The Bishop of Kabale Diocese Rt. Rev. Callist Rubaramira on Saturday, March 5, 2025 led a delegation from Kabale Diocese and made a pastoral visit to Ndorwa government prison in Kabale district. The visit was part of the Diocesan program to visit hospitals and prisons in the Jubilee Year 2025. Bishop Callist presided over the sacrifice of Mass in which he confirmed 16 inmates into the Catholic faith.
The confirmed inmates were Hosea Nahurira, Tadeo Muhumuza, Levi Agaba, Moses Tumusiime, Dismas Byomugabe, Derrick Tumwesigye, Elias Rutaremwa, Innocent Byaruhanga, Brian Arineitwe, Fabias Nayakiira, Anthony Mfitumukiza, Davis Nsabimana, Joseph Niwagaba, Elia Bikorwamuhangi, Justus Twesigye and Maria Dinavensi Aturinda.
While preaching during Mass, Bishop Callist Rubaramira urged the newly confirmed inmates to remain steadfast in their faith in which they had been confirmed into. He urged all inmates to cast their burdens onto Jesus who will help them navigate through the challenges. Quoting Philippians 4:13 (I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me), Bishop Rubaramira said “we are weak and frail, but if we surrender to Christ, we shall manage all.”
Bishop Rubaramira told inmates that the pastoral visit was a form of pilgrimage to the prisons and hospitals to show solidarity with the less privileged and emphasized that despite their current hardships, the sick and prisoners are not alone and can always find solace and hope in God’s love.
We are pilgrims here today. The next program is praying with Christians in their Deaneries as we have prayed with you. Why we chose hospitals and prisons is that we want to show them that they are not alone and they anybody at any time can be in prison or in hospital – Bishop Callist Rubaramira to the inmates at Ndorwa prisons.
After the sacrifice of Mass, Bishop Callist Rubaramira led the team to hand over items of charity to the the administration of Ndorwa government prison. The donation included food items and essential personal items like soap, sanitary pads among others. This is in line with the Diocesan program for the celebration of 2025 Jubilee Year which is celebrated in the universal Church after every 25 years. This Jubilee Year is celebrated under the theme “Pilgrims of Hope.” The Jubilee Year is a time for spiritual renewal and faith building among the faithful.
The Officer in Charge of Ndorwa Government Prison, Julius Kisembo expressed gratitude for the Bishop’s visit and donation made by the Diocese to the inmates. He also appreciated the Bishop who always shared Easter and Christmas gifts to the inmates so that they also celebrate the Feast days of the Lord. He congratulated the inmates who were confirmed into Catholic faith and advised them to remain firm in their faith and to become examples of strength and perseverance within the prison community after eleven in the society after they have served their sentence.
Before the visit to Ndorwa prisons, the Diocesan team paid a visit to Our Lady of Good Health Rushoroza Hospital and distributed food items to the patients in all the wards. While handing over the items to the hospital administration, Fr. Fidel Ndagijimana, Pastoral Coordinator for Kabale Diocese said, “we decided to touch people’s lives physically (giving them items of charity) and spiritually (giving them Christ in the sacrament of Eucharist) in order to Rene their hopes in the Lord in this Jubilee Year.”
We are here to celebrate with you the Jubilee Year. We are grateful to you the health workers and healthcare givers for the good work you do in giving hope to the patients and serving them – Fr. Fidel Ndagijimana to the healthcare givers at Rushoroza Hospital.
Fr. Fred Birungi, Dean Rushoroza Deanery thanked the hospital administration for the warm reception and for allowing the parishes in Kabale district (Maziba, Rushoroza, Buhara, Rwanyena and Christ the King) to carry works of Mercy to the patients of Rushoroza hospital. He also thanked the healthcare givers of the hospital for the dedicated services in taking care of the sick.
The Rushoroza Hospital Administrator, Sr. Annociata Atwine thanked Kabale Diocese for the consideration to visit Rushoroza hospital as one of the institutions where works of mercy were carried out and appreciated their donation to the patients. She welcomed the Pastoral Coordinator and Dean and team from the Diocese for their visit and appealed to the healthcare givers to continue their dedication in serving and taking care of the sick and giving them hope.