Christians have been encouraged to be generous in giving and supporting Church activities in order to build the kingdom of God here on earth. This call was made by Rev. Fr. Maniragaba Deusdedit, Parish Priest of Kakore Rugambwa Parish in Rubanda deanery on Saturday, November 23, 2024 while preaching during Mass for the Bishop’s Annual Appeal Fund (BAAF) drive by Rubanda district held at Immaculate Heart of Mary, Rubanda Parish.
While quoting 2 Corinthians 9:6-12, Fr. Maniragaba said that St. Paul urged people to support the church in her ministry and that their generosity is appreciated by God, the author of all that is good. St. Paul’s reminds the Corinthians that those who sow sparingly reap sparingly while those who sow abundantly reap abundantly.
All we have has roots/origin in God. Giving is saving and the hand that gives gathers. Remember the good we do accompanies us. So let us work hard to inherit the Kingdom of God – Fr. Maniragaba Deusdedit.
He also reminded people to always purify their intentions behind their giving so that they can be at right terms with God, not just showing off. Blessed are they who die in the Lord, for the shall rest form their labors and their good works shall accompany them (Rev. 14:13).
Mr. Edward Muhigirwa, coordinator for BAAF Rubanda district thanked the Christians from Rubanda deanery for turning up for BAAF drive in large numbers. He also thanked them for their spirit of generosity which they exhibited while giving in their support towards BAAF. This was manifested in the contributions that were delivered by Parish priests of the 6 parishes that make up Rubanda Deanery (Muchahi, Kakore, Rubanda, Kabirizi, Muko and Kishanje). He contributed 5m towards BAAF as coordinator of BAAF Rubanda district. He said that the target for BAAF Rubanda district was 250m and of this 232m was raised in both cash and pledges and the collection from parishes was as follows: Kakore Parish with 44.3m, Muko parish with 38.4m, Rubanda Parish with 32.7m, Kabirizi parish with 20.7m, Kishanje Parish with 16.4m and Muchahi Parish with 14.9m. Kakore Parish was announced winner of BAAF Rubanda having scored 98.2%.
In his remarks as Guest of Honor, Hon. Henry Musasizi, Minister of State for Finance, Planning and Economic Development (in charge of General Duties) and MP for Rubanda East who was represented by Ampaire Stephen Kasyaba (Chairman L.C V Rubanda), thanked Bishop Callist Rubaramira for putting his efforts on poverty alleviation in Kabale Diocese through the call to Financial sustainability. Minister Musasizi appreciated Bishop Callist for his support of the government programs which intend to boost household income. He urged people to embrace these government programs like Parish Development Model (PDM) which intend to turn subsistence farmers into commercial farmers thereby boosting income. He also thanked people for their generosity in supporting BAAF projects and in special way, he thanked Rubanda district local government for their hard work, having been ranked 4th in the whole country in terms of health assessment. Hon. Minister Musasizi contributed 30 million shillings towards supporting the Bishop’s Annual Appeal Fund.
Other dignitaries present included hon. Moses Kamuntu (MP Rubanda West), Hon Prossy Akampurira (woman MP Rubanda), Ninsiima Evelyn Kikafunda, Mrs. Jacqueline Katabazi, Mr. Fred Kamunyu (proprietor of Akamwesi investments), Mr. Francis Serununu (DEO Rubanda), among others.
Ih his final remarks, Bishop Callist Rubaramira thanked all people for God who contributed in their respective capacities towards this year’s BAAF project which is the completion of a commercial building in Kabale Town located on plot 10, along the Kabale-Mbarara Road. Bishop Callist noted that people should be encouraged to start some project(s) for their families. As a call to financial sustainability, each Parish in Kabale Diocese was tasked to establish a project to help in boosting parish income. He said this call should extend to families that as the Diocese and parishes are developing, the families too should develop.
Bishop Callist called on families to have family meetings before the year ends in order to evaluate their development strategies and plan for the new year 2025.
If you have been warning something like 300,000 shillings each month but you have not planned how to increase it in the new year, then you are the one who is breeding poverty in the family. Don’t settle for less – Bishop Callist Rubaramira.
Bishop Callist advised each family to have a plan and plan together as a family, not one person in the family. He also requested parents to engage their children in some income generating activities for example giving them a portion of land to cultivate by themselves (omwehereko) so that as they grow up, they have the mentality of working hard to earn a living.