In the aftermath of the devastating Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) war, the community in Gulu, Uganda, was left to pick up the pieces. Many lives were lost, homes were destroyed, and vital infrastructure was left in ruins. The Catholic Church, which had provided shelter and refuge to countless individuals during the war, was not spared. Church buildings, including the Archbishop’s House, the Nuns’ Convent, and St. Joseph Hospital Kitgum, were severely damaged, leaving the community without access to essential services.

Monsignor Martin Agwe, Vicar General Gulu Archdiocese, reflects on the devastating impact “Our church buildings were more than just places of worship – they were safe havens for countless individuals fleeing violence and terror. However, in the aftermath of the conflict, we were left to rebuild without government support. Our communities, still reeling from the trauma of war, are struggling to meet their basic needs, making contributions to church rebuilding efforts a significant challenge.”

In response to these pressing needs, the Centenary Foundation has provided timely and critical assistance. As a non-profit subsidiary of Centenary Group, the foundation has prioritized church social missions that uplift communities affected by conflict. Through its generous funding, vital church structures have been rebuilt and renovated, including the newly constructed Archbishop’s House, the rebuilt Nuns’ Convent, and the renovated St. Joseph Hospital Kitgum.

The Archbishop of Gulu, His Grace John Baptist Odama, has also expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Centenary Foundation. “We are thankful for the generous support of Centenary Foundation,” he says. “Their contribution has enabled us to rebuild vital structures that will serve our community for generations to come.” However, the Archbishop also notes that there is still much work to be done. “We call upon Centenary Foundation and other partners to join us in addressing the many other welfare needs of our community so that together, we can build a brighter future for the people of Gulu.”

Sister Mary Grace Angelina Achiro, Mother General of the Little Sisters of Mary Immaculate, expresses heartfelt gratitude for Centenary Foundation’s support. “We’re deeply thankful for the Foundation’s timely assistance,” she says. “Their generous donation has been instrumental in helping us make significant progress on our convent, a vital space for our dedicated sisters to live and serve.”

Sister Achiro recalls being pleasantly surprised by the swift response from Professor John Ddumba-Ssentamu, Chairman of Centenary Foundation, when she approached him for support. “I was amazed by his prompt response,” she says. “Just two weeks after our initial meeting, we received UGX 40 million to support the construction of our convent. It was a remarkable display of generosity and commitment to our cause.”

However, she notes that their work is far from over. “We still have a long way to go to complete our convent,” she appeals. “We humbly call on well-wishers to join hands with us to make this vision a reality.”

With the collaborative efforts of the Centenary Foundation, Gulu Archdiocese is witnessing a revival of its spiritual and communal life. “We didn’t know how we would raise funds, but thanks to Centenary Foundation, we can now dream of a future where our church stands strong again,” Sr. Mary adds with optimism.

In these trying times, support from Centenary Foundation underscores the importance of rebuilding with purpose, ensuring that faith and community resilience emerge hand in hand. The Archdiocese of Gulu stands as a testament to perseverance and the transformative power of compassionate outreach.