Bishop Lawrence Mukasa Calls for Integrated Development at BLI Nandere Campus

Alinaitwe Victor

Bishop Lawrence Mukasa, the Ordinary of Kasana Luweero Diocese, has emphasized the importance of integrated development. He urged development partners and board members of Bethany Land Institute to take into account the integrated growth of institutions at Nandere Campus when planning for the future BLI Nandere University Town.

These remarks were made following the presentation of the BLI site mapping/planning report overview by a group of 12 engineers from EMI (Engineering Ministries International), led by Scott Sammons. The EMI team camped at Bethany Land Institute Nandere Campus from October 14th to October 19th, 2023, to create a plan that aligns with BLI’s vision and hope for the future, ensuring proper utilization of the land as they continue to grow. The exercise commenced with a lecture by international soil scientist Ray Archuleta.

Bishop Lawrence Mukasa expressed his vision, stating, “My vision is to see BLI initiate, coordinate, and lead the planning for the square mile occupied by the institutions, including St. Kizito seminary, St. John’s S.S, Nandere boys p/s, Nandere Girls P/s, Sisters Convent, Health Center, Parish & Presbytery. Working together with the leadership of these institutions and the Parish Leadership, we aim to develop a well-coordinated site plan/map for Nandere Campus that benefits all stakeholders. This plan will evolve into the future Nandere University Town/city.”

Fr. Emmanuel Katongole, founder and President of BLI, pledged to take the lead and collaborate with the leadership of other institutions and the Parish Leadership to achieve the Bishop’s vision.

The Parish priest of Nandere Parish, Fr. Matthias Jjooga, expressed his appreciation for the Bishop’s broad vision, recognizing that this approach will extend BLI’s rich ideology of regenerative agriculture, social and economic empowerment to the community of Nandere Parish, which is the custodian of the land occupied by the institute.

Bethany Land Institute, established in 2019 and launched in 2022, serves as a place for the restoration of God’s creation/environment through regenerative agriculture, social and economic empowerment of the community. The institute draws inspiration from Pope Francis’ encyclical “Laudato si,” which highlights the importance of caring for our planet.