Bishop Mwesigwa Urges Ugandans to Shun Foreign Aid, Embrace Self-Reliance

The Rt. Rev. Associate Professor Sheldon Mwesigwa, Bishop of Ankole Diocese, has called on Ugandans to move away from dependence on foreign aid and instead focus on building a self-sufficient economy. Bishop Mwesigwa made the remarks while preaching during the 48th commemoration of St. Janani Luwum's Day at Wigweng in Mucwini West Sub-county, Kitgum District, on Sunday.

"Foreign aid is not sustainable," Bishop Mwesigwa warned. "We must work hard to become self-sufficient and not rely on handouts from donors." He highlighted the example of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), a major source of funding for various projects in Uganda. However, he noted the unpredictability of such aid, citing a period when former President Donald Trump signed an executive order pausing USAID funding.

"This crippled the activities of many agencies and organizations that rely on USAID funding, severely affecting several sectors," Bishop Mwesigwa said. "We must not find ourselves in a similar situation. We need to build our economy and stop depending on foreign aid."

The bishop's call resonated with the congregation, many of whom acknowledged the importance of reducing Uganda’s reliance on foreign donors. "We must take responsibility for our development," said Christine Ayubu, a foot pilgrim from Gulu city. "We cannot continue to rely on donors to fund our projects. We must work hard to build our economy."

Bishop Mwesigwa also pointed to the late St. Janani Luwum, who, after completing his studies in the United Kingdom, chose to return to Uganda instead of staying abroad. "We must take control of our own destiny," Bishop Mwesigwa emphasized. "Only then can we achieve true prosperity and development." 

This year's commemoration of St. Janani Luwum's Day, held under the theme "Imitating God's Goodness by Doing Good" (Galatians 6:9-10), was attended by hundreds of Christians from across the region. The event featured prayers, hymns, and reflections on the life and legacy of St. Janani Luwum, the renowned martyr who was killed during President Idi Amin's regime in 1979. The celebration was jointly organized by the Diocese of Northern Uganda and Kitgum Diocese.