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Jjongoza Community »
I am learning that it is very important to
organize our people at Jjongoza, so that they can identify their needs as a
community and so jointly seek solutions. I have always had a desire to help the
people of Jjongoza come together. I am only too happy that my dream is gradually
coming true through Rotary: an organization that embraces everybody regardless
of religious or cultural background.
Most families at Jjongoza are of the Baganda tribe, and they are Catholics. When
I was a child (in 1960s and 70s) I knew of only one Muslim family and about ten
Protestant families. We had a few Rwandese and Burundians, who came to the area
to work on the coffee farms. They have all been integrated into the life of the
village. Down the decades, there are many Muslim families, and more Protestant
families. It is unfortunate that many people have died. I get shocked when I get
to places which used to be habited only to find that the houses were demolished
and they are gardens for coffee and banana plantains, some are bushes. It is sad
to see what the HIV/AIDS epidemic has done also in a small village such as
Jjongoza.
My book ‘Pastoral Care in Ugandan School: a Sociological Perspective’ explains
the impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Rakai district. I noted when I was doing
my research that in Rakai, it is Kalisizo sub-county which suffered the greatest
loss of lives through AIDS. I cannot explain the cause for that occurrence.
There is now much strength in the community. People have come together, and they
have managed to make a number of clubs and associations to address some of their
needs.
When I was talking with the President of the Provisional Jjongoza Rotary
Community Corp Mrs. Lusiba Namatovu, she told me of the challenges she has to
organize the people. Many people are still attached to their traditional ways of
solving problems. They are not yet used to meetings where they acquire
information and formation. Although I am physically far away from my home
village (about 200 kilometers away) I feel that I have a big role to play.
My dream for the village is to see it more organized with a school, a
multi-purpose hall, organized families with facilities for sanitation (toilets)
and good provision for water. I want to see a shopping centre and a recreation
centre. In 2005, I received a report from an health inspector, which was very
positive. That Jjongoza was classified as the cleanest village in Kyango Parish,
almost every family had a pit latrine, and people took sanitation seriously.
When the community organizes its functions it displays its spirit of
hospitality. The people bring out all they have to share with each other and
with their guests. I am proud to say that Jjongoza is progressing as a
community. We have many more young people going for tertiary education in
professional programs that were rare in the past.
We are a hospitable village. When you plan a trip into Uganda make sure you
include Jjongoza village in your itinerary in Uganda.
For further information contact:
mail to: Fr. Dr. Aloysius Lwanga
Bukenya
Or
mail to: Rev. Fr. Ambrose John
Bwangatto
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