The Office of Lay Apostolate Commission for Kabale Diocese has organized a one day seminar for Lay leaders and clergy in Rushoroza Deanery intended to equip them with necessary tools for effective ministry. The seminar took place on Wednesday, December 10, 2025 at Rushoroza Pastoral Centre, on Rushoroza Hill.
Fr. Bruno Byomuhangi, Director for Lay Apostolate Commission thanked members for the work being done. He reminded them that after every Mass the faithful are commissioned to go and do the Apostolate. He said this apostolate ranges from leadership, education, catechesis among others because Jesus came so that “all should have life and have it in full” (John 10:10). He urged the leaders to effect the mission of Jesus as laid in Gospel according to St. Luke. “The spirit of the Lord is on me, for he has anointed me to bring the good news to the afflicted. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives, sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim a year of favour from the Lord” (Luke 4:18-19).
Fr. Bruno said the exercise runs through all Deaneries of Kabale Diocese (Rushoroza, Rubanda, Mutolere, Makiro, Nyakibale, Kitanga and Bukinda Deaneries) so that the whole Diocese is covered in order to sensitize the laity about their role in church and society.
Fr. Fidel Ndagijimana, Pastoral Coordinator for Kabale Diocese presented a summary of the Document drafted by Vatican Council II on Lay Apostolate (Apostolicum Acuositatem) and its relevance in Uganda Catholic Church. He said the document gives mandate, meaning, urgency and impetus to the centrality of the role of the laity in the church following Vatican Council II. It calls for active involvement of the laity in the Church.
Fr. Fidel noted that the Catholic Church in Uganda must mind about the number and composition of the laity whose mission is fulfilled through their participation in the Church but also their distribution in various enterprises in secular life where they are the “light of the world and salt of the earth” (Matthew 5:13-16).
He said that according to UBOS statistics, out of 46 million Uganda, 17 millions are Catholics and only 0.1% are the clergy and religious, meaning that there must be collaboration between the laity and clergy in order to evangelize effectively. The laity are no longer spectators but active participants in the apostolate. According to Vatican Council II, there is need to conduct training of the laity if they are to produce the desired fruits in field of evangelization.
It’s good to note that the Catholic Church in Uganda has established Seminaries and houses of formation to train the clergy and religious, which has borne tremendous fruits in regards to the role of clergy and religious in the Church. There is need also to examine the formation program for the Laity in Uganda and possibly establish a formal institute for their training.
On this note, Fr. Fidel Ndagijimana noted that Kabale Diocese must think of a training institute for the laity. At some later time, there could be a consideration of having courses for the laity at St. Ignatius University Kabale. The saints in Uganda, particularly the Uganda Martyrs were all members of Laity and there is no priest or religious saint from Uganda. Kabale Diocese was challenged to start process of cause of Yowana Kitagana to be declared saint.
Fr. Fidel further outlined different aspects that need attention if there is to be harmonious and effective evangelization according to the decree:
1. Missionary nature of the laity, reaching out to the peripherals (Mt 28:18-20)
2. Challenges in ministry: corruption, lip service (not walking the talk- the world needs more of witnesses than preachers), remuneration of Catechists.
3. The family as domestic Church in nurturing the spirituality since childhood (let all parents be teachers at home).
4. Fighting for the church’s identity (the 2014 Diocesan synod emphasized Catholic Identity and commitment).
5. Full and active participation in politics (Catholics are called to participate actively in politics and take up political positions).
6. Catholics should stop shying away away in public administration and politics.
7. Using professional skills and knowledge for the positive growth of society and alleviate poverty.
8. Catechists as key participants in evangelization.
9. Use of social media and digital era benefits for the cause of evangelization (inter mirifica).
10. Intervention in mentoring the young and journeying with them (help the young learn at tender age).
Amidst all these, Kabale Diocese has helped the laity get engaged in various offices (departments and commissions), hence making it a synodal Church (1 Cor 12:1-12).
In his remarks, Mr. Tumukwasiibwe Nicodemus Odo, chairman Laity Council for Kabale Diocese thanked the Pastoral Coordinator for the presentation. He also took the participants in the evaluation of the decree on the laity under the following aspects:
a) Formation of the Laity: Joining Lay Apostolate Movements and Associations. There should be a deliberate effort to invest in human resource (training of experts).
b) Poverty alleviation: there should be consideration of extensive agriculture which boosts quantity in order to produce for consumption and sale.
c) Family Prayer: Family is a domestic Church, but we see a wave of many Catholics moving to mushrooming Churches. There is need to evaluate this aspect and remind parents to put more emphasis on giving their children basic catechetical education.
d) Leadership: use of education to attain leadership both in politics, health sector, education sector (School Management Committees) and indeed all other aspects of life. The lay faithful should be able to embrace leadership at all levels.
e) Mass Media: Positive use of media to evangelize. Social media has changed the face of evangelization for example availability of Online Bibles, online Mass, online prayers, etc. There is need to read the signs of the time and incorporate modern means of social communication in evangelization.
f) Establishment of the Association of Catholic Professionals in Parishes and Diocese in general. With this association, connecting them to employment opportunities becomes easier because they are easily identified. It could be done by categorizing different professionals e.g mechanics, salon operators, teachers, doctors, electricians, welders among others.
g) Taking advantage of the existing structures in parishes, Deaneries and Diocese in general in order to establish projects that bring them together.
The participants on their part thanked the Pastoral Coordinator and Chairman Laity for their packages and their willingness to sensitize lay leaders in the Deanery in order to have a vibrant and active community of Rushoroza Deanery.
Mr. Niwamanya Kenneth, the Head Catechist of Christ the King Parish Kabale noted that there is need to invest in the formation of lay people and equip them for evangelization. He also requested the Diocesan Education Secretary to make an inquiry if some courses could be introduced in St. Ignatius University so that the laity could get some minimum qualifications necessary for their apostolate.
Fr. Deusdedit Musinguzi, Parish Priest of Rwanyena Parish thanked the office of Lay Apostolate for organizing a seminar for Rushoroza Deanery. He was grateful for the facilitators and their packages and requested the Deanery Council to put in place a working plan to that there are quarterly meetings handling different issues affecting their Deanery.
Mr. Kamugisha Innocent, chairman of Catholic Men Apostolate for Kabale Diocese thanked the Lay Apostolate Office for conducting a seminar for the Deaneries leaders. He noted that a number of men have resorted to alcoholism because of stress. He asked the lay Apostolate office in collaboration with Family Ministry office to organize seminars to help men and married couples in general about dangers posed by alcoholism in families.
Fr. Fred Birungi, Parish priest of Christ the King Parish Kabale and Dean of Rushoroza Deanery welcomed members and thanked them for their commitment to serve God among his people. He expressed gratitude to the cooperation of the priests and laity in the deanery are and their active participation in Deanery activities. He also appreciated members who took part in the organization of the Deanery Pilgrimage and climax of the Jubilee Year on November 30, 2025 at Rushoroza Cathedral.