Amolatar deputy RDC urges christians to embrace commercial Irrigation and government programes

15 June 2026, 9:55 pm

By Sarah Ejang

Christians in Amolatar District have been urged to embrace commercial agriculture, irrigation, and government wealth creation programmes to boost their incomes and support community development.The call was made by the Deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Obonyo Magwar, during his fellowship visit to the Prisons Church of Uganda.Speaking to the congregation on Sunday, June 14, 2026, Deputy RDC Magwar challenged the church to transition from rain-fed agriculture to modern off-season farming. He advised the church to utilize the expanding Lake Kyoga waters by pumping water uphill to irrigate maize plantations and other high-value crops. This water, he noted, would serve the church, Uganda Prisons, and the surrounding community for both commercial and domestic use.To actualize this, Magwar promised to engage the district technical team and the Ministry of Water, while appointing Mr. Saitoti Maxwell to coordinate with the Office of the President.Beyond irrigation, the Deputy RDC urged Christians to actively participate in government initiatives like the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyoga. He emphasized that the church should offer best practices in implementing PDM programs, setting a model example for the rest of the community.Magwar also advocated for the adoption of high-value cash crops, specifically urging farmers to venture into coffee and cotton production to maximize agricultural returns. Furthermore, he reminded parents of their foundational responsibility to support their children to benefit from Universal Primary Education (UPE) and Universal Secondary Education (USE) programs to secure the region’s future.In response, the Church Lay Reader, Adongo Sarah, commended the Office of the President for its continuous support. She welcomed the development ideas, including the formation of a church Savings and Credit Cooperative Organization (SACCO) to boost savings and credit access among believers.Adongo, however, strongly condemned the rising vices in the area, such as motorcycle theft and prostitution, which she blamed on a lack of fear for God. She called on the community to humble themselves and return to God to restore moral uprightness.The service concluded on a transformative note as a local youth, Apio Mercy, was inspired to apply for the ongoing Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) recruitment. This followed guidance during the service that serving the nation selflessly aligns directly with Christian values.The Prisons Church of Uganda recently received one and a half acres of land donated by the Amolatar District Administration. The land was given in recognition of the church’s outstanding spiritual and material support to inmates and other vulnerable community members, positioning it perfectly to champion these new agricultural and development milestones.