General Secretary of the ELCT Karagwe Diocese

“Thus far has the Lord helped us” in the year 2010



ELCT Karagwe diocese is subdivided into the seven church districts of Lukajange, Bweranyange, Ihembe, Mabira, Murongo, Kyerwa and Kituntu. Ngara Mission Area is the eighth operation zone. On the other hand, the diocese is operating through nine departments which are called Finances, Planning & Development, Mission & Evangelism, Women & Youth, Health, Diaconia, Building and Internal Audit. In addition to this, the diocese is running two secondary schools, two primary schools, two vocational training centres, one hospital, three dispensaries, one bible school and one hotel with a conference centre.

Head Office in Lukajange
The General Secretary is in charge of day to day administrative activities of the Diocese. He is the Diocesan Chief Executive Officer, Accounting officer, coordinator, monitor and team leader. The GS is the Chairperson of the diocesan management committee composed of five Deputy General Secretaries.

During the year 2008, a five years diocesan strategic plan was adopted and the implementation started immediately. As far as the year 2010 is concerned, we reached the following situation:
  • Under the first strategic goal proclamation and teaching the word of God was in full swing. New members, new congregations and new areas were scored all over the Karagwe region. Together with this there have been open air preaching, Sunday schools and confirmation classes and besides women and youth activities. During the year 2010 the diocese celebrated 100 years jubilee of Evangelism in our area with a theme: “Thus far has the Lord helped us” (1 Sam 7: 12).

  • The social services strategic goal implementation went with preventive, curative and rehabilitative health care, primary and secondary education, HIV/AIDS control with VCT services and water sources improvement. A plan to establish Karagwe University Collage (KARUCO) is a longterm giant investment in the community and national social services.

  • The economic status improvement goal included environmental protection and renewable energy activities in schools, congregations and households. It also consists of agriculture and animal husbandry, microfinance and community development programs. During the year 2010 Karagwe Ihanda Airstrip, run by the diocese, started to provide commercial passenger services. Because of the direct flight connection between Mwanza and Karagwe, it is a new socio-economic development stimulus in the area.

  • The gender equity goal was implemented through the girl child empowerment project; widow and women revolving fund parish activities. More women were appointed to senior church positions. Four female students are attending theological studies and Bweranyange Girls’ Secondary School. All in all it is a long term strategy towards this important goal.

  • The KAD institutional development goal activities included acquisition of working equipment and infrastructure, staff training, placement and development. The construction of head office complex at Lukajange, which was started in 1982, was finally finished in 2010. Four senior staff members attended Management courses at CORAT in Kenya and the Doctor in Charge of Nyakahanga DDH attended a similar course in Germany.
During the year 2010 we had a number of challenges. Among others, we had to cope with an increasing marginalized number of church members. The local income falling short of the budget has been a challenge of 2010: We had a shortage of qualified staff to run some units and the long dry season affected animals and crops, thus affecting the church and community welfare. We are very grateful to our church members, traditional partners which are CoS, Danmission, UEM family as well as ELCA, LMC and numerous bilateral partners for continued support of our work. Thus far has the Lord helped us.

For more details visit respective districts, departments, units and programs.


Text: Erasto M Kamihanda