increasing food production at household levels. The projects include:

  • Sustainable Agricultural Practices (SAP)
  • Farmers Livelihood Improvement Project (FALIP)
  • Revolving Fund Programme (RFP)
  • The Health Programme
  • Building of a girl’s dormitory at St. Victor Secondary School, Katara, Kashorero Parish, Buhweju District

Key Achievements

  • Formation of groups benefiting from government programmes
  • Increased food availability and improved dietary practices
  • Increased number of children in school
  • Reduction of diseases due to improved sanitation and hygiene
  • Increased enterprise diversification and income-generating projects
  • Improved housing structures and acquisition of new assets
  • Increased farmers’ incomes through savings and loan associations (VSLA)
  • Construction of energy-saving stoves for environmental conservation
  • Formation of Caritas Diocesan Farmers Federation for networking, marketing, and advocacy
  • Improved performance of Diocesan Health Units through availability of drugs and reduced morbidity and mortality rates by 90%

Caritas Mbarara will continue its commitment to improving the socio-economic living conditions of the people in the Archdiocese of Mbarara.

Rev. Fr. Deusdedit Bukenya

Director, Caritas Mbarara