St. Joseph’s Catholic Parish Busunju in Mityana district is seeking UGX 300 million to complete a new church building designed to accommodate 3,000 worshippers, as its congregation grows to about 80,000 people.

The church, which has been roofed and plastered inside, is already being used for worship, but parish leaders are mobilising funds to complete the remaining works and provide a more suitable place for religious services.

At a fundraising ceremony held at the parish on October 18th, 2026, the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Jacob Marksons Oboth, represented by Lands Minister Judith Nabakooba, called on Christians and well-wishers to contribute towards the project.

In a speech read on his behalf, Oboth said completing the church required collective effort, urging Christians to contribute according to their financial abilities. He donated UGX 20 million towards the project.

“Some can give much, others can give little, but all of us can give something,” he said, encouraging parishioners to mobilise friends, relatives and colleagues to support the fundraising drive.

Oboth noted that the new church would serve both present and future generations, including schoolchildren who would eventually bring their families to worship there.

He added that the project was not merely about constructing a building but establishing a place where Christians could worship and encounter God for generations.

Citing Psalm 127:1, which states, “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labour in vain,” Oboth urged Christians to draw inspiration from the Scripture as they supported the project.

The parish traces its origins to Fr. Laflam, then parish priest of Bukalamuli, who established a small church in Busunju to serve about 200 Christians. He also built a modest residence for priests, hoping the area would eventually become a fully fledged parish.

The congregation has since grown to about 80,000 people across the parish, increasing the demand for a larger worship facility. The elevation of Busunju to town council status and the presence of schools in the area have also contributed to the growing need for church space.

Speaker Oboth said the original church had become too small to accommodate the growing number of worshippers, forcing priests to celebrate Mass outside the building.

He added that changing weather conditions often disrupted services and caused discomfort among worshippers.

“The people of God deserve better,” he said, arguing that the new facility would provide adequate space for liturgical celebrations and the administration of sacraments regardless of the weather.

During the function, 237 children received the sacrament of Confirmation, while 22 received their First Holy Communion.

The parish priest, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Kiyemba, urged the children to remain committed to their faith and demonstrate Christian values in their daily lives.

He challenged them to become ambassadors of Christ and warned against misconduct after the religious celebrations.

“You are wearing white, which signifies cleanliness, inside and outside. Don’t go back and start stealing,” Fr. Kiyemba said.

He also urged the children to continue attending church, participating in Sunday Mass and allowing God to guide their conduct.

The Mass was presided over by Kasana-Luwero Diocese Vicar General, Rev. Fr. Vincent Mukiibi.

Parish leaders also used the occasion to remind President Museveni of his pledge to provide the church with a tractor to boost agriculture and a coaster bus for the parish school.

According to church leaders, the President made the pledges during his Parish Development Model tour last year.

Nabakooba promised to remind the President about the commitments, assuring the church that the pledges would be fulfilled.