When God created the Earth for mankind, he also made us stewards of his creation. The stewardship involves caretaking the environment. Unfortunately, even the most christened of us, have failed to live up to God’s expectation in this stewardship role. Mr Christopher Waigongolo, a Pastor and preacher of God’s word, understands this role too well, but like other community members in Mpologoma Central Village, Mazuba sub- county, Namutumba district, he opted to degrade the Mpologoma wetland in pursuit of a livelihood.
Upon government engagements under the Building Resilient Communities, Wetland Ecosystems and Catchments in Uganda Project, Waigongolo was among the several community members who then voluntarily left the wetland in return for alternative livelihoods. The man of God is a member of the Kikolataka group that received piglets. A twenty- five-member group received seven piglets (two people sharing a piglet). Waigongolo, being the chairman of the group received his share which he has multiplied.
“I had three pigs. I sold everything and got shs 600,000. I topped up shs 200.000 and bought a heifer. The cow has produced. I am now milking six liters per day,” Waigongolo, said. Each litre of milk derived from ‘Miracle’ (as referred to by Waigongolo) earns him shs1000, meaning his daily income is shs 6000 per day, translating to 180 000 per month. He also earns additional income from the sale of cow dung to community members who wish to improve the fertility of their gardens. The man of God now finds the alternative livelihood received as a better venture than engaging in degradation of the wetland, which he now agrees goes against God’s principle of stewardship.
Together with other project beneficiaries who received heifers, Waigongolo is planning to set up a dairy to increase their fortunes. “I wish I had only three heifers; my livelihood would be much better. I don’t regret exiting the wetland,” he said.