According to the Nabagereka, rising cases of domestic violence, divorce, substance abuse, polygamy and the growing number of street children are signs that families are under increasing pressure and require more intentional intervention from the Church.
The Nabagereka of Buganda, Sylvia Nagginda, has challenged the Church of Uganda to stop treating pre-marital counselling as a mere formality, warning that rushed preparation for couples is contributing to unstable marriages and family breakdown.
Speaking at the official opening of the 28th Provincial Assembly of the Church of Uganda at Uganda Christian University in Mukono, the Nabagereka said many couples enter marriage without adequate guidance because pre-marital counselling is sometimes handled like a requirement for obtaining a marriage certificate rather than an opportunity to prepare them for lifelong commitment.
“It is believed that pre-marital counselling in the Church of Uganda is often treated as a formality, like a rubber stamp for a marriage certificate, because it may be too brief or rushed, and sometimes exceptions are made,” she said.
“Couples leave without enough knowledge or guidance for married life. As a result, some enter marriage not well informed, which weakens the foundation of their relationship. Counselling should be given proper time and seriousness to prepare couples and strengthen marriages.”
The Nabagereka made the remarks while delivering the keynote address as Guest of Honour during the Provincial Assembly, held from August 4 to 7 under the theme, “Anchored in Christ for Unity, Stability and Peace.”
She said the Church must strengthen advocacy against gender-based violence, establish safe spaces for survivors, organise regular seminars for married couples and deliberately invest in programmes that promote stable families.
According to the Nabagereka, rising cases of domestic violence, divorce, substance abuse, polygamy and the growing number of street children are signs that families are under increasing pressure and require more intentional intervention from the Church.
Beyond family issues, she urged the Church to pursue financial self-sustainability by reducing dependence on Sunday collections and foreign donors but start developing income-generating projects to support evangelism and ministry.
“We all know that donor fatigue is real. The world now prefers mutual partnerships over dependency,” she said.
She encouraged dioceses, archdeaconries, parishes and local congregations to embrace prudent stewardship and invest in sustainable ventures that would make the Church both spiritually vibrant and economically resilient.
The Nabagereka also commended the Church of Uganda for maintaining what she described as a firm biblical stand on sexuality and urged it to remain vigilant in appointing leaders whose convictions are rooted in Christian principles.
On education, she said Church-founded schools should focus not only on academic excellence but also on character formation, arguing that corruption and many social problems stem from inadequate moral upbringing.
She highlighted the impact of the Ekisakaate kya Nabagereka programme, which marks 20 years next year, saying it continues to instil integrity, discipline and the values of Obuntubulamu among young people.
The Nabagereka further applauded the Church’s 2025–2030 Strategic Planning Framework, urging dioceses to implement it fully instead of leaving it on paper.
She also supported the proposed establishment of a medical insurance scheme and a special fund to support vulnerable patients receiving treatment in Church-founded health facilities.
On environmental conservation, she called on the Church to lead efforts in tree planting, wetland protection, rainwater harvesting, climate-smart agriculture and the adoption of renewable energy.
“Caring for creation is a biblical mandate,” she said.
Earlier, the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu, said preparations for the Church’s 150th anniversary should inspire Christians to renew their commitment to evangelism and national transformation.
He credited the Kingdom of Buganda for laying the foundation for Christianity, formal education and modern healthcare after Kabaka Muteesa I invited missionaries through explorer Henry Morton Stanley in 1875.
The Archbishop said the Church of Uganda currently oversees about 5,200 Church-founded schools, including 630 secondary schools, 50 vocational institutions and several universities, achievements he attributed to the historic partnership between the Church and the Buganda Kingdom.
He also thanked Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II and the Nabagereka for supporting education, youth empowerment, healthcare and moral formation through the Nabagereka Foundation and the Ekisakaate kya Nabagereka initiative.
Uganda Christian University Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, Dr David Mugawe, said education institutions should strengthen their curricula to prepare learners for successful marriages and stable families.
“As UCU, we train many of the clergy who go on to serve communities. We are reviewing our curriculum to ensure that our graduates are equipped with the knowledge and practical skills needed to address challenges facing the institution of marriage and help build stable families,” he said.
Equity Bank Uganda Managing Director Gift Shoko said the bank is partnering with the Church to fight poverty, which he described as one of the major causes of gender-based violence and family breakdown.
“We have programmes that support parents with school fees financing and provide credit to start or expand businesses. When families have enough income to meet their basic needs, many of the challenges affecting homes can be reduced,” Shoko said.
