The Ordinary of Kasese, Rt. Rev. Francis Aquirinus Kibira has wondered why the cost of living in Kasese district, Uganda, is still high with this rich and fertile land, arguing agriculture officers must not only warm the chairs but do their role of advising farmers on good agronomy practices and rearing of domestic animals.

Kasese district in the Mountains of Rwenzori is one of the area in Uganda with the richest and fertile soil that support the growth of crops like coffee, cotton, maize, vanilla and banana plantation as well as rearing of domestic animal among others.

During his pastoral visit to Kitswamba Parish during the celebration of the Parish Ninth Anniversary on 14^th Dec 2022, at Kanyangwanje Playground the Journey that made Bishop Kibira the first Catholic Bishop to reach the last Church close to Rwenzori National Park that Boarders Fort-portal diocese.

In his speech, Bishop Kibira wondered why the cost of living in Kasese is still high with this rich and fertile land, arguing Agricultural officers not to only to worm chairs but do their role of advising farmers on good agronomic practices and rearing of domestic animals.

He asked the government of Uganda to monitor the performance agriculture officers at every sub county whom he blamed to the increased poor agricultural input and output in the district, after indentifying some areas with old coffee trees and poor managed banana plantation yet it is they role as technical people with advanced knowledge to guidance the general population on the best way of using the richness and fertility of the soil in the district

Bishop Kibira cautioned individuals against the Lhukonzo slogan of “ekithaka nikyethu” meaning the land belongs to us, but fails to use it productively for food production and improved livelihood.

He advised residents in Busongora County North to fight against teenage marriages and early pregnancies but invest in education for the future generation of their children.

Mr. Alfonse Katswamba, the chairperson Parish Pastoral council, asked the Bishop to lobby for a model primary school and a coffee hulling machine that will add value to both education and coffee production.

Priests who stay in seclusion and forget about encouraging believers to become hardworking and promote education are not fair, the Ordinary of Kasese, Rt. Rev. Francis Aquirinus Kibira has said.

Bishop Kibira has warned priests against laziness by focusing on healing the soul only. Rather, he wants to. See them promote the people’s integral development and fight against poverty.

He insists that every priest has a cardinal role to work with a development committee at parish and community level so as to create development avenues and projects that will see believers increase household income.

In his speech at St. Maria Gorret Kinyamaseke Catholic Church while concluding his three month pastoral visit in the parish where he confirmed Christians and opened a Eucharistic centre on 1^st Jan 2023 on the Solemnity of Virgin Mary Mother of the church, Bishop Kibira asked the priests and Religious to emulate Jesus Christ who was not only a preacher but also a prophet, teacher and healer, encouraging religious leaders to collaborate with Christians for social, physical and economic development.

Bishop Kibira asked parents to develop the talents of children by empowering them with education and vocational skills especially those who have dropped out of school, adding that the best way of solving unemployment challenge in the country is to empower the youth with skills and developing the natural abilities.

The Ordinary cautioned parents against luxurious expenditure and alcoholism. He advises them to become innovative, invest in education, and toapply modern farming technologies especially in banana plantations.

Bishop Kibira quoted some of the lyrics in Tip Tony song titled “party” warning the public against high consumption of alcohol, laziness and engaging in non-productive activities but save to fight poverty.

Earlier on, Winfred Ithungu one of the confirmands at Kitsutsu Catholic Church told the Bishop that currently men have started stealing their wives’ money, engaging promiscuous relationships and going home late.

Rev. Fr. John Baptist Kule, the Bukangara Parish Priest commended the Bishop for the support extended to Bukangara Parish especially finance meant to support woman under the catholic women association-CWA.

The Coordinator Holy Dove projects, Rev. Fr. Modesto Kasenyangwe, asked believers in Christ to utilize the Vocational training institutions to fight illiteracy.

During Mass, Mr. Johnson Saturday Musolho was baptized and welcomed back into the Catholic Church and Catchiest Moses Thembo and Catchiest Costa Baluku were confirmed as Eucharistic administrators.

Bishop of the Diocese of Kasese Rt. Rev. Francis Aquirinus Kibira Kambale has urged Members of Parliament from Kasese District to be accountable to the people who elected them by creating jobs through investing in the local communities where they come from.

In his speech at St. Paul Kitsutsu Roman Catholic Church on 31^st Dec 2022, Bishop Kibira said it’s a pity that many political leaders immediately after election think first of owning a house and projects in the Capital city and forget about investing locally in projects that will create jobs, also asking the local community to put them to task over the same.

The Prelate said the youth in district are blessed to have been born in the area that is blessed with resources but only fail to get someone to show them the direction.

Kibira who commended Hon. Godfrey Katusabe the MP for Bukonzo West and Hon Ferigo Kambale the Kasese Municipal Legislator for investing locally, asked the Kasese leaders to put in place plans of equally sharing from the national cake than unproductive criticism of government. 

Bishop Kibira has urged priests and religious leaders to make use of the existing church movements for young Catholics for sustainability of the church ministries.

He said the future of the church lies in the hands of the youth and children. He then encouraged the religious leaders to mobilize the youth to join the Junior Legionaries of Mary and other Church the movements.

He wondered why some individuals pretend to be true friends and followers of Jesus Christ yet they have no respect for his Mother asked Catholics to emulate the humility, patience, obedience and humbleness of Mother Mary above seeking for her intercession.

The Shepherd of God asked the local community around Mountain Rwenzori to make good use of nature by keeping domestic animals, birds and grow crops for domestic and commercial purposes so as to improve their living conditions. 

Earlier, Bishop Kibira hailed the administration of Bukangara parish lead by the Parish Priest Rev. Fr. John Baptist Kule for joining hands towards the construction of the Parish church, St. John Bukangara Primary school and other schools in the Parish among other developmental projects.

On his part, the Coordinator of Holy Dave Project Fr. Modesto Kasenyangwe said the best way of fighting poverty starts with food security, thus encouraging the locals to plant enough crops.

The youth in Uganda have been cautioned against being overtaken by the modern trends in the society but focus on goals that will turn them into responsible citizens.

In an interview with AMECEA Online Correspondent at conclusion of the first Parish youth conference in Uganda’s Kasese, Diocese, the Diocesan Youth chaplain Fr. Joseph Tumusiime said the conference for the youth has been convened in respect of the Uganda Episcopal Conference (UEC) call for every diocese to hold mini conferences for the youth in respect for the National youth gathering that was cancelled last year due to Ebola outbreak in the country.

Fr. Tumusiime’s concern was that the youth are embracing a culture that is misguiding their minds.

He noted that new irresponsible approaches to issues have occupied the minds of youths so much that they do not consider consulting about Church and cultural values aimed at guiding their education environment.

Fr. Tumusiime who is also the Mbarara Ecclesiastical Provincial Coordinating Chaplain asked the youths in Western Uganda to live faithful, fight against poverty and ignorance among the community, later said the biblical wise was led by a star to see Jesus but now the star leading Christians to Jesus is faith.

In his homily while presiding over Holy Mass at the closure of the Youth Conference at St. Joseph Marie Muzee Nyakahya Parish, on Sunday, January 8, the St. Michael Kabuyiri Shrine’s Rector Rev. Fr. Julius Bwambale Tsangamubiri asked parents to introduce their children to informal education that includes among others, discipline, domestic work, respect for others, descent dressing and Catechism among others that will help them grow responsibly.

During the conference, the Bukonzo County West Member of Parliament Hon Godfrey Atkins Katusabe urged the youth to fear the Lord and focus on their future career, stressing that the journey to success is nonstop, later arguing them to distance from witch craft but become prayerful to receive God’s blessings.

Hon. Florence Kabugho the Kasese District Woman MP asked the youth to set future goals which she said will be realized by listening to parents, teachers and church leaders’ guidance.

Earlier, the Parish Youth chaplain Rev. Fr. Godwin Kibaba Kasai had asked the youth to join church movements.

The Bishop Fort Portal Diocese Rt. Rev. Robert Muhirwa Akiiki has urged believers to respond to God’s call like the biblical Samuel, and to be open to be guided by others who can help them discern His voice amongst the attractive voices of the world.

In Holy Mass at Our Lady of Snow Virika Cathedral Fort-Portal Diocese on 6^th January 2023, six members of the congregation of the Daughter of St. Teresa of the Child Jesus made their professions perpetual profession while seventeen celebrated their jubilees.

The six nuns professed a life of chastity, obedience and poverty before their Mother General Rev. Sr. Seraphina Kaitesirwa and the Ordinary of Fort Portal Diocese Rt. Rev. Robert K. Muhirwa Akiiki.

In his homily while presiding over Holy Mass on the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, Bishop Muhirwa commended the Sisters for deciding to offer their life to God and serve His people, urging all believers to discern the voice of the Lord from the earthly noise.

Bishop Muhirwa said as the world is now saturated with attractive voices via social media and others platforms, the Church is asking them to strive to heed the voice of God.

The Prelate further asked the Religious to surrender themselves to the Lord who looks on them with great love as well as offering all their attachments including families, worth and life ahead of the vows.

Bishop Muhirwa who asked Christians to offer their plans of the new year to the Lord made a special appeal to fathers in families to resolve to fulfill their parental roles in collaboration with their wives so as to nature the children well. He asks parents to give up the trend of over-spending on alcoholic drinks and eating to the negligence of their families. 

The Mother General Rev. Sr. SeraphinaKaitesirwa who sympathized with the family of the Sister who fell sick a day to her final vows, welcomed the six and congratulated those jubilants, asking parents to allow their daughters to join Religious congregations so as to continue with the mission of Christ.

Rev. Sr. Maria Clara Ateenyi from St. Jude town Parish- Hoima Diocese who celebrated 70 years in Religious life under the theme “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior” asked the newly professed to remain focused and prayerful and to nurture their vocation.

Speaking on the occasion of their profession, Sr Juliet Kabugho and Sr Sylvia Muhindo said it was God who has made it happen and congratulated their parents for supporting them through the journey of their life. They also ask all the faithful to continue praying for them.

Among the Jubilants, Rev. Sr. Maria Clara Ateenyi who hails from Hoima Diocese celebrated her Platinum Jubilee; Sr. Maria Annunciata, Sr. Maria Vincensio, Sr. Resumpta Asabaheebwa, Sr. Restetuta Kabanyaka, Sr. Margaret M Mabiiho from Fort Portal Diocese and Sr. Praxeda Kindiki from Hoima celebrated Diamond Jubilee while Sr Appollonia Kyakubananura from Mbarara Archdiocese, Sr Catherine Mbabazi , Sr. Redempta Maria and Sr. Pelagia Isoke from Fort Portal, Sr. Florance Nyangoma, Sr. Flora Nyakato, Sr. Sr. Spociaza Tibananuka from Hoima diocese celebrated Golden jubilee.

Bishop Muhirwa who presided the Mass was assisted by Bishop Vincent Kirabo of Hoima Catholic Diocese and priests from Mbarara Ecclesiastical province, Rwanda and Burundu among others.