Newly ordained priests were commissioned and sent to be true servants and ambassadors of Kabale Diocese in their new places of appointment. This call was made by Rt. Rev. Callist Rubaramira on Sunday, June 30, 2024 after ordaining six missionaries to priesthood at Rushoroza Cathedral. Newly ordained priests are all missionaries from three congregations (Apostles of Jesus, Montfort Missionaries and Congregation of the Holy Spirit or Spiritan Fathers).
The newly ordained priests are:
- Fr. Alex Muhwezi, SMM from Kishanje Parish in Rubanda district.
- Fr. Anaklet Asingwire, CSSp from Nyamirama Parish in Kanungu district.
- Fr. Christopher Niwagaba, AJ from Buhara Parish in Kabale District.
- Fr. Innocent Kanyesige, AJ from Rushoroza Cathedral Parish in Kabale District.
- Fr. Philemon Byomuhangi, CSSp from Rubanda Parish in Rubanda district.
- Fr. Robert Mugabe, AJ from Maziba Parish in Kabale District.
Bishop Callist called upon the newly ordained priests to remain in Christ, pray for their country and their Church. He also called upon the parents of the priests to continue praying for their priests who remain their sons though they have been elevated to Minister to God’s people in the Catholic Church. In his message after ordaining them, Bishop Callist urged new missionary priests to carry with them the identity of Kabale Diocese and he commissioned them for the new apostolate. He also issued to them certificates of ordination as a proof of their valid and lawful ordination in the Catholic Church.
Rev. Fr. Alex Muhwezi was appointed to Kabuyanda parish in Mbarara Archdiocese, Fr. Philemon Byomuhangi was sent to Minister in Mexico while Fr. Anaklet Asingwire was sent to serve in France. Other three priests of the congregation of the Apostles of Jesus (Fr. Innocent Kanyesige, Fr. Robert Mugabe and Fr. Christopher Niwagaba) will receive their appointments in August from their Superior General in Kenya.
Hon. Catherine Ndamira Atwakiire, the Kabale District Woman MP urged the newly ordained priests to be true ambassadors of Kabale Diocese and Uganda at large to their new places of appointment especially those sent to serve in Mexico and France by spreading the gospel of love, faith, unity thereby sharing their talents with people whom they have been sent to.
Hon. Henry Musasizi Ariganyira, the Minister of Finance and economic planning General Duties, who is also the MP Rubanda East constituency, implored the newly ordained Priests to preach the gospel of unity and hard work.
You’re going to be meeting people with different backgrounds, language, beliefs, cultural practices, tribes, among others. Keep them united and be our good ambassadors of Kabale Diocese – Hon Henry Musasizi.
Minister Musasizi also called upon the Church leaders to serve both the Spiritual and Physical needs of the people by teaching them about work, because hungry people will not listen to the word God.
The ordination attracted many other dignitaries including Hon Prossy Akampurira Begumisa Mbabazi, the Rubanda District Woman MP and Hon Kamuntu Moses Mwongyera, the MP for Rubanda West constituency who left shortly before closure, Hon Nicholas Thaddeus Kamara, MP Kabale Municipality, Godfrey Nyakahuma and Isaiah Kanyamahane who are RDCs of Kabale and Kamwenge districts respectively, Mr. Odo Tumukwasibwe, the head of Laity Kabale Diocese, Mr. Byamukama Remigio, the Kabale Diocesan Education Secretary among others.