Kampala, Uganda | The Archdiocese of Mbarara Development Association (AMDA) on Friday evening hosted a grand partners’ appreciation dinner at Kabira Country Club, celebrating the success of the 2025 AMDA Caravan and honoring members, donors, and organizations that contributed to its impact.
The thanksgiving event brought together clergy, corporate partners, and members of the Catholic fraternity in a night dedicated to gratitude, accountability, and renewed commitment to transforming rural communities through faith and service.
AMDA Chairman, Chris Gumisiriza, described the gathering as both a celebration and a reflection on the association’s collective achievements through its signature outreach initiative the AMDA Caravan. The annual program delivers professional, health, and development services to rural communities across the Archdiocese of Mbarara.
“Each year, we go back to our home parishes to offer services aimed at improving community welfare,” Gumisiriza said. “This dinner is to thank everyone who supported us and to seek continued partnership as we prepare for next year’s caravan in Nyabwina.”
He revealed that AMDA raised nearly Shs 500 million in cash and in-kind donations this year, funding medical camps, health facility upgrades, community education, and agricultural empowerment projects. While commending the government’s infrastructure investments, Gumisiriza emphasized the continued need for more specialized medical personnel in rural areas.
The 2025 Caravan, hosted by Kibona and Nyamitanga Parishes, left a lasting impact on the community. Parish coordinator David Mugisha highlighted its blend of faith-based outreach and practical empowerment.
“In Kibona, the caravan inspired mindset change, showcased modern farming techniques, and supported family development,” Mugisha said. “At Kibona Vocational School, AMDA built new bathrooms, renovated old facilities, installed water tanks, and converted a parish hall into a clinic equipped with beds, mattresses, and medical supplies.”
In line with its green and economic empowerment agenda, AMDA distributed 5,000 coffee seedlings and 5,000 Hass avocado seedlings to farmers an initiative aimed at boosting household incomes and promoting environmental sustainability.
“The community is now greener and more hopeful,” Mugisha noted. “These seedlings symbolize growth both economic and environmental.”
The caravan also promoted social resilience through youth mentorship, family counselling, and inheritance planning sessions, encouraging families to embrace unity, education, and responsible legacy management.
Now in its 11th year, the AMDA Caravan has become a hallmark of faith-driven development a platform where professionals from Kampala reconnect with their roots to share expertise and support education, health, and livelihoods.
Looking ahead to the 2026 Caravan in Nyabwina Parish, Gumisiriza reaffirmed AMDA’s commitment: “We are building not just infrastructure, but stronger, healthier, and more hopeful communities. That is what AMDA stands for a mission we can only achieve together.”