Our Story
From a vision of self-sustenance to Uganda's most impactful church-driven enterprise.
A Legacy of Enterprise
The idea of the Church of Uganda creating commercial enterprises for its financial self-sustenance was conceived as early as 1965 by the Anglican bishops. The vision was to build enterprises that would fund the Church's ecclesiastical, developmental, and charitable mission — not dependent on foreign donors, but self-sustaining through disciplined stewardship.
This vision gained momentum during the Church's centenary celebrations in 1977, when bishops formally proposed the construction of a major commercial building in Kampala's CBD. But the political turmoil of the time delayed progress for decades.
It was not until November 2005 that the dream became institutional reality — Church Commissioners Holding Company Limited (CCHCL) was formally registered as a company limited by guarantee, with 33 Diocesan Bishops as shareholders, to manage the Church's growing portfolio of commercial enterprises.
Founded in Faith
Born from the Anglican tradition — a Church that believes in being both spiritual and economically self-sustaining.
33 Bishop Shareholders
Each Diocesan Bishop holds shares, ensuring oversight and accountability across all 39 dioceses of the Church of Uganda.
Self-Sustaining Model
Revenue from five subsidiaries funds the Church's mission directly — no reliance on foreign donors for operational costs.
Our Journey Through Time
Uganda Bookshop Founded
The Church of Uganda establishes its first commercial enterprise — a printing press and bookshop on Colville Street, Kampala. It would become the oldest bookshop in Uganda and a recognized National Cultural Site.
Namirembe Guest House Opens
A guest house is opened atop historic Namirembe Hill to provide hospitality for visiting clergy, missionaries, and travelers to Kampala.
Vision for Commercial Enterprise
Anglican bishops first conceive the idea of the Church creating major commercial enterprises for financial self-sustenance, including a landmark building in Kampala.
Centenary Publishing House & Church Building Proposal
During the Church of Uganda centenary celebrations, Centenary Publishing House is established to publish prayer books and hymn books. Bishops also formally propose constructing a commercial building, later named after Archbishop Janani Luwum who was martyred the same year.
CCHCL Officially Registered
Church Commissioners Holding Company Limited is registered in November 2005 as a company limited by guarantee, with 33 Diocesan Bishops as shareholders. CCHCL becomes the umbrella managing all Church of Uganda commercial enterprises.
Church House Construction Begins
Groundbreaking for the Janani Luwum Church House at Plot 34 Kampala Road. The 16-storey commercial building is financed 30% by the Church and 70% by an Equity Bank Uganda mortgage.
Church House Commissioned
On August 24, 2018, the Janani Luwum Church House is officially commissioned by Prime Minister Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda. The building cost over UGX 50 billion (US$14M+). Equity Bank Uganda takes floors 1-4 as headquarters and anchor tenant.
New GCEO Appointed
Rev. Jasper Tumuhimbise is appointed as Group Chief Executive Officer in June 2022, bringing new vision for digital transformation and strategic growth across all subsidiaries.
Debt Milestone and Digital Land Governance
Church House financing milestones were completed and CCHCL intensified rollout of the LIMS digital land management initiative to strengthen asset documentation and protection across diocesan structures.
Rev. Jasper Tumuhimbise
Group Chief Executive Officer
Appointed June 2022
A Message of Vision
"The Church of Uganda's vision for economic self-sustenance was born decades ago. Today, CCHCL is turning that vision into reality — not just by managing enterprises, but by digitizing our land records, training our dioceses in asset management, and building a foundation that will sustain the Church for generations to come."
Under the GCEO's leadership, CCHCL has embarked on a digital transformation journey, launching the LIMS system, modernizing subsidiary operations, and establishing new revenue-generating projects including the proposed CCHCL Industrial Hub.
Meet the Full Team