Kabale Catholic Diocese gets 43rd parish

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Kabale Catholic Diocese inaugurated St Barnabas Karujanga as its 43rd parish.

The parish carved out of Rwanyana Parish was declared by Kabale bishop Callist Rubaramira during a function attended by thousands of Christians, government officials and community leaders.

As part of the ceremony, Rubaramira appointed the Rev. Fr Boniface Barisigara as the pioneer parish priest, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the faithful of Karujanga and surrounding areas. The Bishop also blessed and opened a newly constructed priests’ house that will serve as the residence and pastoral hub for the clergy.

Selfless service

In his homily, Bishop Rubaramira urged the faithful to uphold the central message of the cross of Christ, which he said calls for selfless service, commitment to humanity, and true discipleship. He encouraged Christians to see the new parish as not only a place of spiritual nourishment but also as a centre for fostering unity, development, and social transformation.

Bishop Callist Rubaramira of Kabale Diocese receiving gifts from Christians during the inauguration of Karujanga parish on Sunday. (Photo by Job Namanya)

“The cross reminds us that following Christ is not about comfort but about sacrifice and faithfulness to God and His people. I urge you to support this parish wholeheartedly so that it becomes a beacon of both spiritual growth and community development,” he said.

He also emphasised that parishes are not just administrative units but living communities of believers entrusted with evangelisation, charity, and cultural values.

“Where there is a parish, there should be a stronger family of God that inspires hope in society,” he added.

Parishioners welcome their first priest

Taking over his new role, Barisigara expressed gratitude to the Bishop and the community for entrusting him with the leadership of the parish. He urged the Christians to work with him in building a parish that reflects the values of love, unity, and mutual support.

“Parish life is a collective journey. As your priest, I will walk with you, but I cannot do it alone. We must join hands to strengthen both our faith and our community welfare,” he said.

Government leaders hail the milestone

The event was graced by several leaders, with the Chief Guest being State Minister for Finance (General Duties), Henry Musasizi, represented by Kabale Woman Member of Parliament, Catherine Atwakiire Ndamira.

Kabale District Woman Member of Parliament, Catherine Ndamira, addressing the congregation during the inauguration of Karujanga parish on Sunday. (Photo by Job Namanya)

Ndamira commended the Catholic Church for its role in promoting both spiritual and socio-economic development in the country. She urged parishioners to seize the opportunity of the new parish to improve their livelihoods through cooperative efforts, education, and self-reliance.

“A parish should not only be a house of prayer but also a centre for improving the well-being of the community. I encourage you to use this development to advance your socio-economic welfare,” she said.

The day also witnessed Christians and well-wishers raising resources to support the establishment and smooth running of the new parish. Contributions included pledges in cash, livestock, and household items, all intended to ensure that the parish starts on a firm foundation.

Eliab Naturinda Mporera, the Ndorwa West NRM flag-bearer, applauded the generosity of the faithful, saying it demonstrated their commitment to making the parish self-sustaining.

Church commended

Kabale Resident District Commissioner, Maj. (rtd) Godfrey Katamba, also praised the Church for being at the forefront of development in Uganda. He noted that across the country, the Catholic Church has invested in education, health care, and social services that continue to uplift millions of lives.

“The Church remains a reliable partner of the government in development. From schools to hospitals and community projects, we see the hand of the church everywhere. This new parish is yet another opportunity to bring people closer not only to God but also to opportunities for progress,” Katamba said.

He, however, used the platform to caution teachers in the district who are planning to demonstrate over salary-related grievances at the start of the new academic term. Katamba warned that such actions could destabilise schools, yet the President had already received their concerns and promised a solution.

“I want to remind teachers that they presented their grievances to the Head of State, and he assured them of action. Let us give the government time to fulfil its promise instead of resorting to demonstrations,” he cautioned.

A dream come true

For the people of Karujanga, the creation of the parish is a dream come true. Many residents expressed joy that they would no longer have to travel long distances to access parish-level services such as baptisms, weddings, catechism, and administrative support.

“I am very happy that our area now has its own parish. It will bring services closer to us and save us from walking to Rwanyana for every activity,” said Taddeo Taremwa, one of the jubilant Christians.

Local leaders said the parish would also boost unity and collective responsibility among residents, as activities such as parish projects, youth groups, and women’s associations would now have a direct base in the area.

The growing diocese

Kabale Diocese, established in 1966, covers the districts of Kabale, Kisoro, Rubanda, Rukiga, Kanungu, and Rukungiri. With the addition of Karujanga Parish, the Diocese now boasts 43 parishes, each serving as a spiritual and administrative hub for thousands of Catholics.

Bishop Rubaramira noted that the steady growth in parishes reflects both the expansion of the Catholic community in the Kigezi region and the church’s commitment to bringing services closer to the faithful.

“As the church grows, so does its responsibility to nurture strong Christian families and support communities in overcoming poverty, ignorance, and disease,” he said.