MESSAGE BY AMDA CHAIRPERSON

MESSAGE BY AMDA CHAIRPERSON

On behalf of AMDA and on my own behalf, I warmly welcome you to today’s End of Year Thanksgiving Mass. As another year draws to a close, we pause to reflect upon the events that have shaped 2025 and the journey we have walked together as an association.
As we approach the dawn of the New Year, I invite you to join me in giving thanks to our faithful God for His continued provision, protection, and care throughout 2025. We are grateful for the fellowship we share, for walking together in unity, and for the growth we have experienced in line with our theme for the year: “Pilgrims of Hope.”
Reflecting on 2025, we acknowledge that the year brought both joys and challenges, yet in all things, we thank God for His faithfulness in carrying us through.
2025 Highlights
Unity Pillar:
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Monthly prayers every last Sunday, small group meetings, and celebrations of weddings and anniversaries.
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Through the AMDA Bereavement Fund (ABF 1 with 800 members and ABF 2 with 282 members), we supported families in times of loss.
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We mourn the passing of Mrs. Teddy Ishungisa, Mr. Stanly Mulumba and his wife Deborah, and 34 members who lost loved ones. May their souls rest in eternal peace.
Spiritual Development:
We have prayed together as a family, with the parishes of Birunduma, Bihanga, Rwenkobwa, Ishongorero, Kenyena-Kyezimbire animating Mass. Also, PCJ – Philosophy Center Jinja, Education Council/Teachers, Holy Cross Lake View S.S.S, AMDA SACCO , AMDA Whatsapp administrators animated Mass. This has contributed to our spiritual journey. We organized retreats, pilgrimages, and recollections, including the pilgrimage to Our Lady of Sorrows in Kibeho, Rwanda, and the MEPA pilgrimage to Namugongo. During the last caravan, 2000 medals and 1360 rosaries were distributed.
Economic Empowerment Pillar:
The AMDA SACCO Established in 2012, aims to promote thrift, savings, and financial stability among members.
In 2025, the SACCO achieved a membership of 965, a capital base of 3,326,000,000 UGX, and distributed dividends at a rate of 12.5% per annum. The SACCO has also provided affordable loans that enabled many members to start or expand small businesses, strengthening their economic growth.
In a historical share’s growth campaign, the AMDA SACCO gave out a brand-new car to the winner of the raffle that was part of the campaign.
In the caravan to Nyamitanga and Kibona parish, we distributed 4,000 Robusta coffee seedlings and 6,000 fruit seedlings, and trained women in various skills such as soap-making and baking. We also held talks on financial literacy and mindset change in Kibona and Nyamitanga alongside providing veterinary services and animal health programs.

Education Pillar:
In our caravan to Nyamitanga, we donated 100 textbooks for the new curriculum. We also supported the training of 100 secondary school teachers in the new curriculum.
The education council gave scholarships to 3 students from S.1 to S.6.
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Holy Cross SSS Jinja -Nyamitanga Parish S1 to S.6
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Standard High School Zana -Kiboona Parish S1 to S.6
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Timbitwire Girls School-Nyamitanga Parish S1 to S.6, (offered to Sisters of poor Clares)
Environmental Sustainability Pillar:
Through the Environmental Sustainability Council, we promoted environmental consciousness. We distributed 24,000 eucalyptus tree seedlings and conducted sensitizations on waste management, tree planting, and conservation agriculture.
The AMDA Caravan:
The 11th AMDA Caravan to Nyamitanga Parish was a great success, and we thank God for it! The AMDA Caravan is an annual outreach mission to select home parishes in Mbarara Archdiocese, where AMDA members originate. This year’s caravan was particularly exciting as it attracted the highest number of specialized medical services, brought in new partners, and implemented several modified activities to enhance our impact. over 5,430 patients received vital medical care, including consultations, treatments, and health education. These also Included including 40 cataract surgeries, 40 cleft repairs, 14 hearing aids, and 413 reading glasses. We also screened 529
people for cancer, treated 359 at the dental clinic, and donated 231 pints of blood
During the caravan, 260 AMDA members participated in various voluntary activities aimed at strengthening and empowering the Catholic communities of Nyamitanga and Kibona parishes. These activities centered on our seven AMDA pillars: Unity, Spiritual Development, Leadership Development, Economic Empowerment, Education, Health and Wellness and Environmental Sustainability.
•In addition to the activities and donations from the other councils, Pro bono legal services and referrals from the legal council and Interactive sessions on championing change, Empowering Growth, Creating Renewal and Leading with a Mission from the leadership council,
AMDA Rubaga Construction Project
I heartily thank the animating parishes and groups throughout the year 2025 who were able to raise funds towards construction of the Multipurpose Hall and a Clergy residence at Rubaga. With these resources, we have been able handover the two floors of the clergy residence tiled, painted and habitable. During the Tutaahe Rubaga event held on 24th November, 2024, mobilize UGX 762 Million in both cash and pledges though most of the pledges remain unfulfilled and encourage members remain unfulfilled.
Key 2026 Reflections
As we enter 2026, I encourage you to reflect on how you can better support AMDA activities and the newly selected leaders. Specifically, I would like to highlight:
1.Harmonization of Programs:
We have begun working on an annual AMDA calendar of events. I request that the planned activities by different groupings be shared with the secretariat to avoid overlapping.
2.Registration of AMDA members
AMDA continues to grow, we recognize the urgent need to update and maintain a detailed register of our members. This exercise is not just administrative; it is foundational to improving how we serve you. I therefore, warmly invite each of you to take part in the registration exercise. This is not simply filling in forms — it is about making sure your voice is heard, your needs are known, and your contributions are recognized. A detailed register is the key to building stronger fellowship, delivering services more effectively, and ensuring that every member of AMDA is cared for and included. By registering, you help us plan better, respond faster, and grow together as one family of faith. Let us embrace this opportunity with joy and commitment, knowing that our participation strengthens AMDA today and secures its future for generations to come.
3.Leadership Prayers:
Uganda will hold its 2026 general elections, and as people of faith, we are called to pray for peace, unity, and fairness during this important time in our country’s history.
We especially lift up our AMDA members who are currently vying for different positions in public life. May the Lord grant them wisdom, integrity, and courage to serve with humility and dedication. Let us stand with them in prayer and moral support, recognizing that their leadership is not only a personal calling but also a reflection of our shared mission to build communities rooted in justice, compassion, and hope.