UGANDA: DR Congo’s Butembo–Beni Diocese and Kasese to Co-Animate 2026 Uganda Martyrs Feast
Bishop Sikuli with clergy from the Diocese of Kasese, Uganda
By Masereka Peter
Rev. Fr. Godfrey Sunday, Kasese Diocesan Pastoral Coordinator, led a delegation of priests and some laity to Butembo-Beni Diocese in the Democratic Republic of Congo ahead of Uganda Martyrs celebration 2026.
The mission of the visit was to invite the Diocese of Butembo-Beni to join the Diocese of Kasese in Uganda’s preparations for the Uganda Martyrs celebrations in June.
The team that arrived safely on Thursday, 21st August 2025, was sent by the Local Ordinary of the Catholic Diocese of Kasese, Bishop Francis Aquirinus Kibira Kambale, inviting the Bishop of Butembo-Beni Rt. Rev. Melchisedec Sikuli Paluku and the Christians to join the preparations for Uganda Martyrs celebrations, which will be animated by the Diocese of Kasese.
In an interview with Kasese Guide Radio shortly after arriving in Congo, Rev. Fr. Sunday noted that their visit had already registered a success since Bishop Paluku had agreed to work closely with his counterpart, Bishop Kibira, about the issue.
When Bishop Paluku celebrated his silver jubilee of episcopate, a delegation from the catholic Diocese of Kasese, Uganda, was present, indicating existing ties between the two dioceses.
Fr. Sunday concretized this when he disclosed that the friendship of two dioceses is as old as the creation of Kasese Diocese, since most of the first priests who carried their priesthood missions in the Diocese of Kasese came from Congo, and Bishop Kibira deemed it necessary to foster these greater and shared spiritual experiences.
In his welcoming remarks, Bishop Paluku hailed the Ugandan Prelate and pledged to passionately support and participate in the Uganda Martyrs celebrations.
Fr. Sunday was accompanied by Rev. Fr. Julius Tsangamubiri, the Rector at Kabuyiri Shrine in Mpondwe Lhubiriha Town Council. The same team will also join perpetual vows and Jubilee celebrations of the Sister from the congregation of the Little Sisters of the Presentation of Mary in the temple.
