UGANDA: Humble Yourself, Work with Your People, Bishop Kibira Ask Leaders
Bishop Kibira with Chief Tito Mukonzo Muhanuka the one who offered Nyakahya Parish Land to the church
Peter Masereka
Desisting from supremacy and discrimination among locals was the key highlight of the Local Ordinary of Uganda’s Kasese Diocese during his pastoral visits urging leaders to humble themselves and seek community opinions for social-economic transformation.
In his homily while presiding over Holy Mass at St. Matia Mulhumba- Ndongo Catholic Church on Sunday, October 30, where he confirmed over 1,300 confirmands in his two-day pastoral visit in the Parish, opening a Eucharistic centre and authorizing three Eucharistic masters, Bishop Francis Aquirinus Kibira Kambale wondered why political leaders change shortly after being elevated to big offices by people’s vote, later advised them to calm down and seek community opinions for development.
Bishop Kibira cautioned leaders against politicizing every development in community, saying God created people in his image with an aim of living together as one, irrespective of race, tribe and political affiliation.
At Kasanga Parish headquarters where Bishop Kibira also confirmed Christians into the Catholic faith, blessed the station of the way of the cross and Opening of the new administration block among others, he said that God always shows mercy and forgiveness to his people without looking at their sinful life for as long as they go away from sin.
Bishop Kibira urged Christians against pride and selfish interests that please their heart instead of living a life full of humility, forgivingness and love for one another.
He asked the confirmands to be soldiers of the good news of Jesus Christ and live exemplary by getting involved in church activities, including joining various church movements.
Bishop Kibira said despite the many demands and financial challenges in the parish and the diocese as large, putting up a beautiful residential house for the priests in future should be at the fingertips of the parish planning body.
The Ordinary who asked local leaders and politicians to work closely with the local population against child marriages, asked Christians to learn from Christ`s call of Zakayo by desisting from pride.
In his company on education, Bishop Kibira asked local and church leaders to make follow-up and support the education of academically excelling young learners from less privileged families.
The diocesan Treasurer, Rev. Fr. Joseph Kule Syathetha who accompanied the Bishop encouraged local churches and individuals to open up bank accounts with centenary banks as a way of utilizing the newly constructed multibillion bank complex for Kasese branch.
After collecting over nine million Uganda Shillings for the construction of the new Cathedral, Fr. Syathetha later announced that Kasanga Parish is currently three million shillings less than their 40 million shares.
The legislator for Bukonzo West, Hon. Aitkens Godfrey Katusabe said he has written to the Ministry of Education for the elevation of Bwera Primary Teachers Colleges to offer Education degree courses instead of closing the facility completely after government phased Grade three teachers’ colleges.
Hon. Godfrey Atkins Katusabe pledged to continue pushing central government about the need to open the Uganda-DR Congo cross border market whose closure had frustrated lives.
Lt. Col Erisa Kaherwa the commander 5th mountain Rusese Barracks while at Kasanga catholic parish attributed the increased criminality to lack of education and religion, calling for joint efforts against insecurity by promoting patriotism, education of the children, instilling social and spiritual morals among the youth.
The Centenary Bank Manager for Bwera Branch, Mrs Carol Mugisa asked parents and guardians to support the education of girl child for a better future.
