Estates Department

Introduction:

The Estates Department is one of the departments that operates within the Diocese of Kinkiizi. By “Estates” we mean all Diocesan land and property which embodies both real property and personal property. Majorly, the Estates Department is solely responsible and is obliged to do the supervision of all the Diocesan activities which include or fall in the building/construction areas, the water sections, Electrical activities, and more so ensuring that all Diocesan lands are in safe custody and secured with the relevant land titles. Currently, Rev. Moses Kabareebe is the Estates Manager.

Sections in the Estates Department:

1. Building/construction section

The building/construction section embodies all the Diocesan buildings which range from churches, buildings, church minister’s buildings, school building, Health Unit facilities and any other independent buildings say for Commercial purposes. In all the foretasted categories of building, the department is solely responsible for giving the technical advice and supervising all the construction activities being undertaken accordingly. In addition, all the building plans and their contents have to be first determined, agreed upon and approved by the department before execution of the project commences. Also, the department ensures that all these structures are well built, maintained and routinely supervised for safety of all people.

2. Water Section

We are blessed that the Diocese of Kinkiizi is in partnership with the North Kigezi Diocese through the North Kigezi and Kinkiizi Dioceses Water and Sanitation Programme (NKKD WATSAN). Basically, all the water programs/projects are currently being handled by the NKKD WATSAN programme. These include; construction of Gravity Flow Scheme (GFS), spring construction programmes/Installation of Rain water Harvesting facilities, sanitation and hygiene campaigns, as well as the sustainability programmes. This programme is non-denominational, non-sectarian but considers all categories of people equal with one common goal of providing clean and safe water to all human beings.

A summary of all the activities undertaken by NKKD WATSAN are as follows;

1. Gravity Flow Schemes
These are basically community based and all the institutions within the catchment area are always direct beneficiaries. Among the schemes constructed include; Kifunjo GFS, Nyambizi GFS and Kiringa GFS
2. Spring construction
The programme undertakes both ordinary springs and Low Yield springs with reservoir tanks constructed. Among the springs constructed include; Kyeijanga Community Spring (Ordinary), Kirima Community spring (low yield), Katete low yield spring; Katete Kirimbe low yield spring, Kinkiizi High school low yield spring among others. All these springs are meant to serve both the community members as well as institutions like schools.
3. Rain water harvesting system/facilities
These facilities are basically constructed at the schools or churches where the population of beneficiaries is expected to be high with a high level of consumption. RWHS have been constructed in the following institutions; Burema S.S., Nykabungu GSS, Nyakatare P/S, Katebere P/S, Nyarugunda C.O.U, etc. RWHs comprises of construction masonry and ferro-cement rain water tanks (i.e 30,000-50000 litres capacity), installation of rain gutters, etc.
4. Sanitation and hygiene campaign
NKKD WATSAN’s criteria is that before the commencement of any programme/activities (listed above), a fully-fledged campaign regarding sanitation and hygiene is conducted in both the communities and institutions. With a well-qualified software team, the campaign are adequately handled which suit different categories of people. Normally follow-ups are made periodically to assess the impact of those sanitation campaigns.

How to apply for water - Normally, the system is always demand driven. Community members as well as schools/institutions write an application letter which is followed by a field visit by the Estates Manager. A detailed report is written to the Coordinator NKKD WATSAN who writes a proposal soliciting for funding. When the funds are received, implementation is effected there and then.

5. CCMP trainings
CCMP is an abbreviation for Church Community Mobilization Process. This is a programme which seeks to empower community members to realize and recognize their God given resources to enable them use them appropriately and effectively. It uses a biblical approach and application and believes that God has endowed us (human beings) with many resources of which if well utilized they can be of great importance to us as human beings. So far, CCMO envisioning training has been conducted in the Cathedral Chapter (deanery) and Kayonza Archdeaconry. Unique to this training is that participants have to go through different levels until when they can adequately understand biblical knowledge and its application.
6. Sustainability Mobilisation
Whenever a project is established, the programme does not end from there. A follow-up is made to the said programme to assess the performance, challenges and the possible future prospects. Embedded in the programme is the sustainability mobiliser whose major role is to ensure the proper continuity and sustainability of the programme. Note that his presence in programme ensures that there is no hindrance to the optimum utilization and enjoyment of the established project/programme. Usually, periodical visits are made accordingly, monthly, quarterly and annually.

3. Lands section

This is a section which handles all land issues in the Diocese. As one can vividly tell, all the operations of the Diocese rotate around the land. This means, the extent of the diocese is equivalent to the extent of the land it occupies. It is one of the major roles that the Estates Manager works hand in hand with the different stakeholders to ensure that all the Diocesan land is secured and well located after.

4. Electrical Section

It is one of the roles of the Estates Department to ensure that all the electrical activities are handled appropriately ranging from the Diocesan Offices, to the Diocesan staff houses, and all the facilities. All repairs for the electrical appliances are handled by the Estates department together with the relevant technical advice.

5. Administration section

Besides the Estates Department being more of the field based than office based, all we have to note is that all the different activities undertaken have to be documented. Therefore, the Administration arm of it handles that. This section ensures that the different field reports are typed, filed and as well as circulated to the different and relevant offices for implementation or advice. Since the department handles different activities/programmes, different diocesan directorate, the Diocesan departmental inventory doctorate, the diocesan churches/schools/institutional directorate, the Diocesan Assets Directorate among others.

Besides the above, the Estates Department is mandated to oversee the operation of;

1. The Diocesan store
2. All the support staff members at the offices, and other facilities
3. Vehicles & Motorcycles and all the parking yard.