Kabale Diocese has marked its 60th anniversary with the ordination of 13 priests and 10 deacons, as the faithful are called to give thanks to God for the growth while renewing their faith and commitment to witnessing to the Gospel in their daily lives.
The Diamond Jubilee celebrations were held on Saturday, August 22, 2026, at Our Lady of Good Shepherd Rushoroza Cathedral. The Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Rt. Rev. Callist Rubaramira, Apostolic Administrator of Kabale Diocese, who used the occasion to reflect on thanksgiving, responsibility and continuity in the life of the Diocese.
In his homily, Bishop Rubaramira said Kabale Diocese has got many reasons to thank God for the achievements registered over the past six decades, particularly the growth of the Catholic faith and the increase in vocations to the priesthood, religious life and marriage.
He acknowledged the contribution of the previous shepherds of the Diocese—Bishop Gervasius Placidus Nkalanga, Bishop Barnabas Halem’Imana and Bishop Robert Mary Gay—whose leadership, he said, laid important foundations for the growth and development of Kabale Diocese.
Bishop Rubaramira urged Christians to use the 60th anniversary as an opportunity to reflect on their faith and to emulate the humility and faith of the Blessed Virgin Mary. He encouraged the faithful to remain grateful to God for what He has done, what He continues to do and what He will accomplish in their lives.
He further called on Christians to allow the “light” received at baptism to shine through their lives and illuminate the lives of others. He urged them to use their God-given gifts and talents to encourage others, strengthen their families and contribute to the growth of the Church.
The Bishop cautioned Christians against behaviours that undermine Christian values, including spreading rumours and engaging in activities that weaken the Christian community. Instead, he encouraged them to begin spreading the faith in their homes, workplaces and communities.
Bishop Rubaramira also called on Christians to pray for Bishop-elect Msgr. Bonaventure Bosco Gubazire, who is expected to take over the leadership of Kabale Diocese as its 5th Bishop. Msgr. Gubazire was appointed on July 15, 2026 and is scheduled to be installed on October 3, 2026 at Rushoroza Cathedral.
He urged the faithful to actively participate in the preparations for the Episcopal Ordination and to support the Bishop-elect through prayer as he prepares to assume the leadership of the Diocese.
Six Decades of Growth
Kabale Diocese was officially erected on April 17, 1966, after being separated from the Diocese of Mbarara, with Rt. Rev. Gervasius Placidus Nkalanga becoming its first Bishop. He served from 1966 to 1969 and was succeeded by Bishop Barnabas Halem’Imana, who was consecrated on August 1, 1969, and served until 1994.
Bishop Robert Mary Gay served as Apostolic Administrator of Kabale Diocese from 1994 before becoming its third Bishop in 1996. He served until his retirement in 2003 and was succeeded by Bishop Callist Rubaramira, who was consecrated on June 8, 2003. Bishop Rubaramira retired on July 15, 2026, after which he continued to serve as Apostolic Administrator pending the installation of the new Bishop.
Bishop Rubaramira called on Christians to continue praying for the Church and for the newly ordained priests and deacons, stressing that building a strong Diocese requires God’s guidance and the collective commitment of the faithful.
He urged Christians to remain rooted in God’s love, embrace their Christian responsibilities and use their faith to bring light to others while contributing to the development of their families and the Diocese.
The 13 newly ordained priests are:
– Rev. Fr. Adon Aturinde — Queen of Martyrs, Nyakishenyi Parish
– Rev. Fr. Cyril Arthur Ayebazibwe — St. Barnabas Karujanga Parish
– Rev. Fr. Deusdedit Niwagaba — Our Lady of Good Shepherd, Rushoroza Cathedral Parish
– Rev. Fr. Ivan Ndamira — St. Mary’s Mutolere Parish
– Rev. Fr. Justus Turyatunga — Immaculate Heart of Mary, Rubanda Parish
– Rev. Fr. Sostine Mugisha — Our Lady of Lourdes, Muko Parish
– Rev. Fr. Syrus Aharizira — Our Lady of Fatima, Makiro Parish
– Rev. Fr. Anakeleti Maridadi, AJ — St. Augustine Rutenga Parish
– Rev. Fr. Prosper Turihamwe, AJ — St. Peter’s Muchahi Parish
– Rev. Fr. Sosteni Turyasingura, AJ — Immaculate Heart of Mary, Rubanda Parish
– Rev. Fr. Tom Twinomujuni, AJ — St. Luke Muhanga Parish
– Rev. Fr. Venansio Twesigye, AJ — Our Lady of Africa, Rwengiri Parish
– Rev. Fr. John Bosco Magezi, M.Afr. — Immaculate Heart of Mary, Rubanda Parish
The ten newly ordained deacons are:
– Dn. David Niwayinamani — Rubanda Parish
– Dn. Demian Ampureire — Rwengiri Parish
– Dn. Derrick Matsiko — Nyakibale Parish
– Dn. Gerald Nsengiyunva — Sooko Parish
– Dn. Godwine Ainembabazi — Kyanamira Parish
– Dn. Ivan Byamugisha — Rutooma Parish
– Dn. James Byomuhangi — Muko Parish
– Dn. John Borris Nahamya — Nyakibale Parish
– Dn. Moses Niwahereza — Kambuga Parish
– Dn. Pius Orinshemeza — Nyarushanje Parish
Laity Celebrate the Diocese’s Legacy
Speaking on behalf of the Christians, Mr. Tumukwasiibwe Nicodemus Odo, Head of Laity for Kabale Diocese, thanked God for the gift of the Diocese and for the shepherds who have guided it throughout the past 60 years.
He thanked Bishop Callist Rubaramira for his exemplary and visionary leadership during his 23 years as Bishop of Kabale Diocese, noting that under his administration, parishes, institutions and other structures within the Diocese continued to develop.
Mr. Odo congratulated Bishop-elect Msgr. Bonaventure Bosco Gubazire and called upon the faithful to actively participate in preparations for his Episcopal Ordination.
He also welcomed and congratulated the newly ordained priests and deacons, describing their ordination as a significant blessing to the Diocese because priests play a central role in the celebration of the Eucharist.
He further highlighted the contribution of the Catholic Church to education, innovation and national development, citing the establishment of St. Ignatius University Kabale among the Church’s contributions.
Government Commends Church’s Contribution to Development.
The Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Hon. Henry Ariganyira Musasizi, congratulated Kabale Diocese upon reaching its 60-year milestone and commended the Church for its contribution to the development of the Kigezi region and Uganda at large.
Minister Musasizi thanked Bishop Rubaramira for his leadership and contribution to the growth of the Diocese, noting that the celebration of its Diamond Jubilee was among the major milestones of his episcopal ministry.
He also congratulated the newly ordained priests and deacons and urged the priests to become ambassadors of development wherever they serve.
“As you preach the Gospel, make sure that you also integrate it with the message of fighting poverty,” Musasizi told the newly ordained priests.
He said the government was continuing to implement programmes aimed at lifting Ugandans out of poverty, particularly initiatives such as the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga, which create opportunities for people to earn sustainable incomes.
Musasizi also highlighted government plans to improve tourism infrastructure in the Kigezi sub-region, saying contracts had been signed for some roads while others were still undergoing procurement.
He called on religious leaders to act as watchdogs against corruption and help ensure that government funds intended for development are properly utilized.
Government Calls for Stronger Church-Government Partnership
The Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, who represented President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni as Chief Guest, called for stronger collaboration between the Catholic Church and government to improve healthcare and other social services as Kabale Diocese celebrated 60 years of existence.
Representing President Museveni, Dr. Baryomunsi congratulated Kabale Diocese on reaching the milestone and commended the Catholic Church for its contribution to Uganda’s development.
He particularly praised Bishop Rubaramira for what he described as hardworking leadership, the development of Church institutions and cooperation with government.
“Congratulations to Kabale Diocese for the enormous development achieved. Thank you, Bishop, for being hardworking in your work and for your good leadership and working with government,” Baryomunsi said.
He said government planned to engage religious leaders more closely in addressing challenges affecting communities, particularly in the health sector.
Dr. Baryomunsi noted that many diseases can be prevented through better health practices and pledged closer cooperation between government and the Church to strengthen healthcare services.
“We shall organize and meet the religious leaders of each denomination to see how we can serve our people. We shall work with the Church to make sure that health services are made better,” he said.
The Minister further commended the Catholic Church for its contribution to evangelization, education, healthcare and other areas of national development. He emphasized that evangelization should go hand in hand with efforts to improve people’s livelihoods, noting that Uganda’s development agenda must address poverty while ensuring that citizens have access to essential services such as healthcare and education.
The Diamond Jubilee celebrations provided Kabale Diocese with an opportunity not only to celebrate six decades of faith and growth, but also to renew its commitment to evangelization, service, development and the formation of future generations in the Catholic faith.