The Madi-West Nile Diocese of the Church of Uganda and Equity Bank Uganda are seeking to deepen their long-standing relationship through a formal partnership aimed at unlocking the economic potential of church assets and supporting development across the WestNile region.
The proposed partnership will go beyond conventional banking to focus on agriculture, education, healthcare, enterprise development, energy, environmental conservation and the commercialisation of church assets.
The diocese operates across 12 districts and 13 archdeaconries, with 150 parishes, 685 local churches and 221 active clergy. Over the years, Equity Bank has supported various diocesan activities and infrastructure projects, including the construction of its administrative office block on 7th Street in Arua city.
Diocesan Secretary Geoffrey Nasser said the relationship had grown beyond routine banking services to include support for clergy, church workers, graduates and community groups through financing and financial literacy initiatives.
“Equity Bank’s support extends far beyond corporate banking into the very heart of our community,” Nasser said, citing youth mentorship, individual loans and access to social credit for graduates among the areas of support.
The two institutions recently held discussions on formalising the relationship through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), with the proposed framework providing a coordinated approach to the diocese’s economic and social development priorities.
At the centre of the partnership is the potential to combine the diocese’s land, institutions and extensive community networks with Equity Bank’s financial and technical expertise.
Equity Bank Managing Director Gift Shoko said the objective was to help church institutions build stronger and more sustainable economic foundations.
“Our purpose as a Bank is to transform lives, give dignity and expand opportunities for wealth creation,” Shoko said. “By bringing our technical financial expertise to church projects, we allow church institutions, schools and land to become self-sustaining, financially independent entities.”
The diocese owns substantial land and operates schools, health facilities and other institutions that could generate income if strategically developed. Under the proposed partnership, commercial agriculture and forestry projects will be explored, alongside financing for the renovation and expansion of schools and health facilities.
The partnership will further support grassroots financial inclusion through savings groups, including those involving refugees and host communities, with financial literacy and appropriate financing options.
Equity Bank has already provided about Shs4 billion towards construction of the Jubilee Administrative Building, a project conceived as part of the diocese’s 50th anniversary celebrations.
Bishop Rt Rev Dr Charles Collins Andaku said the building was intended to provide a permanent administrative home for the diocese.
The proposed formal partnership comes as faith-based institutions increasingly explore ways to make their assets financially sustainable while continuing to meet their social responsibilities.
For Madi-West Nile Diocese, the goal is to ensure its land, institutions and human resources contribute more effectively to long-term development across West Nile region.
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