The Catholic Women Apostolate (CWA) in Makiro Parish has held a seminar aimed at empowering women to strengthen family life, improve household incomes, nurture their Catholic faith and identity, and promote peaceful and healthy homes.
The seminar took place on Saturday, October 17, 2026, across eight centres within Makiro Parish: Makiro, Rwamisinga, Rutooma, Nshunga, Rutugunda, Mushasha, Mpambizo and Kayungwe. The initiative forms part of the ongoing CWA formation programme being conducted across all 43 parishes of Kabale Diocese.
The sessions were facilitated by women leaders who guided participants through the responsibilities, values and qualities expected of a Catholic woman, with particular emphasis on faith, family, service to others and responsible stewardship of household resources.
The facilitators at the respective centres were Mrs. Namanya Cleatoris at Rwamisinga Centre; Mrs. Orishaba Oscar at Mushasha Centre; Mrs. Mubangizi Clare at Mpambizo Centre; Mrs. Nabukenya Angela Muzoora at Kayungwe Centre; Mrs. Ninsiima Rose at Nshunga Centre; Mrs. Martha Mugarura at Makiro Centre; Mrs. Grace Twikirize at Rutugunda Centre; and Mrs. Atuheire Justine at Rutooma Centre.
Strengthening Families Through Faith and Practical Living.
The General Secretary of the Catholic Women Apostolate in Kabale Diocese, Mrs. Angela Nabukenya Muzoora, explained that the seminar was organised to help women become agents of positive change in their families and communities.
She highlighted the importance of improving household incomes, educating children within the financial means of their families, promoting good health and sanitation in homes, reawakening Catholic faith and identity, and working towards the elimination of domestic violence.
The discussions encouraged women to recognise that building a strong Christian family requires both spiritual commitment and practical responsibility. Sound financial management, good parenting, personal discipline, mutual respect and peaceful conflict resolution were presented as important elements of a stable family.
The Virtues of a Woman of Character
The seminar drew its central reflection from Proverbs 31:10–25, which presents the biblical image of a virtuous woman, referred to in the local theme as “Omukazi w’omutima.” The passage highlights the dignity, wisdom, strength, generosity and diligence of a woman who fears the Lord.
Participants were also introduced to the meaning, foundation, membership, objectives and activities of the Catholic Women Apostolate, as outlined in the booklet on Small Christian Communities and CWA/CMA, pages 20–30.
Using the biblical passage as a guide, the facilitators emphasised ten qualities that Catholic women are encouraged to cultivate in their daily lives.
1. Faith and devotion to God
A woman of character places God at the centre of her life. She nurtures her relationship with Him through prayer, participation in the sacraments, active involvement in the Church and the practice of Christian values in her home and community.
2. Faithfulness and mutual respect in marriage
Marriage calls for fidelity, love, support and mutual respect between spouses. Women were encouraged to value their husbands, support them in their responsibilities and work together to build families founded on trust, understanding and shared responsibility.
3. Responsible motherhood
A responsible mother nurtures, teaches and guides her children with patience, love and wisdom. She plays an important role in shaping their moral character, Catholic faith, discipline and sense of responsibility, while supporting their education and integral growth.
4. Health, sanitation and personal well-being
Women were encouraged to take care of their physical and mental well-being, provide appropriate food for their families, maintain cleanliness in their homes and promote proper hygiene and sanitation. Healthy living was presented as an important contribution to the welfare of the entire family.
5. Service above self
A woman of character demonstrates generosity and compassion towards the poor, vulnerable and needy in society. She willingly shares what she has, supports those facing difficulties and contributes to the life and mission of the Church.
6. Responsible stewardship
Effective management of household finances and resources was highlighted as essential to family stability. Women were encouraged to budget wisely, avoid unnecessary expenditure, save for future needs and use available resources responsibly for the benefit of their families.
7. Creating a peaceful and orderly home
A homemaker contributes to an environment where family members feel loved, safe and respected. Participants were encouraged to maintain order, promote peaceful relationships and make their homes places of hospitality, understanding and Christian living.
8. Effective time management
Proper planning of daily activities enables women to balance family responsibilities, work, prayer, personal development and community service. The facilitators encouraged participants to use their time purposefully and prepare for the future rather than allowing important responsibilities to be neglected.
9. Hard work and diligence
The seminar underscored the value of commitment, initiative and industriousness. A diligent woman works willingly, uses her abilities productively and contributes to the economic and social well-being of her household without giving in to idleness.
10. Beauty rooted in dignity and character
Participants were reminded that a woman’s true beauty goes beyond outward appearance. Strength, dignity, wisdom, good conduct and reverence for God are lasting qualities that distinguish a woman of character. The reflection encouraged women to cultivate inner beauty while maintaining self-respect and personal care.
Empowering Women to Overcome Family Challenges
Speaking during the seminar, the Chairperson of the Catholic Women Apostolate for Makiro Deanery, Mrs. Martha Mugarura, observed that women face numerous challenges as they strive to provide for their families and meet their household responsibilities.
She emphasised the role of the CWA in empowering women to support their husbands in building strong and stable families. She also underscored the importance of mutual respect between spouses, respect and care for parents-in-law, and the responsible handling of confidential family matters.
Her message highlighted the need for women to approach family challenges with wisdom, patience and a spirit of cooperation. Strong families, she noted, are built when members support one another, communicate respectfully and work together towards their common well-being.
The discussions also reinforced the importance of addressing domestic violence and other practices that undermine family unity. Participants were encouraged to promote peaceful coexistence, responsible communication and respect for the dignity of every family member.
Promoting Holistic Family Development
The seminar further highlighted the shared objectives of the Catholic Women Apostolate and the Catholic Men Apostolate (CMA), which seek to strengthen Christian family life and promote responsible conduct among the faithful.
Among the issues emphasised were combating hatred and gossip among Christians, addressing witchcraft-related practices, preventing domestic violence, improving household incomes and contributing to poverty eradication.
Other priorities included revitalising family prayer, supporting children’s education, combating alcoholism, promoting respectful language within families, following up on the integral development of children, and improving household hygiene and general cleanliness.
These objectives reflect the importance of collaboration between women and men in building families that are spiritually grounded, economically responsible and socially harmonious. They also call on Christian communities to move beyond theoretical discussions and put their faith into practice through concrete actions in their homes and neighbourhoods.
Through the Small Christian Communities and the activities of the CWA and CMA, the Church continues to encourage the faithful to support one another, address challenges affecting family life and strengthen the Christian values that unite communities.
Continuing Formation Across Kabale Diocese
The CWA seminar in Makiro Parish is part of a wider formation programme being conducted throughout the 43 parishes of Kabale Diocese. The programme seeks to deepen women’s understanding of their apostolate and equip them with practical knowledge and spiritual guidance to fulfil their responsibilities in the Church, family and society.
By combining biblical reflection with practical discussions on parenting, household management, health, sanitation, economic empowerment and peaceful family relationships, the initiative seeks to make Catholic women more effective witnesses to the Gospel in their everyday lives.
As the programme continues across the Diocese, the faithful are encouraged to embrace the lessons shared during the seminars and translate them into practical actions that strengthen families, promote unity and foster the integral development of children. Men through their association Catholic Men Apostolate (CMA) are also urged to start their training workshops and at some point come together with Catholic Women Apostolate for a harmonized Apostolate.
The reflection on Proverbs 31:10–25 serves as a reminder that a woman of character is recognised not merely by what she possesses or how she appears, but by her faith, wisdom, diligence, generosity and reverence for God. Through these virtues, Catholic women can make a lasting contribution to the growth of the Church and the well-being of society.