BAAF KISORO DISTRICT RAISES 430M

Christians have been urged to work hard and be creative, not just waiting for white collar jobs. This call was made by Rev. Fr. Safari Emmanuel, the Parish Priest of Gatete Parish in Kisoro district on Saturday, October 14, 2023. In his homily during Mass led by Rt. Rev. Callist Rubaramira, Bishop of Kabale Diocese, Fr. Safari said that Christians should not sit and wish, looking for jobs but should be creative enough to start something for themselves.

The celebration was crowned by fundraising drive by Mutolere Deanery which aimed at raising 430 million shillings meant to help in the establishment of St. Ignatius University Kabale. The whole drive for Bishop’s Annual Appeal Fund (BAAF) 2023 is aimed at raising 3 billion shillings. St. Ignatius University has been granted a provisional license and is ready to start with 5 accredited courses namely: Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Tourism, Heritage & Leisure Management, Diploma in Agriculture, Diploma in Tourism & Hotel Management and Diploma in Science Laboratory Technology (Not Medical).

Fr. Safari also used the opportunity to encourage Christians to always build self-confidence and stop under-looking themselves as people who cannot undertake some tasks. He appreciated Bishop Callist for his vision and idea of starting up a university which will improve on the education standards in Kigezi region and beyond. On this note, Fr. Safari called on all people of God to continue supporting Kabale Diocesan projects especially in education sector.

Speaking as Chief Guest, H.E Augustine Caesar Mulenga, the Consular General of Vietnam to Uganda thanked Bishop Callist Rubaramira for thinking big and making education a priority. He said the world is moving at a supersonic speed and so the courses offered at the university should be able to match the world standards and technology. H. E. Mulenga used the opportunity to thank President Yoweri Museveni for starting up Universal Primary Education in 1997 and this has helped the country to reduce on illiteracy level. He also encouraged parents to work hard and educate their children because education is the key to success.

H.E Mulenga also used the same chance to implore all religious denominations to put aside hatred and love one another, a vehicle which will help them work towards development. He contributed 50 million shillings cash, and together with his family and friends pledged 245 million shillings to clear the target of 430 million shillings for BAAF Kisoro district.

In attendance was Rtd. Gen. Kale Kaihura who thanked Kabale Diocese for the role played in the transformation of the country. He also thanked the people of God especially Mr. Denis Bakomeza who prayed for him especially in the tough times to get over them. He also thanked the Christians for welcoming him in the civilian state, having retired from the active military service and appealed to them to stop hatred because it is now time to work together for the development of Kigezi region and the country in general. He contributed 25 million shillings towards BAAF.

In his remarks, Rt. Rev. Callist Rubaramira thanked all the parishioners of Mutolere deanery for working hard and raising the funds towards establishment of St. Ignatius University. He thanked H.E Caesar Mulenga for his generosity and untiring support towards the Diocese. On a special note, he thanked him for donating the iron sheets that have roofed the whole storied building of St. Ignatius University. He also thanked Rtd. Gen. Kale Kairuhra for the help he accorded him in 2012 that involved chartering a chopper to airlift him to Kampala when he was faced health complications on his way from episcopal ordination of the Bishop of Ruhengeri Diocese in Rwanda.

Other dignitaries present included Hon. Alex Seruganda, Hon. James Nsaba Buturo, Mr. Denis Bakomeza, Hon. Rose Kabageni, former woman MP Kisoro District and Presidential Advisor on Agricultural issues, Senior Counsel Alex Rezida, Dr. Peter Ngategize Chairman BAAF 2023, Associate Professor, Maximiano Ngabirano, Vice Chancellor of St. Ignatius University Kabale, Mr. Tumukwasiibwe Nicodemus Odo, the Chairperson Laity Council form Kabale Diocese among others.