It was all jubilation across Kabale Diocese on the Saturday of October 3, 2026 as the Diocese received its new shepherd, Rt. Rev. Bonaventure Bosco Gubazire, who was ordained and installed as the fifth Bishop of Kabale Diocese since its inception in 1966.
Bishop Gubazire was ordained by Rt. Rev. Callist Rubaramira, Bishop Emeritus of Kabale Diocese, who served as the Principal Consecrator, alongside His Excellency Archbishop Tomasz Grysa, Apostolic Nuncio to Uganda, and His Grace Lambert Bainomugisha, Archbishop of Mbarara Archdiocese.
The ceremony was witnessed by lay faithful, clergy, religious men and women, government officials and members of other Christian denominations.
Bishop Gubazire was appointed the fifth Bishop of Kabale Diocese by Pope Leo XIV, with his appointment announced on July 15, 2026, by Rev. Fr. Georges Kwami Kouwonou, Chargé d’Affaires of the Apostolic Nunciature in Uganda.
The Rite of Episcopal Ordination
The Rite of Episcopal Ordination began with the presentation of the Apostolic Mandate, with Bishop Rubaramira, the Principal Consecrator, asking whether there was a mandate from the Apostolic See. “We have,” came the response.
The mandate was then read to the congregation by the Chancellor of Kabale Diocese, Fr. Placid Mugumya, in Latin, English and Rukiga-Runyankore, after which the clergy and faithful expressed their assent with the response, “Thanks be to God.”
After the homily, the Bishop-elect stood before Bishop Rubaramira and made the solemn promises to faithfully carry out the episcopal office entrusted to him, proclaim the Gospel of Christ and guard the deposit of faith in its pure and entire form according to the tradition of the Church.
The rite also included the anointing of Bishop Gubazire’s head, the handing over of the Book of the Gospels and the presentation of the insignia of his episcopal office, formally marking his elevation to the episcopate.
Bishop Rubaramira Urges Bishop Gubazire to Embrace Service
In his homily, Bishop Rubaramira urged Bishop Gubazire to regard his appointment as a call to service rather than an honour.
He said the office of a Bishop is rooted in the mission entrusted by Jesus Christ to the Apostles to preach the Gospel, sanctify the faithful and guide them as one flock.
Rubaramira said the ministry of Bishops has been preserved through apostolic succession, allowing the mission of Christ to continue from one generation to another.
He told Gubazire that his appointment was a responsibility entrusted to him by God to serve the people rather than a position of privilege.
He urged the new Bishop to follow the example of Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, by knowing and caring for the people entrusted to his leadership and being prepared to sacrifice for their wellbeing.
He called on the new Bishop to work closely with priests and deacons and give particular attention to the poor, the weak, foreigners and strangers.
Rubaramira also urged Gubazire not to neglect people who have not yet joined the Catholic Church, saying they too fall within his pastoral responsibility.
He reminded him that his ministry extends beyond Kabale Diocese because, as a Bishop, he is now part of the College of Bishops and should remain concerned about other members of the Universal Church, particularly those in need.
He said Bishop Gubazire would exercise Christ’s roles as Teacher, Priest and Shepherd and urged the faithful to receive him as a minister of Christ and steward of the mysteries of God.
Museveni Commends Catholic Church
At the same function, the President of the Republic of Uganda, H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni commended the Catholic Church for partnering with the government to promote socio-economic development and improve the livelihoods of Ugandans.
Museveni said the Church’s contribution to national development extends beyond spiritual matters to education, health, charity, skills development and community transformation.
The President, who was the Chief Guest at the Episcopal Ordination and Installation of Rt. Rev. Bonaventure Bosco Gubazire, made the remarks in a message delivered by Finance Minister Henry Ariganyira Musasizi.
He congratulated the newly ordained Bishop and urged the Church to strengthen its involvement in wealth creation and skills development, particularly among young people, as part of efforts to address unemployment and improve household incomes.
He said the government would continue working with religious institutions to promote self-reliance and sustainable development.
Museveni also paid tribute to the Emeritus Bishop of Kabale Diocese, Rt. Rev. Callist Rubaramira, for his 23 years of service to the Diocese.
He described the transition from Bishop Rubaramira to Bishop Gubazire as an important milestone and thanked the retired Bishop for serving the Diocese with discipline and vision.
Museveni congratulated Gubazire upon his appointment and urged him to embrace the responsibility of serving the people of God.
The President also donated a Land Cruiser vehicle to Bishop Gubazire to facilitate his pastoral and evangelisation work in the Diocese.
Musasizi Calls for Pastoral Closeness
Minister for Finance, Pllanning and Economic Development, Henry Ariganyira Musasizi said he had been tasked with mobilising resources from friends towards supporting the new Bishop and thanked those who made contributions towards the initiative.
The Finance Minister urged Bishop Gubazire to embrace pastoral closeness and dedicate himself to serving the people entrusted to his care.
Musasizi said Bishop Gubazire’s two decades of pastoral, academic and missionary experience in Mozambique, Malawi, the Philippines and Ghana had prepared him for his new responsibility.
He urged him to draw inspiration from the missionary spirit of Cardinal Charles Lavigerie, founder of the Missionaries of Africa, remain close to Christ and the people of Kigezi, particularly the poor, young people, priests and lay faithful.
Musasizi pledged continued government collaboration with Kabale Diocese in areas including peacebuilding, education, health and human development.
Tayebwa Congratulates Gubazire
Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa, who also congratulated Gubazire, said his elevation to the episcopacy was part of a journey that had prepared him for the responsibility.
Citing Psalm 75:6-7, Tayebwa said promotion does not come from the east, west or south, but from God, who is the judge.
He said Bishop Gubazire’s journey from Kitumba to missionary assignments in Mozambique, Malawi, the Philippines and Ghana had prepared him for his new responsibility.
Bishop Gubazire Thanks God, Pope Leo XIV
In his remarks, the newly ordained Bishop Bonaventure Bosco Gubazire thanked God for elevating him to the order of the episcopate.
He thanked Pope Leo XIV for entrusting him with the pastoral leadership of Kabale Diocese and expressed gratitude to the Apostolic Nuncio to Uganda, Archbishop Tomasz Grysa, and the Bishops who participated in his Episcopal Ordination.
He also paid tribute to his predecessor, Bishop Emeritus Callist Rubaramira, who led Kabale Diocese for 23 years and served as the Principal Consecrator during his Episcopal Ordination.
He described Bishop Rubaramira as a blessing to the Diocese, citing his pastoral zeal, wisdom, simplicity and developmental spirit.
By divine providence, Bishop Callist is the very person whom God used to ordain me into the priesthood in 2003. This is not sheer coincidence. It is God’s making – Bishop Bonaventure Bosco Gubazire said.
He pledged obedience, communion and collaboration with fellow Bishops, priests, religious leaders and the faithful as he begins his ministry as the fifth Bishop of the Diocese.
He said he would rely on the prayers, guidance and support of his fellow Bishops and the faithful as he takes on the pastoral responsibility entrusted to him by Pope Leo XIV.
Bishop Gubazire also pledged to build on the foundation laid by his predecessors by strengthening diocesan structures and improving the lives of the people, particularly the less privileged.
He commended the government for maintaining peace and stability, saying the environment had enabled Christians and other guests to gather for his Episcopal Ordination without fear since their security was guaranteed.
However, he called for continued collaboration, mutual trust, dialogue, justice and respect for the rule of law to safeguard peace in Uganda.
The Bishop said the Church and government share a responsibility to improve the lives of Ugandans through education, affordable healthcare, household income generation and the promotion of the common good.
He also thanked President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for the support extended towards his Episcopal Ordination, including a financial contribution and a vehicle donated to the Diocese.
Archbishop Grysa Urges Faithful to Support New Bishop
The Apostolic Nuncio to Uganda, Archbishop Tomasz Grysa, urged priests and the faithful of Kabale Diocese to give Bishop Gubazire unwavering support as he begins his ministry.
He said the appointment of Bishop Gubazire by Pope Leo XIV was a testimony to his years of dedicated service to the Catholic Church.
A member of the Missionaries of Africa, commonly known as the White Fathers, Bishop Gubazire has served in several countries, including Mozambique, Malawi, France, Ireland, the Philippines and Ghana.
“Your appointment by His Holiness Pope Leo XIV is a beautiful testimony to a lifetime of devout, selfless and zealous service,” Archbishop Grysa said.
He described Bishop Gubazire as a spiritual leader, academic and pastor with a servant’s heart, saying his missionary experience would be valuable as he returns home to lead Kabale Diocese.
He noted that Bishop Gubazire is a son of Kigezi who was born and nurtured in the region and urged him to build on the foundation laid by his predecessors.
He paid special tribute to the late Bishop Robert Marie Gay, who was also a member of the Missionaries of Africa and led the Diocese from 1994 to 2003, and Bishop Rubaramira, who served for 23 years before his retirement.
Turning to the priests, Archbishop Grysa urged them to work closely with Bishop Gubazire and support him in carrying out his pastoral responsibilities.
“A bishop can only carry out his mission through the hands and hearts of his priests,” he said.
He urged the priests to be a source of strength, comfort and trusted cooperation to the new Bishop while maintaining unity and brotherhood in serving the faithful.
Archbishop Grysa also commended the consecrated men and women for their contribution to the Church through prayer and service in different sectors, including schools, hospitals and diocesan offices.
Bishop Gubazire Becomes Fifth Bishop of Kabale
Bishop Bonaventure Bosco Gubazire is the fifth Bishop of Kabale Diocese since its establishment in 1966. He follows the pioneer Bishop, Rt. Rev. Gervase Nkalanga, who served as Apostolic Administrator from 1966 to 1969; Bishop Barnabas Halem’Imana, who served from 1969 to 1994; Bishop Robert Marie Gay, who served as Apostolic Administrator from 1994 and as Bishop from 1996 to 2003; and Bishop Callist Rubaramira, who served from 2003 until his retirement on July 15, 2026.
With his Episcopal Ordination and Installation, Bishop Bonaventure Bosco Gubazire now assumes the pastoral leadership of Kabale Diocese, bringing extensive missionary, pastoral and academic experience to his new ministry, while building on the foundations laid by his predecessors.