Christians have been called upon to live exemplary life in this advent season. This call was made by Rev. Fr. Tamale Aloysius Sentongo, parish priest of St. Joseph Nyamirama Parish in Kanungu during the Bishop’s Annual Appeal Fund (BAAF) function held on Sunday, December 1, 2024 at Makiro Parish.
Fr. Tamale Aloysius Sentongo while preaching during Mass explained that Christians had gathered to thank God for having enabled them start a new Liturgical Year on the First Sunday of Advent a period when Christians wait for the coming of Christ among us in flesh at incarnation on Christmas. It was also World AIDS Day, a day to remember all those affected and infected by HIV/AIDS.
As farmers in Kanungu, this year has not been easy for them as one of their economic activities was affected namely the tea project whose prices fell drastically, but they were encouraged not to lose hope in God. From Sunday’s first Reading (Jeremiah 33), Fr. Tamale said that Jeremiah wrote to the Jews who were in exile, having lost hope in order to instill and restore their hope. We too could have lost hope in one wa or another that God may restore our hope and faith in him.
Fr. Tamale also noted that the Gospel of Luke predicts of what preceds the coming of Christ and said that the presentation is characterized by many bad signs like alcoholism, theft, domestic violence, immorality among others. He said that there is need for renewal of heart especially in this advent season and a return to Christ especially to the sacraments that strengthen the Christians to withstand challenges and fight evil. He appealed to them to approach God in the sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation, receive the Eucharist frequently and always be truthful in what they do or say.
We need good and true leaders who bring services to people, who don’t embezzle funds meant for the benefits of people. On our own we can do nothing, but with God, everything positive is possible – Fr. Tamale Aloysius.
Fr. Tamale also used the opportunity to call upon parents to live exemplary life to their children in this advent season; called on children to behave well and respect their parents and urged political leaders to exercise equity and justice hence making the advent season a season of new safari (journey) in their lives. He also reminded Christian to learn how to work for themselves, and not waiting to be given donations and also pray that God blesses the work of their hands.
Ms. Jacqueline Kyatuheire, Chairperson BAAF Kanungu district and National Vice Treasurer of NRM thanked the Bishop Callist Rubaramira for initiating the idea of BAAF, an drive that has seen many projects established in the Diocese like Radio Maria, commercial buildings which house Centenary Bank in Kisoro, Kabale and Rukungiri, St Ignatius University Kabale among others. She contributed 3m towards the BAAF drive. On the other hand, Mr. Alex Baguma thanked parishioners in Makiro Deanery for the support of BAAF and invited all Christians to the BAAF climax on Saturday, January 11, 2025 at Rushoroza Cathedral Parish.
Dr. Chris Baryomunsi minister for ICT thanked Bishop Callist for the visit to Makiro deanery and the BAAF projects established in the Diocese. He also thanked him for so supporting government programs in terms of service delivery to people e.g healthcare through construction of health facilities, education through establishment of schools, poverty alleviation thought financial sustainability.
He thanked Kabale Diocese for giving an annual accountability of the funds collected through BAAF. He said this year’s BAAF is aimed at completing the commercial building in Kabale Town with will boost revenue for the Diocese. He contributed 31 million shillings and pledged to continue supporting the Diocese since the government and Church serve the same people of God.
Kanungu district has for some time been under quarantine due to anthrax outbreak and this hindered people’s economic progress. They were also affected by the falling in prices of tea. However, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi assured the tea farmers that the government is doing all it takes to support them and requested them to continue taking care of the tea plantations in Kigezi. He cautioned all those government leaders who extort money form people accessing PDM funds to stop least they face they law. PDM funds are free.
Kanungu district raised 252m in both cash and pledges for BAAF whose target had been 250m. Nyamwegabira parish was declared the winner of BAAF Kanungu having collected the highest amount in cash (more than 65m). This was concluding the districts of Kabale Diocese, having run the BAAF drive in Rukiga, Kisoro, Rukungiri, Kabale and Rubanda.
Bishop Callist Rubaramira, in his remarks thanked the Dr. Chris Baryomunsi for officiating as chief guest and for his availability always. He thanked all the people of God for their generosity in supporting their Diocese. He urged them to keep loving and supporting their church because it’s their mother. He thanked all the deaneries of Kabale Diocese for their support and invited them for the BAAF climax which shall be on January 11, 2025 after which construction work on the commercial building commences. As regard to a BAAF project in Kanungu, Bishop Callist requested the Christians to be patient as a declaration will be made in January after the evaluation of BAAF 2024.
He reminded parishes about the resolutions made in terms of financial sustainably. As the Diocese makes progress, the parishes too should develop and families too. He requested families to have family meetings before the year ends in order to plan for 2025 in terms of how they can achieve financial sustainability. He noted that since the Diocese is developing through BAAF, there is also need to have development at the parish, at the hiika and in the family.