Construction of the 1,600-seater St. Paul Church of Uganda Nyangilia in Koboko District is set to resume nearly four years after the project stalled due to financial constraints, following renewed fundraising efforts, a loan from Trinity SACCO, and a partnership with Uganda Baati. The church, under the Diocese of Madi-West Nile, was officially launched on September 9, 2015, when retired Archbishop Stanley Ntagali laid the foundation stone.
Although work progressed in phases over the years, construction stalled in 2022 after the walling stage because the estimated Shs4 billion required to complete the project could not be fully mobilised. To revive the project, the Project Management Committee introduced several local fundraising initiatives, including asking each of the estimated 50,000 Christians across the archdeaconry’s 18 parishes to contribute at least Shs5,000.
Patrick Bongo, the Chairperson of the Project Management Committee, said the response from Christians has been encouraging, with about Shs15 million collected since May this year. He said the committee is optimistic that more contributions will be received as awareness about the campaign grows.
To bridge the funding gap, the committee also secured a Shs60 million loan from Trinity SACCO Koboko, a Church of Uganda-founded institution. In addition, on May 15, 2026, the committee signed an agreement with Uganda Baati to supply roofing materials worth Shs515 million, payable in five instalments.
Under the arrangement, the committee has already paid the first instalment of Shs50 million and a second instalment of Shs120 million. The remaining payments of Shs210 million, Shs80 million and Shs50 million will be made according to the agreed schedule. Uganda Baati has already delivered part of the roofing materials, and installation of the steel truss system is expected to begin soon.
Site Engineer Daniel Kisekka said the first consignment consists of galvanised steel trusses designed to provide a durable framework for the roof. “The steel trusses are galvanised to prevent rust and corrosion. They are lightweight but offer a high strength-to-weight ratio,” Kisekka said. Despite the progress, the committee has renewed its appeal to President Yoweri Museveni to fulfil the balance of a Shs1.2 billion pledge he made during an earlier fundraising drive.
Records show that only Shs230 million has so far been released, leaving an outstanding balance of Shs970 million. Christian Joel Arube appealed to the President to honour the remaining pledge, saying it would significantly accelerate completion of the church.
Another Christian, Miriam Aya, said completing the church would recognise the area’s historic contribution to spreading Christianity in Uganda and neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo. She also commended Christians for continuing to support the project despite delays in fulfilling earlier fundraising pledges.
The committee also expressed concern over Shs37 million in outstanding pledges made during a fundraising drive held in August last year. Although the event raised Shs123 million, it fell far short of the targeted Shs859 million needed for roofing works and clearing outstanding obligations.
Currently, worshippers continue to use the old church building adjacent to the construction site, which leaders say is too small for the growing congregation. Koboko Archdeacon Venerable Alice Adakuru said the new church will provide adequate worship space once completed.
The Project Management Committee is planning another major fundraising drive in October to raise additional funds for completion of the church and repayment of the Shs60 million Trinity SACCO loan. Once completed, the church is expected to serve as the headquarters of a proposed new diocese to be carved out of the Diocese of Madi-West Nile after the current moratorium on creating new dioceses is lifted. The proposed diocese would comprise the archdeaconries of Madi, Koboko, Maracha, Aringa and Keri-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
