The Bishop of Busoga Diocese, Rt. Rev. Prof. Dr. Grace Lubaale on Sunday launched a UGX 600 million strategic development plan for St. Luke’s Church of Uganda, Bufuula Parish under Wakitaka Archdeaconry pitching it as an antidote to what Christians countrywide now call “basket fatigue.”
The launch, held during a thanksgiving service at the parish in Wakitaka Archdeaconry, comes as believers across Uganda openly decry relentless financial demands in worship.
Congregants say a single Sunday service can see as many as ten different offertory baskets passed around for church teacher welfare, parish priest welfare, archdeacon welfare, bishop welfare, and building contributions, and tithes, among others.
The pressure has pushed some churches to adopt Mobile Money and church bank accounts to widen collection nets.
Yet reports from several regions allege that some church leaders now employ manipulative and coercive tactics to extract giving.
Disillusioned Christians have started nicknaming pastors and reverends as “revenue collectors,” saying they have abandoned the biblical calling to be spiritual correctors and shepherds.
With the Middle East conflict (the US/Israel-Iran War) pushing fuel prices to 10,000 shillings per litre at some upcountry stations, household budgets are buckling under school fees, medical bills, and transport costs.
“We love God, but we fear Sunday services, people are staying home not because they do not believe, but because they cannot afford to believe in public,” some believers complain.
The Theology of Giving-Between Basket Fatigue and Biblical Mandate.
Although some Christians today have a negative attitude towards giving calling pastors and reverends revenue collectors and skipping Sunday to avoid multiple offertory baskets, the Bible (both OT and NT) is clear that supporting Church activities and programmes is both correct and Biblical.
Thanksgiving: Muranga Honors God, Mother, and Community.
In an emotional moment during the service, the vision bearer Rev. Canon Prof. Florence Isabirye Muranga stood alongside her mother Mama Christine Isabirye smartly dressed in a white spotted Mothers Union gomesi and looking strong because of the good care she receives.
They were joined by Rev. Canon (rtd) Grace Kaiso, former Secretary General of the Uganda Joint Christian Council; Ordinand Sarah Mwegombi and her husband Joseph George Mwegombi, an education consultant; George Takakaisa, a retired teacher; Eva Miyongabo, Human Resource personnel with Iganga District Local Government; Edward Kamaga, District Education Officer for Kaliro; and Richard Waiswa, to thank God for His faithfulness and love. The other family brother who also graced the ceremony was Dr Ephraim Batambuze, a consultant physician at Nakasero Hospital in Kampala.
“We cannot take it for granted, the Lord has been faithful to us, we have achieved a lot in life, and it is only by His grace”, Prof. Muranga told the congregation.
The testimony drew nods and amens from the packed church, with overflow crowds on the veranda and under mango trees.
From Baskets to Buildings: The Bufulubi Answer.
According to the Concept Note, St. Luke’s Church Bufuula sits on 13 acres of Diocese-owned land, much of it unused. Church leadership now plans to construct a two-storied block on the premises. The structure will house five independent units, with two units on the ground floor and three units on the upper floor.
Each unit is designed as a self-contained 2-bedroom house for dignified residential living, with a living area, kitchen space with provision for cooking equipment, a private bathroom with shower facility and toilet, and bedrooms sized for natural light and wardrobe space.
The block will be permanent masonry with durable finishes suitable for rental use. Every unit will have water, sanitation, and electricity connections. Access to the upper floor will be through a common staircase while ground-floor units will have direct entry, and the compound will have secure external doors and boundary provisions.
The total project cost is estimated between 500 million and 600 million shillings, with the first phase of construction envisaged to cost slightly above 100 million shillings. A detailed Bill of Quantities will be developed to confirm final costs for funders and the Diocese.
Rental income will be transparently managed under Diocesan oversight and channeled to routine church operations and maintenance, pastoral and lay staff welfare, community health, education and social outreach, premises improvement, a reserve fund for future capital needs, and servicing any construction financing.
A Property Oversight Sub-Committee will handle supervision, tenancy, and income accountability, with formal tenancy agreements executed under Ugandan law and quarterly financial reports submitted to the Church and Diocese.
Prof. Muranga’s Three-Phase Roadmap and “Mini City” Vision.
Prof. Muranga, a highly decorated Ugandan biochemist, food scientist, academic, and corporate executive who serves as Director General of the Banana Industrial Research and Development Centre, said implementation will move in three connected phases.
First, the church will launch the plan and generate a comprehensive master plan for productive land use. Second, it will engage and contract a qualified builder to deliver the ground and upper floor structure, complete roofing, finishes, doors, windows, and painting, and install water, sanitation and electrical systems for each unit.
Third, the project will undergo inspection and snagging, formalization of tenancy agreements and rental policy, community announcement, and commencement of first tenancy. She added that the third phase will include a mega fundraising drive to be attended by the crème de la crème in the country.
A daughter of Bufuula years ago married in Ankole, Prof. Muranga spoke softly as the church erupted in deafening applause and ululations. She declared that the “small, little-known Bufuula village which peeps River Nile from a distance will become a mini city where people from all over the world will visit the way they do to Nazareth.”
Butembe Constituency MP Elect Kirya Wanzala On Master Plan.
Grace Paddy Kirya Wanzala who attended the thanksgiving service with his wife Jennifer Kirya pledged to work closely with Rev Can Prof Florence Isabirye Muranga and Busoga Diocese leadership to develop a realistic and workable Master Plan for St Luke’s Church of Uganda, Bufuula.
“We can not build in pieces and pray it holds, if this church is to become self-sustaining and Bufuula is to grow into the mini city Prof Muranga envisions, we need one clear roadmap. I commit my office to walk with the Professor and the Church to design a Master Plan that is practical, bankable and God-honoring”, said the FDC politician.
The pledge was welcomed by Bishop Lubaale, (who also had his wife Claire) and drew applause from congregants who have long complained that church projects usually start with excitement but stall for lack of planning.
What Is A Master Plan?
It is a comprehensive, long-term blueprint that shows how land, buildings and resources will be used over time. Think of it as the big picture map before you lay a single brick or block.
KCCA’s Kigenyi Pledges $2,500, Hails Bishop’s Leadership.
Deputy Executive Director of Kampala Capital City Authority Benon Kigenyi, whose ancestral home is a stone’s throw from the church, pledged 2,500 US dollars over five years, giving 500 dollars annually toward the project.
Given the microphone, Kigenyi praised Bishop Lubaale as part of “the latest crops of spiritual leaders that have come to the leadership arena of Busoga,” as opposed to what were there in the past.
He said the project is happening now because “the people of Busoga now have hope in the leadership of Busoga Diocese,” describing Bishop Lubaale as visionary and dynamic.
Kigenyi, whose brother Amos Kigenyi is popularly known by his stage name Gen Mega Dee and lives in the U.S., said “there are many Murangas who will soon join hands or come out with great projects to make Busoga Great Again,” borrowing from Donald Trump’s trademark slogan.
Bishop Lubaale: “This Is Obedience, Not Business.
Bishop Lubaale lauded Prof. Muranga as innovative and foresighted. “Once actualized, the Bufuula Church project will become a role model in the diocese and the whole of Busoga for posterity,” he said.
Quoting Psalm 24:1, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it,” the bishop told congregants the Church cannot keep 13 acres idle while the work of God needs resources. “This is obedience, not business,” he stressed.
The service was attended by Archdeacon Ven. Rev. Canon Capt. Alfred Kasaya, priests, lay readers, and dignitaries including Jinja North MP-elect Hussein Muyonjo aka Swengere, Butembe MP-Elect Grace Paddy Kirya Wanzala and headteacher Kiira College Butiiki Moses Semwanga among others.
A National Conversation.
The Bufulubi plan is landing at a moment when the conversation about church financing has gone national. The shift to Mobile Money and bank accounts has made giving easier, but also more relentless, according to critics. The rise of “revenue collector” jibes signal a deeper crisis of trust between pulpit and pew.
The strategic plan is promoted by the family of the late Zedekia and Mama Christine Isabirye, and the family of the late Rev. Kamira. Next steps include formal Diocesan endorsement, confirmation of site boundaries, commissioning architectural drawings and a detailed Bill of Quantities, engagement with funders, and constitution of the Property Oversight Sub-Committee.
As the congregation dispersed, one elder said: “We don’t want to run from church. We want to run to it. If these houses can quiet the baskets, then build them quickly. Let our Amen be free again.”
TEU Explainer: Who Is Rev Canon Prof Florence Isabirye Muranga?
Nutrition & Sports Diplomacy. Nutrition Ambassador, Uganda Olympic Committee & Commonwealth Games Association of Uganda. She was appointed to drive athlete nutrition, food security, and healthy diets using Uganda’s indigenous crops.
She designs high-energy tooke banana products for Team Uganda athletes and promotes nutrition education ahead of the Olympics, Commonwealth, and All Africa Games.
Her mandate: “Fuel champions with Ugandan science.”
Impact: Pushed for banana flour porridge and energy bars in national team camps. Links BIRDC’s research to sports performance and youth health.
Global Advocacy for Women.
Rev Can Muranga is also the ambassador, UN Women Global: Represents Uganda in UN Women’s advocacy on women’s economic empowerment, STEM, and rural industrialization. She champions agro-processing as a pathway for women to move from subsistence farming to factory ownership.
Focus areas: Women in science, land rights, and climate-smart agriculture. Regular speaker at UN Women forums on “From Garden to GDP.”
Busoga link: Uses her platform to spotlight rural women in Busoga as industrial producers, not just food providers.
FULL BIO: Rev. Canon Prof. Florence Isabirye Muranga.
Education & Scientific Career.
PhD in Biochemistry, Makerere University; advanced training at University of Reading, UK.
Professor of Food Science & Technology, Makerere University — 20+ years, supervised dozens of MSc/PhD students.
Pioneer of banana industrialization: Proved matooke could be milled into flour, starch, biscuits, bread, and biofuel. Her research turned a perishable staple into Uganda’s industrial crop.
Director General, BIRDC: Heads the Banana Industrial Research & Development Centre, a State House Presidential Initiative in Bushenyi. Runs factory, R&D, and farmer outreach.
National & Corporate Leadership.
PIBID Architect: Core team of Presidential Initiative on Banana Industrial Development since 2005. Boards: NARO Council, Uganda National Council for Science & Technology, UIRI, and private agro-firms.
Awards: National honors for science & innovation. Recognized by FAO, AU, and World Bank for rural industrialization.
Church & Ministry.
Ordained: Reverend Canon, Church of Uganda, Busoga Diocese.
Stewardship Theology: Preaches that “land is liturgy” — assets must work for the Gospel.
Bufulubi Project: Vision bearer of UGX 600M rental housing block at St. Luke’s C.O.U. Designed 3-phase rollout to make the church self-supporting and turn Bufuula into a “mini city.”
Diplomacy & Advocacy.
UOC & Commonwealth Games: Nutrition Ambassador — links food science to medal counts.
UN Women Global Ambassador: Voice for women in STEM, agro-industry, and Church-based development.
Public Intellectual: TEDx speaker on “Science as Worship.” Frames labs and land as altars.
Personal.
Roots: Daughter of the late Zedekia Isabirye and Mama Christine Isabirye of Bufulubi, Wakitaka Parish.
Family: Married in Ankole, Western Uganda. Mother, mentor, scientist-priest.
Reputation: Bishop Lubaale calls her “innovative and foresighted.” KCCA’s Benon Kigenyi says Busoga needs “many Murangas” to become “Great Again.”
Key Publications & Patents.
Muranga, F.I. et al. Composition and physicochemical properties of banana starch. Food Chemistry, 2000.
Muranga, F.I. Banana fruit flour: A potential raw material for the baking industry. African Journal of Food Science, 2008.
Patents: Co-holder of Ugandan patents on banana flour processing, tooke biscuits, and composite flours via BIRDC.
Policy Papers: Lead author on PIBID industrialization blueprints and UN Women reports on rural women & value chains.
Book Chapter: Value Addition to Bananas in East Africa, 2016.
Why She Matters A Lot More Now.
Prof. Muranga sits at the intersection of lab, pulpit, Olympics, and UN. She is using banana starch for athletes, church land for rentals, and global platforms for Busoga and Uganda’s women.
At a time when Christians nickname pastors “revenue collectors” and decry “basket fatigue,” her model says: Do Not tax the sheep, industrialize the field.
Described as innovative and foresighted by Busoga Diocesan Bishop Rt Rev Prof Dr Grace Lubaale, KCCA Deputy ED Benon Kigenyi says Busoga now needs just 10 Murangas to become Great Again.
