Kampala city tycoons have promised to mobilise money to help clear the sh60b debt that the Church of Uganda owes Equity Bank.

Equity Bank extended credit to the Church of Uganda to construct the Church House along Kampala Road.

The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Dr Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu, is leading the drive to raise funds to pay off the loan. sh164m collected During service at the home of Godfrey Kirumira in Buziga, a Kampala suburb, on Sunday, the tycoons promised to reach out to all their colleagues to clear the debt. The businessmen contributed sh164m during the service.

Others who attended the service included Nnabagereka Sylvia Nagginda and Kampala University proprietor Prof. Badru Kateregga.

Kirumira said the fundraising was on short notice, adding that he could not invite all his colleagues to attend the scientific ceremony.

Kirumira, Ham Kiggundu and Margaret Ssekidde contributed sh20m, while Emmanuel Katongole and his workers contributed sh30m.

Open churches

“We have been facing a lot of challenges due to COVID-19 and this was the first opportunity to pray together and listen to the word of God from religious leaders. With the mercy of God, we know we shall overcome the hard times, including many of our properties that are being threatened by banks, such as the Church House,” Kirumira said after the function.

He appealed to President Yoweri Museveni to consider opening churches and mosques to let people pray together again.

“We want to once again dedicate ourselves to God to calm our hearts,” he explained.

Kirumira also appealed to all business people to contribute money to clear the Church House debt.

Kiggundu said he stands with anyone who believes in God, regardless of faith, which explains why he contributed sh20m.

Kaziimba said although Kirumira is a Catholic, they have worked with him to accomplish a number of projects for the Church of Uganda.

Kaziimba noted that the COVID-19 lockdown had helped the country to control the spread of the virus, adding that he expected the Government to consider reopening of churches and mosques.

“We will continue to appeal to our people to remain calm and wait for the two months to elapse. Although they are not going to churches, they should continue to protect themselves against COVID-19 and observe the standard operating procedures,” he said.

Equity Bank extended credit to the Church of Uganda.