In order to get to know the work of Kolping Uganda better, representatives of the Ministry travelled around the country last February and were accompanied by the General Secretary Dr. Markus Demele during their visits to Kolping facilities.
“Besides meeting with Kolping Families, exchanging ideas with Kolping sisters Grace Mugasa and Noeline Kisembo were special highlights. Both of them have been dedicated members of Kolping Uganda for decades and are now contributing their experience to Ugandan politics – Noeline as a member of parliament and Grace even as a minister in the current cabinet”, says Markus Demele happily. Both women told the BMZ employees how much their political work today has been influenced by experiencing democracy and a commitment to the common good in the association, which will soon have 15,000 members. Step by step, Kolping is helping shape society and politics in a variety of ways.
KOLPING INTERNATIONAL has been a partner of the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) over many decades. The common goal is to strengthen those voices in the partner countries that are committed to sustainable and inclusive development. The main aim is to involve those in growth processes who have only a low income and are often not sufficiently given attention by politicians. In many countries, Kolping Families and their national organisations play a key role in initiating change processes through civil society and the Church. Of course, this applies specifically to improving the living conditions of local people with projects such as microfinance, vocational training or increasing the productivity of smallholder farmers – but also on a larger scale, when Kolping campaigns for better social legislation or when Kolping sisters and Kolping brothers take on political responsibility.
