KAMPALA: Dr. Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu, the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, has revealed that the Church has repaid the Shs60 billion loan that was used to construct Church House. According to Mugalu, Church House is now entirely owned by the Church of Uganda.
“We have successfully paid off the debt. Church House now fully belongs to the Church of Uganda,” he said during the Martyrs Day celebrations in Namugongo.
Kaziimba Mugalu conveyed his appreciation to President Museveni, his predecessors, bishops, Christians in every diocese, and all other supporters—both Anglican and non-Anglican—who made contributions through love gifts and other ways to pay off the debt.
He also expressed gratitude to Equity Bank for leasing eight stories, with the Church of Uganda’s Family TV located on the thirteenth story. The Archbishop mentioned the potential development of locations such as the burial sites of Archbishop Janan Luwum and Bishop Hannington, and stated that the church encourages greater partnerships on religious tourism.
Mugalu also valued President Museveni’s promise to aid in the establishment of these tourism destinations with a religious focus. In order to pay off its debts, the Church started the “Yes, We Can!” fundraising campaign at All Saints’ Cathedral in Kampala in 2021.
Prior to this, the Church of Uganda was involved in crisis negotiations because of rumors that the multibillion-dollar Church House edifice on Kampala Road may be put up for auction due to an outstanding Shs 48 billion debt.
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Equity Bank was requesting Shs 40 billion in return for the Shs 41 billion it had loaned for the construction of the 16-story structure.