KKCRA News letter

On a warm April day in 1992, in the royal family of Tooro, a child was born whose life would become part of the history books of Uganda and the world. His name was Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, a son of Omukama Patrick David Matthew Rwamuhokya Kaboyo Olimi III and Queen Mother Best Kemigisa. He was born on 16 April 1992, at a time when nobody could have imagined that this little prince would soon carry one of Africa’s ancient crowns on his tiny shoulders.  But history had already written a different chapter for him. On 26 August 1995, tragedy struck the royal household when his father, King Patrick David Matthew Kaboyo Olimi III, died. The heir to the throne was only three years old. And so, on 12 September 1995, the little Prince Oyo ascended the throne of Tooro Kingdom as Omukama Rukidi IV. At only three years of age, he became the world’s youngest reigning monarch, a distinction that placed the name of Tooro and Uganda on the international map. Think about that...

KKCRA JOINS NEWLY ORDAINED PRIESTS IN THANKSGIVING CELEBRATIONS ACROSS KIGEZI The Kigezi Kampala Catholics Residents Association (KKCRA) has joined the 13 newly ordained priests in celebrating Thanksgiving Masses held in their respective ancestral homes, villages and parishes across Kigezi. The priests were ordained on Saturday during the celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of Kabale Diocese. Following their ordination, they began their Thanksgiving celebrations yesterday, with Masses held in their home communities and continuing today. In each village and parish, KKCRA has been strongly represented, with members turning up to celebrate with the newly ordained priests, their families and the wider Catholic community. The Association has been at the core of organising and mobilising Catholics from Kigezi living in Kampala and other urban centres, strengthening the connection between the faithful in Kampala and their home parishes. Th...

KABALE DIOCESE MARKS 60 YEARS WITH HISTORIC ORDINATION OF 13 PRIESTS AND 10 DEACONS By Davis Owomugisha  KABALE, UGANDA — August 22, 2026 Kabale Diocese has celebrated six decades of faith, service and evangelisation with a historic triple celebration that brought together thousands of Christians, clergy, religious leaders, dignitaries and well-wishers at Our Lady of Good Shepherd Rushoroza Cathedral in Kabale Municipality. The landmark celebration combined the 60th anniversary of the establishment of Kabale Diocese, the annual Diocesan Thanksgiving Day, and the ordination of 13 priests and 10 deacons—a powerful testimony to the growth of the Church in the Diocese over the past six decades. The celebrations were presided over by the Apostolic Administrator of Kabale Diocese, Rt. Rev. Callist Rubaramira, who challenged the newly ordained clergy to embrace their vocation with courage, humility and  commitment to God's people. In a homily centr...

 'Put God First Before Time Runs Out' – Fr. Alexander Muhumuza Delivers Powerful Message at Sarah's Burial Mass. KABALE, Uganda – Mourners gathered at Christ the King Parish in Kabale were challenged to reflect on the purpose of life and the certainty of death as Rev. Fr. Alexander Muhumuza delivered a moving homily during the Funeral Mass of the late Sarah, remembered as a beautiful, hardworking and loving woman whose life touched many. Preaching from the Beatitudes, Fr. Muhumuza reminded the congregation that death is an unavoidable reality that often finds humanity unprepared. "Sometimes we forget that this life has an end. We should thank God while we are still alive and use the opportunity to live according to His will," he said. The priest urged Christians to embrace obedience to God rather than becoming consumed by the temporary attractions of the world. He warned that knowledge, wealth and success lose their value when they are used...

AMECEA PLENARY: AMECEA Chairman Makes Youth a Pastoral Priority. The Chairman of the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA), Rt. Rev. Charles Kasonde, has declared young people a pastoral priority for the Catholic Church in the region over the next four years. Bishop Kasonde made the declaration during the Opening Mass of the 21st AMECEA Plenary being held in Kenya, where he said the Church considers young people as a vital force in sustaining the Catholic faith and advancing evangelization for generations to come. “Your Bishops make young people our pastoral priority for the next four years for three reasons: We want to demonstrate that young people are worth the effort and to help them develop a sense of belonging to this Holy Mother Church,” said Bishop Kasonde. He said the Church’s previous engagements with young people, including major gatherings in Kampala, Uganda, and Ethiopia, had demonstrated the important role of the youth in keepin...

Kabale Diocese Prepares for a Historic Triple Celebration of Faith, Thanksgiving and New Beginnings By Davis Owomugisha KABALE, UGANDA — On Saturday, 22 August 2026, history will be written at Our Lady of Good Shepherd Rushoroza Cathedral as the Catholic Diocese of Kabale gathers for one of the most significant celebrations since its establishment in 1966. In an extraordinary convergence of faith and gratitude, the Diocese will simultaneously commemorate its Diamond Jubilee (60 years), celebrate the Annual Diocesan Thanksgiving Day, and witness the ordination of 13 priests and 10 deacons. The event is expected to attract thousands of pilgrims, clergy, religious, government leaders and guests from across Uganda and beyond. Sixty Years of Grace Founded on 17 April 1966, Kabale Diocese has grown into one of Uganda's vibrant local Churches, becoming a beacon of evangelization, education, healthcare, social development and priestly formation throughout the Kigezi region. For...

WAITING FOR THE FIFTH SHEPHERD Inside the Sacred Journey Before Kabale Diocese Welcomes Its New Bishop By Davis Owomugisha "A bishop is announced in a moment. A shepherd is received through prayer, tradition and the grace of God." The excitement has not faded. Weeks after the Vatican announced the appointment of Msgr. Bonaventure Bosco Gubazire, M.Afr. as the Bishop-elect of Kabale Diocese, conversations continue in parish compounds, family homes, seminaries and religious communities across Kigezi. One question keeps resurfacing: "When will our new Bishop finally come?" It is a simple question, but one that opens the door to a remarkable story—one that many Catholics have never been told. The announcement from Rome was historic. It marked the end of the search for a successor to Rt. Rev. Callist Rubaramira. Yet, contrary to what many people assume, the appointment did not immediately make Msgr. Gubazire the Bishop of Kabale. Today, he remains...

BREAKING NEWS: HABEMUS EPISCOPUM! Pope Leo X1V Appoints Fr. Dr. Bonaventure Bosco Gubazire, M.Afr., as the New Bishop of Kabale Diocese The Catholic Church in Uganda is today filled with joy and thanksgiving following the announcement from the Holy See that His Holiness Pope Leo IV has appointed Fr. Dr. Bonaventure Bosco Gubazire, M.Afr. as the new Bishop of Kabale Diocese. The announcement, made today, 15th July 2026, marks a historic moment in the life of the Diocese as the faithful welcome a new shepherd to continue the mission of proclaiming the Gospel and strengthening the people of God. Bishop-elect Bonaventure Bosco Gubazire is a priest of the Missionaries of Africa (White Fathers), a congregation renowned for its missionary zeal, commitment to evangelization, intercultural dialogue, and service across the African continent. Ordained to the priesthood on 10th August 2003, he has faithfully served the Church for more than two decades in pastoral ministry, priestly for...

Teacher Killed, Scores of Students Injured in Mukono Train-Bus Collision MUKONO, Uganda — A teacher lost his life while dozens of students sustained injuries on Friday morning after a passenger train collided with a school bus at the Namumira railway crossing in Mukono Municipality. The accident occurred at approximately 6:00 a.m. as a Friendship Company bus carrying more than 70 students and teachers from Mwebaza High School was travelling to Jinja for an academic study tour. The bus was struck by a passenger train travelling from Mukono to Kampala after attempting to cross the railway line, causing it to overturn. Emergency responders, police officers and residents rushed to the scene to rescue the victims. Critically injured students were taken to Mukono General Hospital and other nearby health facilities for treatment. Witnesses reported that boda bodas were used to transport some victims due to an insufficient number of ambulances. Uganda Railways spokesperson John Len...

A Life of Faith and Sacrifice: Mzee Deogratious Ndabiroha Laid to Rest at 97 Rukiga District. Tears, prayers and heartfelt tributes filled the air at Kakatunda Village in Bukinda, Rukiga District, as hundreds of mourners gathered to bid farewell to Mzee Deogratious Ndabiroha, whose remarkable life of faith, sacrifice and unwavering commitment to family was celebrated during his burial. Mzee Ndabiroha, who passed away at the age of 97, was remembered as a humble, hardworking and God-fearing man whose legacy will continue to inspire generations. Family members, religious leaders, local authorities and residents described him as a pillar of wisdom whose life demonstrated selflessness, resilience and devotion to both God and family. The funeral Mass was led by Rev. Fr. John Byamukama, the Parish Priest of Bukinda Parish in Kabale Diocese, assisted by Rev. Fr. Benedict Mubangizi. In a moving homily, Fr. Byamukama challenged Christians to strive to live li...

https://youtu.be/gOMhp5dLV70?si=WP6rqHEZNpb4wUKe "A real father is not known by words, but by wise decisions and responsible actions." As the world marked Father's Day, members of the Kigezi Kampala Catholics Residents Association (KKCRA) gathered at Sonde-Namugongo for their monthly Holy Mass animated by Makiro Deanery. Drawing inspiration from the day's readings  especially Jesus' call to "Fear no one" (Matthew 10:26-33), Rev. Fr. Vincent Kamara, Curate of Nyamirama Parish in Kanungu District, challenged fathers and men to rediscover their God-given mission. In a thought-provoking homily, Fr. Kamara urged men to become responsible fathers who lead their families with wisdom, courage and faith. "Fatherhood is not simply about producing children. It is about making wise choices, taking responsibility and becoming a source of hope and guidance for the family," he emphasized. Reflecting on the struggles of the Prophet Jeremiah and Christ's as...

Elder Joseph Rutagonya Laid to Rest as Priest Calls on Christians to Focus on Their God-Given Mission KABALE, June 14, 2026  Family members, relatives, friends and Christians have this afternoon gathered at St. Francis of Assisi Parish Kyanamira in Kabale District  to bid farewell to Joseph Rutagonya, a respected elder who passed away on Friday at the age of 86. The Requiem Mass is being led by Rev. Fr. Balthazar Ndyomugabe, assisted by the parish Priest of Kyanamira Rev Fr.Somda and other priests from Kabale diocese,  The homily was delivered by Rev Fr. Austin Christmas, the Rector of Rushoroza Cathedral Parish, who described the late Rutagonya as a man who fulfilled his mission on earth and dedicated his life to serving both God and humanity. Drawing from the Sunday readings, Fr. Austin reminded mourners that every person is uniquely created by God and entrusted with a special responsibility in life. “God created each one of us differ...