Archdiocese of Mbarara Development Association
Unity
Unity, camaraderie, goodwill and cooperation among members and all Catholics in the archdiocese.
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About AMDA
An umbrella association uniting all Catholics who hail from Mbarara Archdiocese and live in Kampala and surrounding areas such as Entebbe, Mukono, Wakiso and Jinja.
3,000+Members, and still growing
66Parishes, each with members in AMDA
Early 1990sWhen AMDA began, as MDDA
7Pillars that guide our work
Humble beginnings
AMDA started in the early 1990s as MDDA, the Mbarara Diocese Development Association, with just a few members who shared a vision.
They wanted to see a united Catholic group sharing a common home background. The objective was to unite members who hail from the same region, so they could worship together and keep in touch with their home parishes.
The seven AMDA pillars
AMDA stands on seven pillars as its core values. Members believe they are a necessity for the total transformation of a person.
Spiritual Development
Regular activities, led by the Monthly Mass, that grow members' faith.
Economic Empowerment
Economic empowerment and self-sustainability of members, the mother church and all Catholics in the archdiocese.
Education Development
Promoting quality education standards in the archdiocese and beyond.
Leadership Development
Nurturing effective leadership skills and good governance practices.
Health and Wellness
Promoting health and wellness, and access to specialist medical care.
Environmental Sustainability
Conservation efforts, sustainable practices and awareness campaigns.
Aims and objectives
The aims and objectives for which the Association was formed.
- ATo promote and foster unity, camaraderie, goodwill and cooperation among members and all Catholics in the Archdiocese of Mbarara and beyond.
- BTo promote spiritual growth among members and all Catholics in the archdiocese through regular activities tailor-made for the purpose.
- CTo foster economic empowerment and self-sustainability of members, the mother church and all Catholics in the archdiocese and beyond.
- DTo promote and nurture effective leadership skills and act as a launchpad for good governance practices in the archdiocese.
- ETo carry out research in areas of interest to the Catholic Church and influence policy change in socio-economic matters affecting members and all Catholics in the archdiocese.
- FTo carry out acts of charity in health, education, economic empowerment, environmental protection and other areas members may determine.
- GTo solicit assistance, financing and donations from members and other sources for key strategic projects of the archdiocese.
- HTo lobby and engage government and other stakeholders for grants and donations that advance the aims of the Association.
- ITo do all such other lawful things as are incidental or conducive to attaining these objects.
- JTo promote quality education standards in the archdiocese and beyond.
- KTo promote health and wellness among members and in the archdiocese, and access to specialist medical care.
- LTo promote environmental sustainability through conservation, sustainable practices and awareness campaigns.
- MTo foster the spirit of ecumenism among members and promote initiatives for its realization.
Organs of the Association
- Organ 1Board of Trustees
- Organ 2General Assembly
- Organ 3Executive Committee
- Organ 4Parish Coordinators
- Organ 5AMDA Families
- Organ 6Search Committee
- Organ 7Standing Committees and Councils
- Organ 8Ad hoc Committees
How AMDA has stayed together
Monthly Holy Mass
"A family that prays together, stays together." Members gather for Mass on the last Sunday of every month, except December. Mass is said in Runyakitara, our home language.
Parish coordinators
Each AMDA parish has a coordinator who mobilizes members from the home parish and carries communications and updates from AMDA to parishioners.
WhatsApp groups
The first AMDA WhatsApp group was formed on 1 March 2014, thanks to Mr. Emmanuel Mbarebaki. Today there are 6 AMDA Family Station groups and over 20 AMDA-related groups.
Our current major projects
AMDA focuses on three main projects, and also holds an annual Caravan to a parish in the archdiocese.
The Rubaga Construction Project
A multipurpose hall, offices and a priests' house on Archdiocese land. It will become a source of income for AMDA activities and the seven pillars.
Read the update
The AMDA SACCO
Started in May 2012 to build a spirit of saving and investment. Its capital base is now above UGX 1.93 billion.
About the SACCO
The AMDA Bereavement Fund
Helps members give themselves and their immediate relatives a befitting send-off.
How it worksA look into the future
AMDA is headed for a bright future, where members live satisfying and spiritually nourished lives, with God Almighty at centre stage.
Operationalizing the AMDA pillars, which look at the holistic welfare of a person, will be a grand milestone in achieving this. On 29 March 2026 AMDA launched its first Five-Year Strategic Plan to guide annual programmes across all councils.
First Five-Year Strategic Plan
Launched 29 March 2026, with thanks to the AMDA elders led by Chairman Emeritus Dr. Ampe Gaston and the Economic Empowerment Council.
Join us
Register as a member and be part of the AMDA family.
Be part of the AMDA family
Register as a member, then join your parish coordinator and the Monthly Mass.