KABALE DIOCESE ORDAINS 3 PRIESTS AND 4 DEACONS.

The Ordinary of Kabale Diocese Rt. Rev. Callist Rubaramira on Saturday, August 10, 2024 ordained three Priests and four Deacons in the Solemn Mass held at Our Lady of Good Shepherd Rushoroza Cathedral. Preaching during Mass, the Bishop’s Secretary, Rev. Fr. Placid Mugumya outlined the roles and duties of deacons and priests and urged the candidates to execute their duties with due diligence.

The three newly ordained Priests all come from Mutolere Deanery that is Rev. Fr. Bruno Niyonzima from Kinanira Parish, Rev. Fr. Deusdedit Uwiringiyimana from Sooko Parish and Rev. Fr. Walter Harem’Imana from Mutolere Parish. The newly ordained Deacons are Deacon Frank Atuzarirwe from Kitanga Parish, Deacon Mark Aheisibwe from Nyarushanje Parish, Deacon Onesmus Ahabwe from Muchahi Parish and Deacon Stephen Niwandinda from Ndama Parish.

During the ordination ceremony, Bishop Callist Rubaramira urged the newly ordained Priests and Deacons not be conformed to the world and be strong in their ministry since they have an assurance from God as he promised to be with Joshua in the book of Joshua 1:5 (I will be with you as I was with Moses and I will never desert you). Bishop Callist also pointed out that Jesus has called them the way he called the Apostles to learn to be with him, learn from him sends then he sends them to teach others what they have learnt from him.

The ordination ceremony attracted a number of dignitaries including Hon. Henry Musasizi (State Minister for Finance Planning and Economic Development, General Duties and MP Rubanda East),  Hon. Sarah Nyirabashitsi Mateke (State Minister for Defense and Veteran Affairs and Woman MP Kisoro District), Hon. Wilfred Niwagaba (MP Ndorwa East), Hon Catherine Atwakiire Ndamira (Woman MP Kabale District), Hon. Dr. Nicholas Kamara (MP Kabale Municipality), Hon. Moses Kamuntu (MP Rubanda West), Hon. Prossy Akampurira (Woman MP Rubanda District), Mr. Nelson Nshangabashaija (Chairperson L.C. 5 Kabale district), Mr. Ampeire Stephen Kasyaba (Chairman L.C 5 Rubanda district), His Worship Sentaro Byamugisha Emmanuel (Mayor Kabale Municipality), Mr. Tumukwasiibwe Nicodemus Odo (chairperson Laity, Kabale Diocese) and Hon. Mary Paula Turyahikayo ( vice chairperson Laity, Kabale Diocese) among others from all districts that make up Kabale Catholic Diocese.

Who were the ordained priests?

1.REV. FR. WALTER HAREM’IMANA (MUTOLERE PARISH)

He was born on 24^th April, 1996 to Mr. Harera Gervase and Mrs. Berina Nyiraneza Harera in Rambura Hiika, Mutolere Parish. He is the first born in the family of seven children (5 boys and 2 girls).

Education and Formation
2001-2007: St. George Model and Primary School – Mutolere
2008: Rwingwe Primary School
2009-2014: St. Paul’s Seminary, Rushoroza, Kabale
2015-2018: Katigondo National Major Seminary – Masaka
2018-2019: Pastoral Spiritual Year at St. Adrian’s Minor Seminary – Rubanda
2019-2024: St. Mary’s National Major Seminary – Ggaba
12/08/2023: Ordination to Deaconate at Rushoroza Cathedral Parish by Rt. Rev. Callist Rubaramira, Bishop of Kabale Diocese.
10/08/2024: Ordination to Ministerial Priesthood at Rushoroza Cathedral Parish by Rt. Rev. Callist Rubaramira, Bishop of Kabale Diocese.

As a young child, Fr. Walter was motivated by the dress code of Fr. George Schindler (RIP) and Fr. Bazimenyera John. he said he also used to look at the photos of his parents’ wedding which was presided over by Bishop Barnabas Halem’Imana (RIP) and got motivated to become a Priest. After Senior Six, he could pray from the chaplaincy of Mutolere Hospital and the Homilies of Fr. Kamari John Vianney really inspired him a lot.

Fr. Walter’s Message: When the Lord has called you to serve Him, in whichever situation or life you are in, just say, “YES” and abandon everything else to Him. He will do it for you. Just as Pope St. John Paul II wrote in his work, Novo Millennio Ineunte, “Christ yesterday, Christ today and Christ forever”, He will always do wonders in your life. May the Lord bless all those who have supported me in my journey to priesthood. Kindly continue praying for me that I may be a good, holy and humble priest after the example of Jesus Christ.

2. REV. FR. BRUNO NIYONZIMA (ST. JOSEPH KINANIRA PARISH)

Fr. Bruno Niyonzima was born on 30^th October, 1993 to Mr. Nsab’Imana Innocent and Mrs. Martina Kabageni in Rulangala Hiika (by then), Kinanira parish. He is the third born in the family of nine children (2 boys and 7 girls). His two parents provided a Christian family background that nurtured his vocation to ministerial priesthood by teaching him the Christian faith and enhancing his education journey

Education and Formation
2002-2004: Bushekwe Primary School
2004-2008: Kinanira Primary School
2009-2014: St. Paul’s Seminary, Rushoroza, Kabale
2015-2018: Uganda Martyrs National Major Seminary Alokolum, Gulu
2018-2019: Pastoral Spiritual Year at St. Paul’s Seminary, Kabale
2019-2024: St. Paul’s National Major Seminary, Kinyamasika, Fort Portal
12/08/2023: Ordination to Deaconate at Rushoroza Cathedral Church
10/08/2024: Ordination to Ministerial Priesthood at Rushoroza Cathedral Parish by Rt. Rev. Callist Rubaramira, Bishop of Kabale Diocese.

Fr. Bruno says he was motivated in his tender age by the inner inspirations that oriented him towards priests and made him wish to be like them. This led him to join the Altar Servers Association that further nurtured his desire for priesthood. Secondly, the name NIYONZIMA (literally translated as He (God) is the Living One) that his parents gave him, motivated him to serve the Living God- Imana Nzima (Mt. 16:16); solemnly affirming that “God is the Living One” (Imana NIYONZIMA).

Fr. Bruno’s Message: Dear brothers and sisters, there is nothing more saving like being thankful to the Lord, our God. Sharing in the eternal priesthood of Christ overwhelms me with a deep meditation on King David’s Prayer “Who am I, Lord God, and who are the members of my house, that you have brought me to this point.?”(2 Sam 7:18). Throughout my life, I will offer Him a thanksgiving sacrifice and “call upon His name” (Ps.116:13). May the Lord bless all those who have supported me in my journey to priesthood. Kindly continue praying for me that I may be a good, holy and humble priest after the example of Jesus Christ.

3. REV. FR. DEUSDEDIT UWIRINGIYIMANA (SOOKO PARISH)

Fr. Deusdedit was born on 12^th January 1995 to Mr. Thomas Kanyamihigo and Mrs. Nyirabizimana Flora in Nyarusiza Hiika, Sooko Parish, Kisoro District, Mutorere Deanery. He is the fourth born in the family of seven children.

Education and Formation
2002-2006: Nyakabaya Primary School
2006-2008- Sooko Primary School
2009-2012- St Adrian’s Seminary Rubanda
2012-2014- St Paul’s Seminary Rushoroza
2015-2018– Katigondo National Major Seminary
2018-2019- Pastoral Spiritual Year at Gatete Parish
2019-2024- St Mary’s National Major Seminary Ggaba
12/08/2023– Ordination to Diaconate at Rushoroza Cathedral Church
10/08/2024- Ordination to Ministerial Priesthood at Rushoroza Cathedral Parish by Rt. Rev. Callist Rubaramira, Bishop of Kabale Diocese.

Fr. Deusdedit says he was motivated by the exemplary life of priests and seminarians by then who had passion for pastoral work especially home to home visitations. They did pastoral work with zeal and enthusiasm which awakened in him the love for prayer and an esteem for the priesthood.

Fr. Deusdedit’s Message: Am grateful to the Almighty God for this yet another abundant harvest into the Lord’s vineyard. Our dear Bishop, Priests, Parents, Guardians, Benefactors and Christians thanks for your support. “To be a priest is to become Jesus Christ himself. It means extending his saving presence among mankind.” I humbly request all the people of God to pray for us the newly ordained and all the priests to love what is priestly.