The role of religious institutions in promoting social development in Uganda: a comparative Study of the Roman Catholic and Anglican churches in Kabale Municipality

Abstract

The study focused on the role played by religious institutions in promoting social development. It aimed at undertaking a situational analysis of social development of Kabale Municipality, establishing ethical motivations toward promoting social development, finding out contributions made by religious institutions in promoting social development, finding out challenges met by religious institutions in promoting social development and designing an ethically guided frame work for development. The assumption for the study was that the role played by the Church of Uganda in promoting social development in Kabale Municipality was more authentic than the role played by the Catholic Church. The research was a comparative study. Interviews, questionnaires and written documents were used in data collection. Data were analyzed using tables, percentages and graphs.

The findings showed that there were 39 primary schools and 11 secondary schools in the municipality. Post secondary education institutions were also found in the municipality. There were health facilities in the municipality. All the establishments were not only founded by the churches but also by the government and private individuals. The study found out that religious institutions, touched by the misery exhibited by the poor and needy, respond by giving directed aid and provision of social services. It presented ethical principles that should guide development. These included; the common good, preferential option for the poor, beneficence, stewardship, distributive justice and sanctity of life. .

The study concluded that churches were actively involved in promoting education and health. However, they have made fewer attempts to promote a clean and healthy natural environment. It recommended that churches should endeavor to put in place conditions which are favorable to people with special needs in schools and institutions and be flexible in their approaches toward the fight of HIV/AIDS. The Catholic Church should provide chaplains in schools which lack them. Religious institutions must double their efforts towards promoting a clean and healthy environment. They should encourage local contributions and involve local people in planning for and in the running of development projects.