Welcome to the website
of Rev. Fr. Mujule, a Missionary Priest of Hoima Catholic Diocese, Uganda, East AFRICA.
A Missionary from Africa?
God told Abram
"Leave your father's land and house
and relatives and go to a land I will show you" - Genesis 12.
Jesus told the Apostles
" As the FATHER SENT ME so do I send you:
RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT" - John 20:21-22
Jesus said to Paul
"Leave this place, and go!
I will send you to my peoples far away there." - Acts 22:11
From East Africa to USA!
And so it was that on the Feast Day of St Rose of Lima, on August 23rd, 2006 Fr Mujule came to Belleville Diocese, State of Illinois, USA. Fr Mujule was later on sent to St Rose of Lima Parish in Metropolis City, at the south tip of the diocese. This blogpot or website is a response to St. Rose of Lima parishioners' request to learn about UGANDA — to learn the History of Uganda, and to know Hoima Catholic Diocese, and to learn about Father Mujule's Pastoral-Rural Outreach among his people of Hoima Diocese whom he served before coming to the USA, a people being helped by the program of NETwork Against Malaria, a people now gladly called the Uganda Sister Parish.
AFRICA IS THE LAND OF HOPE
- said Pope Benedict XVI when he made an Apostolic Pastoral Visit to Africa in Benin. West Africa, Nov 18-20th, 2011 where he commissioned the AFRICAE MUNUS - CHURCH in AFRICA to be the SALT and the LIGHT in Africa. God has blessed Africa with more Africans evangelising their fellow Africans and also others sent out as missionaries to Europe and USA where there is a severe shortage of priests. Its an AMAZING GRACE in this work of evangelisation. NB- Baby Jesus took refuge in Egypt (Africa) together with his Blessed Mother Mary and Joseph: Africa is a Land of Hope for the whole world
Please use the links on the left side of the page to navigate to individual posts, or use the "Categories" section on the left side of the page to view all posts on a particular topic.
PASTORAL-RURAL OUTREACH
Strengthening Small Rural Communities - Hoima Diocese, UGANDA.
Father Mujule Comes to the USA
Fr. Michael Chris Mujule travelled on August 22, 2006 all the way from Hoima Catholic Diocese, from the people of Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdo in Western UGANDA, East Africa, to come as a Missionary International Priest to minister in the Belleville Catholic Diocese in the southern part of the State of Illinois in USA. On August 23, 2006, the feast day of St. Rose of Lima, Fr. Mujule arrived in Belleville and stayed at the residence of Belleville Diocesan Bishop Edward K. Braxton for a period of acclimatization to the Belleville Diocese, American culture, and the Catholic Church in America. Then on November 10, 2006, Fr. Mujule was given the appointment letter to go and minister to the Christians of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in the city of Metropolis, State of Illinois. He arrived at the parish on Tuesday, November 14, and was officially and joyfully welcomed by the parishioners on Sunday, November 19, 2006.
Fr Mujule had earlier on come to the USA for his Master's Degree in Education at the University of Portland, Oregon's Catholic University, USA, 1983-84 sent for studies by Bishop Albert Edward Baharagate of Hoima Diocese. Fr Mujule's University of Portland's scholarship was given him by the Holy Cross Fathers. The Holy Cross Fathers, Brothers and Sisters worked in the Dioceses of Hoima and Fort Portal, in western Uganda, East Africa
Fr Mujule had earlier on come to the USA for his Master's Degree in Education at the University of Portland, Oregon's Catholic University, USA, 1983-84 sent for studies by Bishop Albert Edward Baharagate of Hoima Diocese. Fr Mujule's University of Portland's scholarship was given him by the Holy Cross Fathers. The Holy Cross Fathers, Brothers and Sisters worked in the Dioceses of Hoima and Fort Portal, in western Uganda, East Africa
Official Diocesan Appointment of Fr. Mujule
"His Excellency, the Most Reverend Edward K. Braxton, is pleased to announce the appointment of the Reverend Christopher Michael Mujule, on loan from the Most Reverend Deo Gratias Byabazaire, Bishop of Hoima, Uganda, as Administrator of St. Rose of Lima Parish in Metropolis, Illinois. This appointment is effective Monday, November 13, 2006."
Fr Mujule is grateful to Bishop Edward K Braxton for accepting, on Bishop Deo Byabazaire's recommendation, to invite Fr Mujule to come as Missionary International Priest in Belleville Diocese. Bishop Braxton has invited many other International Missionary Priests now working in Belleville Diocese. The International Priests are grateful to Bishop Edward K Braxton for his warm welcome to these priests working in his Diocese. They are also very grateful to the Priests of Belleville Diocese for the warm welcome and good working relationships existing between the American priests of Belleville Diocese and the International priests working as missionaries in this Diocese.
Fr Mujule is grateful to Bishop Edward K Braxton for accepting, on Bishop Deo Byabazaire's recommendation, to invite Fr Mujule to come as Missionary International Priest in Belleville Diocese. Bishop Braxton has invited many other International Missionary Priests now working in Belleville Diocese. The International Priests are grateful to Bishop Edward K Braxton for his warm welcome to these priests working in his Diocese. They are also very grateful to the Priests of Belleville Diocese for the warm welcome and good working relationships existing between the American priests of Belleville Diocese and the International priests working as missionaries in this Diocese.
Fr Mujule, a Priest since 1978
Fr Mujule and Fr Joseph Kizito-Wangi were ordained priests of Hoima Catholic Diocese, by Bishop Albert Edward Baharagate in the afternoon of Saturday May 13, 1978, the Vigil of PENTECOST SUNDAY: COMING OF HOLY SPIRIT. NB:May 13 is also the Feast day of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Fatima. His parents are Daniel Ndahura Kasigwa (R.I.P.-'97) and Maria Kabonesa Kasigwa(R.I.P.-'01). Fr Mujule was ordained at the Church of our Lady of Lourdes, Bujumbura Cathedral Parish.
Fr Mujule and Rural Schools
In his years as a priest, Fr. Mujule's involvement in school and youth apostolate deep in the villages enabled him to see the need for Ugandan Primary schools formal education. Fr. Mujule has served as Rector and teacher St John Bosco high school seminary - Hoima Diocese, Religious Education teacher at St Andrea Kahwa High school (Hoima),and at St Simon Peter Vocational Training Center(Hoima), Headteacher of St. Adolf Catholic High School (Muhorro), founding of two schools at Muhorro parish i.e. St Margaret Mary Catholic Girls High school (Muhorro), and St Maria Catholic Elementary or Primary School - Muhorro; and mobilizing the local community in rural areas to support formal school education — especially for the girl-child going for high school secondary education. Fr. Mujule's teaching experience in Hoima Town (1979-1990) greatly sharpened his love for helping the youth to get school education His October 1991 transfer from Hoima Town (in Hoima District) to Muhorro Catholic Parish (in Kibaale District) gave him a big challenge in rural areas - epecially the support for education of the girl child
WHY THE INTEREST IN THE EDUCATION OF THE GIRL CHILD!
Fr Mujule says that over the years in his priestly ministry he has witnessed a very high rate ofschool drop-outs especially for teenage girls. About 40% of girls who join class one (grade 1 =P1) in primary schools, do not reach grade five (P5), and 20% of these do not sit for the Primary Leaving Exams (P.L.E) at the end of grade seven or P7. In rural areas the same thing is happening with high school girls: many join the first year of high school but by the third year almost 40% have left school and by the time the are in the 4th year about 30% will complete the secondary education! And so as Hoima Diocesan Synod was ending May 6th,1990 Bishop Edward Baharagate passed a synodal decree that all parents, especially catholic parents put all children in schools especially the girl-child as stipulated by the United Nations Girls Education Initiative =UNGEI. In Oct 1991 when Fr. Mujule was transferred to Muhorro rural parish, he began to concentrate on education in Muhorro parish. St Margaret Mary Girls Hostel began in 1996 and later on in 2002 became St Margaret Mary Catholic Girls Secondary School, In Feb 02 Fr. Mujule began the girls high school in Muhoro Parish. In April 2004 with the help of Government Minister Hon. Benigna Mukiibi, St Margaret Mary Girls high school became a government aided secondary school, and in 2007 the school was elevated to the Uganda government program of Free Universal Secondary Education (USE). In mobilising the parents and local community support girls education, Fr.Mujule was greatly inspired by the visionary approach of Mr. Mwalimu Musheshe of URDT, a local NGO that encourages education of the girl child. KKCR Testmonials show that Fr.Mujule used URDT's local FM radio station, KKCR 91.7 FM for this mobilisation and thus challenged parents not to neglect girl-child education and to stop the cultural practice of the teenage marriages and thus ensuring that the parents realize that Early pregnancies choke girl child education
WHY THE INTEREST IN THE EDUCATION OF THE GIRL CHILD!
Fr Mujule says that over the years in his priestly ministry he has witnessed a very high rate ofschool drop-outs especially for teenage girls. About 40% of girls who join class one (grade 1 =P1) in primary schools, do not reach grade five (P5), and 20% of these do not sit for the Primary Leaving Exams (P.L.E) at the end of grade seven or P7. In rural areas the same thing is happening with high school girls: many join the first year of high school but by the third year almost 40% have left school and by the time the are in the 4th year about 30% will complete the secondary education! And so as Hoima Diocesan Synod was ending May 6th,1990 Bishop Edward Baharagate passed a synodal decree that all parents, especially catholic parents put all children in schools especially the girl-child as stipulated by the United Nations Girls Education Initiative =UNGEI. In Oct 1991 when Fr. Mujule was transferred to Muhorro rural parish, he began to concentrate on education in Muhorro parish. St Margaret Mary Girls Hostel began in 1996 and later on in 2002 became St Margaret Mary Catholic Girls Secondary School, In Feb 02 Fr. Mujule began the girls high school in Muhoro Parish. In April 2004 with the help of Government Minister Hon. Benigna Mukiibi, St Margaret Mary Girls high school became a government aided secondary school, and in 2007 the school was elevated to the Uganda government program of Free Universal Secondary Education (USE). In mobilising the parents and local community support girls education, Fr.Mujule was greatly inspired by the visionary approach of Mr. Mwalimu Musheshe of URDT, a local NGO that encourages education of the girl child. KKCR Testmonials show that Fr.Mujule used URDT's local FM radio station, KKCR 91.7 FM for this mobilisation and thus challenged parents not to neglect girl-child education and to stop the cultural practice of the teenage marriages and thus ensuring that the parents realize that Early pregnancies choke girl child education
Ugandan Education System
The UGANDA'S 7-4-2-3 year EDUCATION SYSTEM —
Uganda's education system corresponds to 7 years of primary education, 4 years of ordinary-level secondary education, 2 years of advanced-level secondary education, and 3 years at tertiary or university level. The academic year for grade schools and secondary schools is divided into 3 terms Term I = Feb-April, Term II = June-Aug, Term III = mid Sept-Nov. Its almost 15 years since the Uganda government made the proposed. The paper is an attempt to overhaul Uganda's education system. The World Bank has approved a $150m (shs300b)loan to suport post-primary education in Uganda. This is indeed a big boost to Uganda's planned vision of Universal Secondary education that began in 2007. Uganda is proud to say that several
Uganda's education system corresponds to 7 years of primary education, 4 years of ordinary-level secondary education, 2 years of advanced-level secondary education, and 3 years at tertiary or university level. The academic year for grade schools and secondary schools is divided into 3 terms Term I = Feb-April, Term II = June-Aug, Term III = mid Sept-Nov. Its almost 15 years since the Uganda government made the proposed. The paper is an attempt to overhaul Uganda's education system. The World Bank has approved a $150m (shs300b)loan to suport post-primary education in Uganda. This is indeed a big boost to Uganda's planned vision of Universal Secondary education that began in 2007. Uganda is proud to say that several
St James Secondary School - Bujumbura
St James Secondary School began Feb 06, 2012 with about 70 students of first year of secondary education. The School was began by Rev. Msgr. Matthias Nyakatuura, Parish Priest of Bujumbura Cathedral Parish. Thus the school has Bujumbura Cathedral Parish, Hoima Catholic Diocese as its foundation body. The purpose of starting this school was to offer good education to both boys and girls who have finished 7 years of primary education but cannot go to other secondary schools because there is no room for them in those schools; and yet they have passed well the National Primary Leaving Exams (P.L.E) as set by the Uganda National Exams Board (U.N.E.B). The school is in its infancy stage but has a big catchment area and has the potential of a much higher enrollment from graduates of several primary schools in Hoima area. The school needs assistance for setting up Classrooms, Teachers houses, Library block, Science laboratory block and Multipurpose Hall, and dormitories for boys and girls. Bujumbura Parish and the local community have done a lot in already setting up the four classrom block that is currently at ring beam level and is in need of extra funds for roofing that first classroom block.
St Bernadetta Primary School - Bujumbura
St Bernadetta Primary School is Catholic Church Founded and is one of the oldest schools in Hoima Diocese. Recently it celebrated its 100th anniversary since the school began. It has about 1400 students doing seven years of elementary or primary school education as reuied by the Uganda Education system. Its also a Government Aided school and thus serves the lovcal population as a UPE or Universal Primary Education school.The studenst who sit for Pimary Leaving Exams perfom, best in the whole of Hoima District. Special thanks to Sr Justine mwesigwa the Headteacher for the great effort she has put in educating the children. In July 2011, Rev Fr. Mujule managed to get 1000 BEDnets as donation from an NGO in USA called NETWORK AGAINST MALARIA for St Bernadetta's School
video
video
St John Bosco Seminary
In 1967 Bishop Cyprian Kihangire began St John Bosco Seminary as a High School Seminary for Hoima Catholic Diocese. The Diocese of Hoima had just been created in August 1965 and a new Bishop C Kihangire had been appointed for Hoima and he worked hard to see to it that seminary began. It began humbly with only 13 boys joining year one of high school after having finished 7 years of elementary education in other schools. In 1978 Hoima diocese witnessesd the ordinations of the first priests who had passed through that seminary. In 1979 Fr Mujule was appointed teacher and dean of studies and Vocations Director at St John Bosco Seminary. Then In 1983- 84 was away for Master Degree in Education at University of Portland, Oregon, USA . In 1985-1990 Fr Mujule was appointed the Rector of St John Bosco Seminary.Currently Rev Fr Joseph Bigirwa is the Rector of the seminary which has a population of 250 high school seminarians doing six years of high school education as required by the Uganda Education system
St Simon Peter Vocational Training Center
Special thanks go to Brother Max Gmuer of the Missionaries of Africa (formerly known as White Fathers) for having come up with an idea of training the youth in practical skills very much needed in the construction of churches, health centers, sisters convents, church schools. Bro Max began the Institute called St Simon Peter Vocational Training Center- Hoima for a) building and brick laying, b)capentery and joinery, c) and metal works and mechanics. St Simon Peter VTC has 330 students who are having a chance to gain practical skills by working in conjuction with the Hoima Diocese Construction Department which had also been established by Brother Max. Rev. Fr. Steven Kyalimpa is the current Principal of St. Simon Peter VTC.
St Andrea Kahwa High School
St Andrea Kahwa Catholic High school was began in 1965 by Bishop Vincent McCauley and has become one of the leading academic schools in Hoima District. When Fr Mujule was appointed to teach at St John Bosco High School Seminary (1979-82 & 1985-90), he was able to do part time teaching of Christian Religious Education at St Andrea Kahwa Secondary School. Special thanks go to Rev. Fr. William Ssozi who upon becoming the Principal of that school put in a lot of efforts to upgrade the standards of the school. Rev. Fr. Paschal Kihika is the current Principal of the school which has 1200 students: i.e 650 girls and 550 boys
St Maria Catholic Primary School
St Maria Catholic Primary School was began by Fr Mujule in 2001. It began in the very buildings that once housed St Margaret Mary Girls Hostel built with funds from Fr Mujule's friends in Europe and USA. This is because in 2000 the girls hostel was moved up to the former catechumenate buildings, and so in 2001 the lower and former hostel facility was thus turned into St Maria Primary school. Fr Mujule began St Maria Primary School, in order to give good foundation of primary education to school children in the area and thus enable them excel academically and be able to go for secondary education. Special thanks to Rev. Fr. Paul Zziwa of St Joseph's parish, Muhorro, for his efforts in raising the standards of St Maria P/S now perfoming best in PLE exams in Muhorro. The school has 550 students.
St. Adolf Tibeyalirwa High School
The school is named after a Uganda Martyr Saint called Adolf Tibeyalirwa a Martyr Saint from Toro kingdom. This secondary school was began in 1985 by a missionary priest Fr. Michael Vezzolli (M.Afr) the Parish Priest of Muhorro parish at that time. Unfortunately later on the enrolment declined until October 1991 when Fr. Mujule was transferred to Muhorro Catholic Parish. Immediately upon arrival he became the Headteacher/Principal of this school and began to mobilize the local community to bring in more students. As Headteacher, Fr. Mujule saw a rise in enrolment from 40 students in Oct 1991 to 480 in 1998, and during that time he managed to get the school built with funds from his most dear friend Brother Max Gmuer of Missionaries of Africa (M.Afr), and help friends in Europe and USA. The donotaions help set up extra classrooms, a Multipurpose hall, a 40,000 liters water tank, an Administration Block, and desks for the increasing number of students. Special thanks go to Bishop Deo Byabazaire of Hoima Diocese and Retired Hon. Matia Baguma-Isoke (former Uganda government Minister for Lands), who enabled this Catholic school become a government-aided school, and now it is under the program of Universal Secondary Education (U.S.E.)with 1000 students i.e 550 boys and 450 girls
St. Margaret Mary Girls High School
This school was begun by Fr. Mujule in February 2002 in response to Muhorro Parish and the local cummunity's appeal to Fr. Mujule to put up a secondary school for the girl-child. The school began in response to the big challenge of a very high rate of girls dropping-out of school. Thanks go to three people who encouraged Fr. Mujule to begin the girls secondary school: they are John Asaba Ssentongo, Joseph Nduuru Birungi, and Anthony Lwanga Omuhinda. Thanks to The Swiss League of Catholic Women helped with the setting up of the hostel-residence facilities for the girls. Thanks to the U.S.A. AMBASSADOR in Kampala-UGANDA helped us with donation for a solar light system for the girls school in 2003. Special thanks to friends in USA for their donations that helped put up a two classroom block and Administration Office Block, and helped buy the desks and beds for the students. Special thanks go to Bishop Deogratias Byabazaire of Hoima Diocese and Retired Hon.Benigna Mukiibi former State Minister of Pensions, who enabled St Margaret Catholic Girls High School become a government-aided school with a good Girls Education Program. Thanks to Fr Thomas Barungi of Hoima Diocese for assistance from Germany for the construction and equipment of the science laboratory block. The school enrolment is 550 students.
VIDEO
VIDEO
URDT Girls School - ARU University for Women
The Uganda Rural Development Training (URDT) is a local NGO that was established by Mwalimu Musheshe in Kagadi Town. URDT has a URDT Girls School — primary school, secondary school, and recently it opened its doors to students joining the first African Rural University for Women (ARU). Fr Mujule is grateful to his friend Mwalimu Musheshe founder of URDT, KKCR and ARU, for the encouragement given him in coming to Kagadi and give radio talks on education and and on girl child education. URDT has a local FM radio station, Kagadi-Kibaale Community Radio =(KKCR) 91.7 FM, that Fr. Mujule has been using for talks on education issues
See the video on African Rural University / URDT here:
See the video on African Rural University / URDT here:
Education in Bwikara Catholic Parish
Primary Education in Bwikara
In the newly established Bwikara Catholic Parish where Fr Mujule has been its Founding Pastor Mar'05-Jul'06, there are several elementary schools established mainly by the local communities and some of which have now become government aided schools under the program o fUganda's Free Universal Primary Education (UPE) for all. During his priestly ministry in Muhorro and Bwikara parishes, Fr Mujule encouraged the establishment of several the community primary school be established on village church land and thus registered as catholic church founded school. Some of these schools have been elevated to the status of Government aided primary schools and thus getting assistance like government appointed Headteacher, teachers, their salaries, school textbooks, desks and building of classrooms and teacher houses.St Kizito Primary Schoolis a Bwikara Parish catholic church founded school that has 500 children studying under the U.P.E program.
Secondary Education in Bwikara
BWIKARA Secondary school
has 350 students doing 4 years of free universal secondary education, (U.S.E) and was began by the local community - by the SubCounty of Bwikara. There are 230 boys and 120 girls in this school.
MPEEFU (SEED) secondary school
is among the many secondary schools built by Uganda government in conjuction with the World Bank in an effort to provide free Universal Secondary Education especially deep in rural areas. There are 550 students in this school who are doing 4 years of secondary education: 350 boys and 200 girls.
The highrate of rural school drop-outsis mainly due to the fact that the students find it hard to endure walking long distances to and fro school: 6 miles x 2 = 12 miles daily. And so most student give up half way through their secondary education. But mainly its the girls with the very high rate of school dropout due to teenage pregnacies and lack of support from parents and village community
In the newly established Bwikara Catholic Parish where Fr Mujule has been its Founding Pastor Mar'05-Jul'06, there are several elementary schools established mainly by the local communities and some of which have now become government aided schools under the program o fUganda's Free Universal Primary Education (UPE) for all. During his priestly ministry in Muhorro and Bwikara parishes, Fr Mujule encouraged the establishment of several the community primary school be established on village church land and thus registered as catholic church founded school. Some of these schools have been elevated to the status of Government aided primary schools and thus getting assistance like government appointed Headteacher, teachers, their salaries, school textbooks, desks and building of classrooms and teacher houses.St Kizito Primary Schoolis a Bwikara Parish catholic church founded school that has 500 children studying under the U.P.E program.
Secondary Education in Bwikara
BWIKARA Secondary school
has 350 students doing 4 years of free universal secondary education, (U.S.E) and was began by the local community - by the SubCounty of Bwikara. There are 230 boys and 120 girls in this school.
MPEEFU (SEED) secondary school
is among the many secondary schools built by Uganda government in conjuction with the World Bank in an effort to provide free Universal Secondary Education especially deep in rural areas. There are 550 students in this school who are doing 4 years of secondary education: 350 boys and 200 girls.
The highrate of rural school drop-outsis mainly due to the fact that the students find it hard to endure walking long distances to and fro school: 6 miles x 2 = 12 miles daily. And so most student give up half way through their secondary education. But mainly its the girls with the very high rate of school dropout due to teenage pregnacies and lack of support from parents and village community
Church in Rural Evangelization
After several years of ministry in Hoima Town area, Fr Mujule was transferred to Muhorro Catholic Parish in Kibaale District where he has worked in rural areas Oct'91 - Jul'06. During those years he was able to serve as Associate Pastor at Muhorro Parish (91-97), Pastor of Muhorro Parish (Jan'98-Feb'05), Caretaker incharge of preparing the would be newly established Kagadi Town Parish (1996-97), and Pastor of newly established Bwikara Parish (Mar'05-Jul'06).
In 1997 Muhorro catholic parish witnessed the creation of Kagadi Town Parish that began with 7 village chapels that once belonged to the 35 chapels of Muhorro Parish. The years that followed Muhorro parish experienced great SPIRITUAL RENEWAL by the Power of GOD'S HOLY SPIRIT at work in two very active Lay Apostolate Movements or prayer groups in Hoima Catholic Diocese i.e. The Uganda Catholic Charismatic Renewal - John 20:22 and another very active prayer group called the Uganda Martyrs Guild - Acts 1:8. It was a time of God's Special Favour (Lk 4:19), a time of God's Grace given to his people of Buyaga County in southern part of Kibaale District. Bishop Deo Byabazaire of Hoima Diocese gave a go ahead for Fr Mujule to contact Bishop Robert Muhiirwa of Fort Portal Diocese and Rev. Fr. Bonaventure Kasaija and Rev. Fr. Richard Potthast CSC a missionary priest of Fort Portal Diocese on how to introduce the new lay apostolate movement of the Uganda Martyrs Guild in Muhorro parish. The Uganda Martyrs movement is very strong and active in the neighbouring Diocese of Fort Portal because of the strong devotion to St ADOLF TIBEYALIRWA the martyr saint from Katoosa Parish, Kyenjojo District, Fort Portal Diocese. The Renewal of Rural Small Christian Communities was accelerated by the above two active Lay Apostolate Movements as experienced in the formation of many SMALL CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES centred on prayer and reflection on the WORD of GOD. In Mar'05 Fr Mujule was tranferred to Bwikara that became the new Bwikara Parish. Bwikara Parish took away 47 village chapels and thus Muhorro remained with 19 village chapels. Each village chapel has about 150-200 catholic families. Each subparish or village chapel has a Catechist as its leader for Sunday services in the absence of the priest. The chapel has a Chairperson of the village chapel pastoral council.
In 1997 Muhorro catholic parish witnessed the creation of Kagadi Town Parish that began with 7 village chapels that once belonged to the 35 chapels of Muhorro Parish. The years that followed Muhorro parish experienced great SPIRITUAL RENEWAL by the Power of GOD'S HOLY SPIRIT at work in two very active Lay Apostolate Movements or prayer groups in Hoima Catholic Diocese i.e. The Uganda Catholic Charismatic Renewal - John 20:22 and another very active prayer group called the Uganda Martyrs Guild - Acts 1:8. It was a time of God's Special Favour (Lk 4:19), a time of God's Grace given to his people of Buyaga County in southern part of Kibaale District. Bishop Deo Byabazaire of Hoima Diocese gave a go ahead for Fr Mujule to contact Bishop Robert Muhiirwa of Fort Portal Diocese and Rev. Fr. Bonaventure Kasaija and Rev. Fr. Richard Potthast CSC a missionary priest of Fort Portal Diocese on how to introduce the new lay apostolate movement of the Uganda Martyrs Guild in Muhorro parish. The Uganda Martyrs movement is very strong and active in the neighbouring Diocese of Fort Portal because of the strong devotion to St ADOLF TIBEYALIRWA the martyr saint from Katoosa Parish, Kyenjojo District, Fort Portal Diocese. The Renewal of Rural Small Christian Communities was accelerated by the above two active Lay Apostolate Movements as experienced in the formation of many SMALL CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES centred on prayer and reflection on the WORD of GOD. In Mar'05 Fr Mujule was tranferred to Bwikara that became the new Bwikara Parish. Bwikara Parish took away 47 village chapels and thus Muhorro remained with 19 village chapels. Each village chapel has about 150-200 catholic families. Each subparish or village chapel has a Catechist as its leader for Sunday services in the absence of the priest. The chapel has a Chairperson of the village chapel pastoral council.
Construction of Village Churches
In the years of pastoral ministry in the rural areas of Muhoro Parish (Oct'91-Feb'05) and Bwikara Parish (Mar'05-Jul'06) Fr Mujule has been amazed at the will-power of the local people in mobilising themselves to build their own local churches. He has seen the church leaders, the catechists and the lay people get actively involved in the mobilisation catholic families and of the local christian community in being able get finances, local materials and set up village chapels for their areas. In places where the population of catholics is big, the christians have managed to follow the advice of Fr Mujule and have put up big chapels/churches that are the size of 30ft x 90ft or 10m by 30m. When these churches were being constructed some 8 years ago, the christians complained that they were too big. But today these churches are filled to capacity during the Sunday Services and many more people do attend these services when they are outside because there is not enough room inside the chapels. Most of these chapels have been built near the small trading centers scattered deep in the villages. During his pastoral work in Muhoro and Bwikara parish, Fr Mujule managed to get some financial assistance from his friends in Europe and USA funds that have helped in construction of the Village churches.
Women in Rural Development
ST CHARLES LWANGA RURAL SOCIAL CENTER, Maberenga
This Rural Social Center is in Maberenga village 4 miles away from Bwikara Catholic Parish. It was once known as Maberenga secondary school established by Fr Mujule but was later on closed due to very low student enrolment. The buildings that remained at the site were converted into ST CHARLES LWANGA RURAL SOCIAL CENTER, and are to be used for programs of local community education, RurO Women's Groups, and now also serving as Ruro Center for Distribution of BEDnets. These nets are from USA supplied by and NGO called NETworkAgainstMalaria The Formation of RURAL WOMEN GROUPS began as a result of Fr Mujule's visits to the small christian communities where he noticed that to improve on women's home incomes there has to be a way by which Rural finance should target women. He also noticed that there are few women who have attended classes of elementary school education. And so Fr Mujule began a program of meeting these women and encouraging them to set up Rural Women Groups at the village chapels and to start engaging.
THE SWISS LEAGE OF CATHOLIC WOMEN
Special thanks go to the Swiss League of Catholic Women(SLCWomen) who helped Fr Mujule in setting up St Margaret Mary Girls Hostel (1997-98) in Muhorro. This Girls Hostel eventually became St Margaret Mary Girls secondary school that was began by Fr Mujule in Feb 2002. The SLCWomen was interested in girls education and in sponsoring the home education of the women in rural areas. After several visitations to the village women groups and having held women seminars at church zone levels and at Muhoro Parish, Fr Mujule contacted the Swiss League of Catholic Women (SLCWomen) who took interest in Fr Mujule's seminars and actually sent a team from Switzerland to visit the Muhorro Catholic Women Group. The SLCWomen funded the women seminars that took place afterwards in Muhoro parish. These seminars were on how to improve on their home management skills and how to establish income generating projects for their homes.
RurO WOMEN'S GROUPS
Fr Mujule's mobilisation of women's selfhelp groups is driven by his grassroot philosophy which states that Empower Women financially and develop rural communities. They have set up a tree planting projects by planting trees, they have began rearing local poultry birds, piggery in the homes, better foods for home nutrition and making handcrafts for sale. The challenge for now is on how to improve women's rural agriculture.
This Rural Social Center is in Maberenga village 4 miles away from Bwikara Catholic Parish. It was once known as Maberenga secondary school established by Fr Mujule but was later on closed due to very low student enrolment. The buildings that remained at the site were converted into ST CHARLES LWANGA RURAL SOCIAL CENTER, and are to be used for programs of local community education, RurO Women's Groups, and now also serving as Ruro Center for Distribution of BEDnets. These nets are from USA supplied by and NGO called NETworkAgainstMalaria The Formation of RURAL WOMEN GROUPS began as a result of Fr Mujule's visits to the small christian communities where he noticed that to improve on women's home incomes there has to be a way by which Rural finance should target women. He also noticed that there are few women who have attended classes of elementary school education. And so Fr Mujule began a program of meeting these women and encouraging them to set up Rural Women Groups at the village chapels and to start engaging.
THE SWISS LEAGE OF CATHOLIC WOMEN
Special thanks go to the Swiss League of Catholic Women(SLCWomen) who helped Fr Mujule in setting up St Margaret Mary Girls Hostel (1997-98) in Muhorro. This Girls Hostel eventually became St Margaret Mary Girls secondary school that was began by Fr Mujule in Feb 2002. The SLCWomen was interested in girls education and in sponsoring the home education of the women in rural areas. After several visitations to the village women groups and having held women seminars at church zone levels and at Muhoro Parish, Fr Mujule contacted the Swiss League of Catholic Women (SLCWomen) who took interest in Fr Mujule's seminars and actually sent a team from Switzerland to visit the Muhorro Catholic Women Group. The SLCWomen funded the women seminars that took place afterwards in Muhoro parish. These seminars were on how to improve on their home management skills and how to establish income generating projects for their homes.
RurO WOMEN'S GROUPS
Fr Mujule's mobilisation of women's selfhelp groups is driven by his grassroot philosophy which states that Empower Women financially and develop rural communities. They have set up a tree planting projects by planting trees, they have began rearing local poultry birds, piggery in the homes, better foods for home nutrition and making handcrafts for sale. The challenge for now is on how to improve women's rural agriculture.
RurO Network Against Malaria
In October 2006 during Fr Mujule's stay at the Bishop's Residence in Belleville Diocese, Illinois USA, Bishop Edward K Braxton of Belleville Diocese encouraged Fr Mujule to visit some American homes and get a feel of the catholic families in the Diocese. Fr Mujule visited one family that picked interest in the pastoral work he had been doing in Hoima Diocese. Having been told of the diverse ministry of Fr Mujule's involvement in rural parish life, in rural education, Girls education and women's self-help groups that particular family decide that they would begin to fundraise for the money for buying BEDnets to be sent to the families in Uganda. It was their hope that their help would reduce the many deaths of mothers and children in rural parts of Uganda. NETwork Against Malaria is a NPO = Non Profit Organisation or NGO = Non Government Organization began by that family in Belleville City of State of Illinois, USA. The five daughters in that family give talks to students in different elementary and secondary schools and in universities. The organisation has now spread to several schools, Universities and local communities who are now active members of NETWORK AGAINST MALARIA. They have put up a website and videos for demonstration to different schools, universities, as they ask people to contribute only 10$ for one Mosquito BEDNET. Malaria is the number one killer disease in Africa, a disease that has killed more people than AIDS.
RURAL OUTREACH(RurO)& NETWORK against malaria
Fr Mujule's work in Muhorro and Bwikara rural areas is a program known as Pastoral-RURAL OUTREACH or RurO. RurO has established partnership with NETwork Against Malaria an NGO in USA and RurO is Network's sole distributor of their Mosquito BEDNETS to Uganda via Fr Mujule.But why involve the School Teachers and students?
RurO's Bednets Distribution Strategy focuses at using the school teachers, the high school kids and the kids in upper classes in elementary or primary schools to take the BEDnets home deep in the villages and thus be able to help us educate the local community on the use and value of BEDnets in the fight against malaria. The World Health Organization (WHO), the World Bank and United Nations UNICEF have began a massive home to home free distribution of BEDnets to Uganda and Africa. Its the hope of NETWORK AGAINST MALARIA as an NGO that it joins the world program of free distribution of BEdnets deep in rural areas.
MORE INFORMATION ON NETWORK AGAINST MALARIA
www.NETworkAgainstMalaria.org
NETwork Against Malaria Blog
NETwork Against Malaria: Change Makers
RURAL OUTREACH(RurO)& NETWORK against malaria
Fr Mujule's work in Muhorro and Bwikara rural areas is a program known as Pastoral-RURAL OUTREACH or RurO. RurO has established partnership with NETwork Against Malaria an NGO in USA and RurO is Network's sole distributor of their Mosquito BEDNETS to Uganda via Fr Mujule.But why involve the School Teachers and students?
RurO's Bednets Distribution Strategy focuses at using the school teachers, the high school kids and the kids in upper classes in elementary or primary schools to take the BEDnets home deep in the villages and thus be able to help us educate the local community on the use and value of BEDnets in the fight against malaria. The World Health Organization (WHO), the World Bank and United Nations UNICEF have began a massive home to home free distribution of BEDnets to Uganda and Africa. Its the hope of NETWORK AGAINST MALARIA as an NGO that it joins the world program of free distribution of BEdnets deep in rural areas.
MORE INFORMATION ON NETWORK AGAINST MALARIA
www.NETworkAgainstMalaria.org
NETwork Against Malaria Blog
NETwork Against Malaria: Change Makers
Hoima Catholic Diocese
The Diocese of Hoima belongs to Uganda's Ecclesiastical Province of Mbarara Archdiocese. Hoima Diocese was erected on 9th August 1965, being made up of areas cut off from Fort Portal Diocese and the former Lubaga Archdiocese. It started with seven parishes and now has 37 parishes, with more to be opened in the future due to an increase in faith and in birth rate. HOIMA DIOCESE has had these Bishops. Bishop Cyprian B Kihangire, the founder, was later transferred to Gulu Diocese, in Northern Uganda. He was succeeded on 5th October 1969 by Bishop Albert Edward Baharagate, who retired on 9th March 1991. He was in turn succeeded by Bishop Deogratias Byabazaire, as Bishop of Hoima Diocese. On Dec 8, 2009 The Feastday of Immaculate Conception of Mary, Archbishop Paul Bakyenga of Mbarara Archdiocese announced that Pope Benedict XVI had apppointed Mbarara's Auxiliary Bishop Lambert Bainomugisha, ADMINISTRATOR of Hoima Diocese so as to help Bishop Deo Byabazaire whose health is said to be poor.
HOIMA DIOCESE covers a total area of 17,200 square kilometers or 6,643 square miles, covers all government districts of Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom, the oldest kingdom in the East and Central Africa region. King Kabalega of Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom put up a tough military resistance to British plans to colonize his kingdom until he was captured in 1899. King Kabalega was exiled in Seychelles Islands till 1923 when he was brought back to Uganda sick and aged. He died before he could reach his kingdom again. As a result of the people of Bunyoro's resistance to British Colonial rule, Bunyoro was left undeveloped for many years by the Pre-Independence and Post-Independence governments. It is only recently that the Uganda government is trying to bring development to the people of Bunyoro Kingdom. The Catholic Church – Hoima Diocese has done a lot in the field of education, evangelization, and socio-economic development to help the people of Bunyoro. Bunyoro Kingdom and Hoima Diocese cover the same area, comprised of administrative centers as mentioned here: Masindi ( in the northern part of the diocese, Hoima ( in the central), and Kibaale ( in the south). Hoima Catholic Diocese is found in western Uganda along Lake Albert, which borders with another country called the Democratic Republic of Congo =DR Congo.
HOIMA DIOCESE covers a total area of 17,200 square kilometers or 6,643 square miles, covers all government districts of Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom, the oldest kingdom in the East and Central Africa region. King Kabalega of Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom put up a tough military resistance to British plans to colonize his kingdom until he was captured in 1899. King Kabalega was exiled in Seychelles Islands till 1923 when he was brought back to Uganda sick and aged. He died before he could reach his kingdom again. As a result of the people of Bunyoro's resistance to British Colonial rule, Bunyoro was left undeveloped for many years by the Pre-Independence and Post-Independence governments. It is only recently that the Uganda government is trying to bring development to the people of Bunyoro Kingdom. The Catholic Church – Hoima Diocese has done a lot in the field of education, evangelization, and socio-economic development to help the people of Bunyoro. Bunyoro Kingdom and Hoima Diocese cover the same area, comprised of administrative centers as mentioned here: Masindi ( in the northern part of the diocese, Hoima ( in the central), and Kibaale ( in the south). Hoima Catholic Diocese is found in western Uganda along Lake Albert, which borders with another country called the Democratic Republic of Congo =DR Congo.
Diocesan Administrative Structure and Statistics
| Address: | Hoima Catholic Diocese P.O. Box 34 Hoima Uganda |
| E-mail: | hoimadiocese@yahoo.com |
| Fax: | 0465 - 40336 |
| Phone: | +256, 0465, 40061 |
DIOCESAN OFFICES
| Apostolic Adminnistrator Nov 13, '09 | Rt. Rev. Lambert Bainomugisha |
| The Bishop (poor health) | Rt. Rev. Deogratias Byabazaire |
| The Retired Bishop | Rt. Rev. Albert Edward Baharagate |
| Vicar General | Msgr. Matthias Nyakatura |
| Kibaale Episcopal Vicar | Msgr. John M. Kabyanga |
| Masindi Episcopal Vicar | Msgr.John Baptist Rwabunyoro |
| Chancellor | Fr. Peter Kibuuka |
| Pastoral Coordinator | Fr. Robert Mugisa |
| Financial Administrator | Fr. Mark Tibesigwa |
| Administrator - Construction | Fr. Rogers Biriija |
| Rector - St. John Bosco Seminary | Fr. Joseph Bigirwa |
| Socio-Economic Development | Fr. Joseph Birungi |
| Principal -St Simon Peter VTC | Fr. Steven Kyalimpa |
| Headteacher - St. Andrea Kahwa S.S. | Fr. Paschal Kihika |
| Refugees Settlement | Fr. Joseph Kizito Wangi |
| Socio Communications & Radio Maria | Fr. John Busobozi |
STATISTICS - HOIMA DIOCESE
| Area of Diocese | 17,200 square km or 6,643 square miles |
| Population | 1,600,000 (approximate) |
| Catholics | 860,000 (approximate) |
| Percent of Catholics | 53% |
| Parishes | 38 |
| Diocesan Priests | 110 |
| Catholics per Priest | 7,800 |
| Catechists | 800 |
| Outstations | 750 |
PARISHES in the 3 VICARIATES
| KIBAALE (16 Parishes) | HOIMA (10 Parishes) | MASINDI (12 Parishes) | |
| Bwikara | Bujumbura | Nyamigisa | |
| Muhorro | Hoima | Masindi | |
| Kagadi | Kitoba | Nyantonzi | |
| Mugalike | Butema | Kabango | |
| Kahunde | Kigaya | Murro | |
| Kibeedi | Munteme | Pakanyi | |
| Bujuni | Rwemisanga | Kyatiri | |
| Buseesa | Bulindi | Kigumba | |
| Kakumiro | Bugambe | Kiryadongo | |
| Bukuumi | kitana | Katulikire | |
| Magoma | Biiso | ||
| Kasambya | Buliisa | ||
| Nalweyo | |||
| Kakindo | |||
| Kinyarugonjo | |||
| Mpasaana |
Uganda's Oil Discovery "Africa's Biggest"
Fresh Uganda oil discovery is Africa's Biggest: and if this is so then this is good news for the naationUganda is a beautiful country set in the heart of Africa astride the equator. It has a total of 91,249 square miles or 236,860 square kilometers. Of this, swamps and open water cover 17%, while forest reserves and national parks cover about 12%. Uganda has a population of approximately 33 million people, of whom 60% are below the age of 15 years with an annual population growth rate of 3.4%. But as mentioned elsewhere on this site, about eight million people are very poor and live on less than $1 (one U.S. dollar) per day. The good news that might help eradicate poverty is that along Lake Albert, oil has been discovered. There is excitement that the Bunyoro Oil Discovery might help reduce poverty among Ugandans and thus raise the economic, social, and education standards of the population. The oil discovery is a blessing to the Banyoro people.
People's Economic Activities
The people of Hoima Diocese are from different tribes and are trying to co-exist together in one Diocese and under one Bunyoro Kingdom. The major towns of Hoima, Masindi and Kagadi have set up some tourist centers of attraction and some good hotels for the tourists accomodation e.g. Kolping Hotel, and Kontiki Hotel and Crown Hotel all found in Hoima Town the seat of Hoima Catholic Diocese, Bunyoro-Kitara Anglican Diocese and of Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom.
Africa's big population is rapidly expanding and so is Uganda's population: as result today there are many internal migrations in search of better land and water. Because of the migrations to Bunyoro, Land has become a hot issue in Bunyoro and at times some migrations have caused some tribal tensions in some areas. The Uganda Government has consulted Bunyoro on the new Land Bill so as to find a way forward in solving the land-tribal conflicts of Bunyoro. Many peoples of other tribes have migrated to Bunyoro-Kitara kingdom, e.g. migrants have come from the south are the Bakiga, Banyankole, refugees from Rwanda, from the north came the Alur, Acholi, Langi, Lugbara, from the west the Congolese refugees, from far north the refugees from Southern Sudan, and then there are the Banyoro people who are the natives of the area. And 90% of the diocesan population is involved in agriculture, but mainly subsistence farming of food crops like sweet potatoes, corn/maize, bananas, cassava, millet, upland rice, beans, and groundnuts. For cash crops they have coffee, tea, tobacco, a bit of cotton, and mainly beer bananas. Those along Lake Albert do fishing and some livestock farming. The recent discovery of oil on the shores of Lake Albert that borders with DR Congo, is goodnews for the economic recovery of Bunyoro — there is a prospect for oil drilling and refinery in the near future. It is the hope of Uganda and Bunyoro that the oil discovery will eradicate poverty of many who live on less than $1 (U.S.) per day; that's about $250 per year.
Africa's big population is rapidly expanding and so is Uganda's population: as result today there are many internal migrations in search of better land and water. Because of the migrations to Bunyoro, Land has become a hot issue in Bunyoro and at times some migrations have caused some tribal tensions in some areas. The Uganda Government has consulted Bunyoro on the new Land Bill so as to find a way forward in solving the land-tribal conflicts of Bunyoro. Many peoples of other tribes have migrated to Bunyoro-Kitara kingdom, e.g. migrants have come from the south are the Bakiga, Banyankole, refugees from Rwanda, from the north came the Alur, Acholi, Langi, Lugbara, from the west the Congolese refugees, from far north the refugees from Southern Sudan, and then there are the Banyoro people who are the natives of the area. And 90% of the diocesan population is involved in agriculture, but mainly subsistence farming of food crops like sweet potatoes, corn/maize, bananas, cassava, millet, upland rice, beans, and groundnuts. For cash crops they have coffee, tea, tobacco, a bit of cotton, and mainly beer bananas. Those along Lake Albert do fishing and some livestock farming. The recent discovery of oil on the shores of Lake Albert that borders with DR Congo, is goodnews for the economic recovery of Bunyoro — there is a prospect for oil drilling and refinery in the near future. It is the hope of Uganda and Bunyoro that the oil discovery will eradicate poverty of many who live on less than $1 (U.S.) per day; that's about $250 per year.
Socio-Economic Development
In order to help the population get involved in poverty eradication, Hoima Diocese has set up HOCADEO - Hoima Caritas Development Organization with the mandate and mission to foster social and economic development among the poor, the marginalized, and the disadvantaged in Hoima Diocese. Uganda's eight million people are really poor and cannot afford to run the family on a daily basis.
Fr Mujule has been encouraging the peeople deep in the rural areas, in the villages to embrace what he calls the SUGARCANE Philosophy: which refers to the fact that as the sugarcane matures, the greatest amount of sweetness slowly moves from the bottom of the cane up to the tp segments of the cane thus covering the whole sugarcane. Hard work, Poverty eradication, and Expansion of rural peoples income generating projects, and eventual must begin at home and then eventually rise to bigger unit like a village(s), till covers the SubCounty, then County, District, Region, Nation.
Fr Mujule has been encouraging the peeople deep in the rural areas, in the villages to embrace what he calls the SUGARCANE Philosophy: which refers to the fact that as the sugarcane matures, the greatest amount of sweetness slowly moves from the bottom of the cane up to the tp segments of the cane thus covering the whole sugarcane. Hard work, Poverty eradication, and Expansion of rural peoples income generating projects, and eventual must begin at home and then eventually rise to bigger unit like a village(s), till covers the SubCounty, then County, District, Region, Nation.
Catechists' Pastoral Activities
It has been said that Africa and indeed the Third World is experiencing a rapid rise and expansion in Christianity and more so in Catholicism. But in Africa or Hoima Diocese the priest alone cannot do the task of the formation of the Christian community – the parish. Often the parishes are big, spreading out and far, some 20 miles to the furthest end of the parish. Each parish has about 20-50 village chapels run by catechists. And each village chapel has 90-150 Catholic families. There is need to get more laity trained as catechists but the diocese has few funds to do so. These catechists are trained at Mugalike Catechists Training Centre, some for one year, others for two years. Most catechists lack the simple pastoral transportation of a bicycle which costs just $100 (U.S. dollars) = 200,000 Uganda shillings.
Vocations to the Priesthood
St. JOHN BOSCO HIGH SCHOOL or Minor SEMINARY
This seminary was established in 1967 to give early seminary priestly formation to Catholic boys of secondary education. These boys aged 14 years come here for six years of secondary education. Hoima Diocese is gifted with many vocations to the priesthood — there are about 250 students in St. John Bosco Diocesan High school Seminary. This seminary can now proudly claim to have produced almost 130 out of 145 diocesan priests.
PRE-THEOLOGATE & THEOLOGATE Major SEMINARIANS
Uganda's National Major Seminaries: After 6 years of high school seminary, the students go to either Alokolum (in Gulu Archdiocese) or Katigondo (in Masaka Diocese) National Major Seminary for three years of B.A.Degree in social and philosophical studies and pre-theologate priestly seminary formation. After these 3 years they go out to the parishes for one year of Pastoral Spiritual Year and a time to reflect on their vocation. Then they go to either National Seminary: Kinyamasika (in Fort Portal Diocese) or Ggaba (in Kampala Archdiocese) for four years of theologate seminary formation. At the end of the third year theologate one is ordained a transitional Deacon, and at the end of the fourth year theologate is ordained a Priest. Hoima Diocese has been blessed by God with a rise in priestly vocations, with almost 90 major seminarians. In the last four years Hoima Diocese has been blessed with almost 6 priestly and 6 deaconate ordinations taking place every year in the month of July. The Theologate Seminaries offer a degree: Master of Arts in Religious and Theological Studies. And there is also St Mbaga Major seminary for Kampala Archdiocese where the seminarians do 8 years priestly formation: i.e 5 yrs, then 1 pastoral year and finally 2 years, then are ordained priests, ready for priestly ministry.
HISTORICAL ORDINATION - 17 PRIESTS - JULY 17, 2010
Hoima Diocese celebrated 45 years since the Diocese began in 1965, and God gave Hoima Diocese th biggest gift of His Love: it was to witness to the Historical Ordination of the biggest number ever in Hoima Diocese. On Saturday 17 July, 2010the Apostolic Administrator fo Hoima Diocese Bishop Lambert Bainomugisha ordained 17 priests and 5 transitional Deacons for Hoima Diocese. Matthew 9:37-38
This seminary was established in 1967 to give early seminary priestly formation to Catholic boys of secondary education. These boys aged 14 years come here for six years of secondary education. Hoima Diocese is gifted with many vocations to the priesthood — there are about 250 students in St. John Bosco Diocesan High school Seminary. This seminary can now proudly claim to have produced almost 130 out of 145 diocesan priests.
PRE-THEOLOGATE & THEOLOGATE Major SEMINARIANS
Uganda's National Major Seminaries: After 6 years of high school seminary, the students go to either Alokolum (in Gulu Archdiocese) or Katigondo (in Masaka Diocese) National Major Seminary for three years of B.A.Degree in social and philosophical studies and pre-theologate priestly seminary formation. After these 3 years they go out to the parishes for one year of Pastoral Spiritual Year and a time to reflect on their vocation. Then they go to either National Seminary: Kinyamasika (in Fort Portal Diocese) or Ggaba (in Kampala Archdiocese) for four years of theologate seminary formation. At the end of the third year theologate one is ordained a transitional Deacon, and at the end of the fourth year theologate is ordained a Priest. Hoima Diocese has been blessed by God with a rise in priestly vocations, with almost 90 major seminarians. In the last four years Hoima Diocese has been blessed with almost 6 priestly and 6 deaconate ordinations taking place every year in the month of July. The Theologate Seminaries offer a degree: Master of Arts in Religious and Theological Studies. And there is also St Mbaga Major seminary for Kampala Archdiocese where the seminarians do 8 years priestly formation: i.e 5 yrs, then 1 pastoral year and finally 2 years, then are ordained priests, ready for priestly ministry.
HISTORICAL ORDINATION - 17 PRIESTS - JULY 17, 2010
Hoima Diocese celebrated 45 years since the Diocese began in 1965, and God gave Hoima Diocese th biggest gift of His Love: it was to witness to the Historical Ordination of the biggest number ever in Hoima Diocese. On Saturday 17 July, 2010the Apostolic Administrator fo Hoima Diocese Bishop Lambert Bainomugisha ordained 17 priests and 5 transitional Deacons for Hoima Diocese. Matthew 9:37-38