AMOLATAR, UGANDA — The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, the Most Rev. Dr. Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu, on Monday evening concluded his farewell visit to the Diocese of Lango with a landmark stop at Olyaka in Amolatar District, the geographical centre of Uganda, where he pledged the Church’s support toward developing the site into a major international tourism destination.
The visit, which drew thousands of residents to St. Paul’s Church of Uganda, Olyaka, also featured high-level engagements with Amolatar District leadership and officials from the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, who revealed that the government has already initiated plans to develop the site, with funding expected in the 2027/2028 Financial Year.
Archbishop Kaziimba, accompanied by the Bishop of the Diocese of Lango, Rt. Rev. Prof. Alfred Olwa, and Bishop Emeritus Rt. Rev. John Charles Odurkami — who was Bishop of Lango when the site was established — confirmed that the land on which the geographical centre sits is titled and registered under the Registered Trustees of the Church of Uganda.
“The land is secure and properly registered under the Church of Uganda,” the Archbishop said, pledging the Church’s full support toward developing the site to international standards as a major tourism destination.
In his address to the congregation, the Archbishop urged Christians to offer themselves to Jesus Christ, describing it as the only way to heaven. He also called upon the faithful to surrender their lives to Jesus and bestowed success upon the people of Amolatar District.
Morish Ogwal Omara, the Lc5 Chairperson for Amolatar District, expressed gratitude for the Archbishop’s visit, describing it as a blessing to the district. He welcomed the team from the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities and pledged the district’s full support.
Ogwal also called upon the people of Amolatar District and other stakeholders to embrace and support the ministry’s vision of developing the centre of Uganda as a tourism site.
Dr. Basil Ajer, Director of Tourism at the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, and Dr. Jackie Nyiracyiza Besigye, the Commissioner in charge of Museums and Monuments, revealed that the government has already initiated plans to develop the site, with funding expected to be provided for in the 2027/2028 Financial Year.
The development, once implemented, is expected to transform Olyaka into a significant tourism hub, boosting local revenue and putting Amolatar District on Uganda’s tourism map.
The Archbishop’s visit marked the conclusion of his farewell tour to the Diocese of Lango, capping a series of engagements across the region.
