By Eric Yiga
Mukono Diocese has turned to mass mobilisation and community fundraising in a fresh drive to raise the Shs5 billion needed to complete its new cathedral.
The diocese is targeting more than 20,000 participants for a fundraising run scheduled for October 3, 2026, as church leaders seek to rally Christians, businesses and well-wishers behind the project.
The run will start at the cathedral premises and cover surrounding communities, combining physical exercise with a fundraising campaign aimed at giving Christians a direct stake in the construction of the cathedral.
Bishop Enos Kagodo addresing the media after the launch
Bishop Enos Kagodo said the run is part of a broader fundraising strategy to raise the resources required to complete the project.
“We are looking for about Shs5 billion to complete this noble work. This is one of the ways of collecting money,” Kagodo said.
The diocese has also distributed fundraising envelopes to Christians, encouraging each faithful to contribute Shs20,000 towards the construction.
Participants in the October run will contribute the same amount through the purchase of a branded running jersey.
The New Catherdal with is under construction
Kagodo said the campaign was not simply about raising money but also mobilising Christians to take ownership of a project that is expected to serve the diocese for generations.
“When Christians contribute towards the project, they become part of its history,” he said.
Cathedral to accommodate 6,000
Once completed, the cathedral is expected to accommodate between 5,000 and 6,000 worshippers, significantly increasing the diocese’s capacity to host major religious functions and gatherings.
The project is expected to provide Mukono with a larger and more permanent centre of worship capable of serving the growing Christian community.
Claire Kemigisha, Eurofoam’s marketing manager addresing media after the launch
The fundraising campaign has already attracted support from the private sector.
Eurofoam has pledged 100 bags of cement and 200 running jerseys to support the initiative. The jerseys will be distributed to communities and participants who may not be able to afford them.
Claire Kemigisha, Eurofoam’s marketing manager, said the company would remain involved in the project until its completion.
The company will also provide mattresses as prizes for winners in different race categories.
Kemigisha was among the first people to purchase a jersey from Bishop Kagodo during the launch of the run.
Centenary Bank, another major promoter of the fundraising drive, has contributed 142 bags of cement towards the construction.
Partners standing with Mukono Bishop The Rt Rev Enos Kitto Kagodo during the launch
The bank has also pledged continued support for the campaign and urged participants to embrace digital payment platforms instead of carrying cash during fundraising activities.
Call for community support
Church leaders are now calling on Christians, the business community and other well-wishers to participate in the October 3 run and contribute towards the cathedral project.
The diocese hopes the participation of more than 20,000 people will translate into thousands of individual contributions and corporate pledges, helping to bridge the remaining financing gap.
For Mukono Diocese, the run represents both a fundraising opportunity and a test of the community’s commitment to a cathedral expected to become a major landmark and centre of worship for generations to come.
