UGANDA: Parliament of Uganda Pays Tribute to Venerable Fr Dr Giuseppe Ambrozoli

Fr Isaac Ojok

The House of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda, on Wednesday 16th November 2022, paid tribute to the late Fr. Dr. Giuseppe Ambrozoli set for solemn beatification on 20th November 2022.

The motion for the tribute was moved by the Rt. Hon. Robina Nabanja the Prime minister of Uganda and Leader of Government business and was seconded by the Leader of Opposition in Parliament Hon. Matthias Mpuuga and other honorable members present in the August house.

In the motion, the Parliament appreciated Venerable Ambrosoli who lived a life of distinction and immeasurably served the people of Uganda, especially those in Northern Uganda, through serving as a priest and medical doctor in the Archdiocese of Gulu where he paid special attention to the suffering of the people as guided by his motto “God is love and I am his servant to the suffering people”.

The Parliament further recognized Fr. Ambrozoli as the one who initiated facility for the care of leprosarians through admitting them to the same hospital as other patients instead of confining them to the often-neglected facilities.

The House noted and commended Fr. Ambrozoli for establishing St. Mary’s Midwifery Training School in Kalongo, Agago District, to provide trained medical practitioners in order to enhance the care of patients in Uganda and beyond.

The facility for lepers that the late Fr. Ambrozoli established at Kalongo in Agago District which he transformed into a hospital, has been recently renamed as Dr. Ambrosoli Memorial Hospital. It is a 350-bed facility that treats nearly 60,000 patients every year.

According to the Parliamentarians, the Venerable Giuseppe Ambrozoli exalted unique compassion and kindness in caring for the sick, exhibited charity, selflessness, humility, wisdom and love for God and also championed the growth of the Catholic Church in Uganda.

During the deliberations, the members of Parliament eulogized late Fr Dr Joseph Ambrozoli for the selfless service rendered to the poor people especially in the sector of Socio-Economic transformation in Kalongo and the region at large.

Meanwhile, Woman member of Parliament (MP) for Kitgum district Hon. Lilian Aber described Fr Ambrozoli as the servant of God who loved children and Women.

Hon Samuel Okwir Odwe Member of Parliament (MP) for Moroto county Alebtong district testified that Fr Ambrozoli saved the lives of young babies at the hospital during deliveries including himself who was born at the facility.

He called on the government to improve the road network system in the area to enable the people access services currently being rendered.

Also, a motion was moved that Kalongo Hospital, a facility founded by Fr. Ambrozoli be elevated to a university teaching hospital in memory of the outstanding legacy set by the late Ambrozoli.

Fr. Ambrozoli has further been passionately spoken as one who will be remembered for his professionalism, kindness, infinite patience, extraordinary availability and his spiritual transparency that attracted crowds of patients to him.

His attributes made him a true and exemplary servant of God and it will continue to be a guiding light to other people.

The late Fr. Ambrozoli who was an Italian Comboni Missionary will be beatified on the 20th November 2022 at Kalongo Catholic Mission in Uganda’s Gulu Archdiocese.

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