By KT Reporter
Msgr. Vincent De Paul Mukiibi, the Vicar General of Kasana–Luweero Diocese, has called for renewed efforts to engage families in income-generating activities as a means to combat poverty, which he says continues to fuel domestic violence. According to Msgr. Mukiibi, findings from a recent diocesan workshop on domestic violence revealed a strong link between poverty and household conflicts.
He explained that when families lack adequate income, tensions rise, and disagreements are more likely to escalate into violence. Addressing hundreds of couples during their weekend pilgrimage to Our Lady of Fatima Queen of Peace, Kasana Cathedral—where participants donated Shs3 million to support Bishop Lawrence Mukasa’s ongoing establishment of new parishes—Msgr.
Mukiibi emphasized that boosting household incomes is crucial to tackling this social crisis.This pilgrimage forms part of the ongoing observances of the Holy Jubilee Year 2025, during which parishes and diocesan institutions have been undertaking similar spiritual journeys.
Msgr. Mukiibi also called for greater transparency in how families manage income and resources. He noted that when finances are kept secret, wives and children may assume that the head of household is withholding support, even if that is not the case—an assumption that can create resentment. Conversely, when there is openness, family members are more likely to spend responsibly and appreciate the breadwinner’s efforts.
Presenting the annual report from the Family Apostolate on behalf of Mr. Steven Mukasa, Diocesan Head of the Married Couples, Dorothy Kajubi Godfrey, the Diocesan Matron of Married Couples, announced plans to intensify sensitization efforts in the coming year.
She said the Diocese will begin with a one-week retreat for married couples, already approved by the Bishop through the Chaplain. The programme will later expand to all parishes, focusing on child nurturing and upbringing, alongside campaigns against domestic violence and education on how to prevent it.
Domestic violence has long been a serious concern in Luwero. On February 25, 2023, Uganda Radio Network (URN) reported a disturbing rise in cases, alarming local leaders. According to the Police Crime Report for 2022, Luwero District recorded 501 domestic violence cases, up from 340 in 2021. This sharp increase moved Luwero from the ninth most-affected district to the second worst-affected nationwide, behind only Kiryandongo, which registered 520 cases.
Joyce Namigadde, the Senior Probation Officer for Luwero District, attributed the rise to conflicts stemming from rapid urbanization, alcoholism, property grabbing, unemployment, and other social pressures. She noted that many cases led to injuries and displacement of women and children, while numerous incidents went unreported, often being settled by local councils instead of the police.
In the same URN report, Ronald Ndawula, then Luwero District Chairperson for the National Resistance Movement (NRM), echoed Msgr. Mukiibi’s concerns, noting that families trapped in poverty are more vulnerable to domestic violence. He emphasized the need for government programmes that directly alleviate household poverty.Over the years, the government has rolled out several initiatives championed by President Yoweri Museveni aimed at reducing household poverty.
Among the most recent and widely publicized programmes are Emyooga and the Parish Development Model (PDM)—flagship interventions designed to boost household incomes at the grassroots level.Emyooga supports specialized enterprise groups, while the PDM channels resources directly to parishes, the lowest administrative units, to uplift families trapped in the subsistence economy.
However, despite significant government investment and ongoing mobilization, official assessments and public reports indicate that both programmes have yet to yield the desired results. Implementation gaps, limited financial literacy among beneficiaries, and mismanagement concerns in some areas have slowed progress toward achieving meaningful reductions in household poverty.
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