Married couples have been encouraged to embrace effective communication as a cornerstone for building lasting, peaceful, and Christ-centred families. The call was made by Sr. Judith Atukwatse, the Family Ministry Coordinator for Kabale Diocese on Thursday, June 18, 2026, during a marriage enrichment seminar held at St. Barnabas Parish Karujanga in Rushoroza Deanery.
While addressing participants in the seminar, Sr. Atukwatse emphasized that open, respectful, and honest communication enables spouses to understand each other’s thoughts, feelings, and intentions without resorting to insults, abuse, or personal attacks.
She noted that healthy communication is not merely a desirable quality in marriage but a necessity for maintaining harmony and peace within the family. She called for amicably resolving the queries that arise before being judgmental to each other.
She further warned against denying a spouse conjugal rights as a form of punishment, describing the practice as a grave violation of marital love. She observed that when such deprivation is prolonged, it can result in serious consequences, including psychological torture, hopelessness, alcoholism, violence, suicidal thoughts, and even murder.
Sr. Atukwatse reiterated the importance of anger management in families. She noted that while still burning up with anger, has led many into fights and physical harm to each other. “Always read the signs of time and know when to speak, what to speak, how to speak, in consideration of the partner’s mood,” said Sr. Atukwatse.
Encouraging couples to remain faithful to their Christian vocation, Sr. Atukwatse reminded them that marriage is a sacred calling. “Since you receive Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament, you ought to be different from others,” she said, urging spouses to allow their faith to shape their relationships and family life.
“You need to set realistic goals and work towards them. Keeping focused on the realistic goals set helps you not to be driven away by any wind that comes by and sometimes which is not the core value of why you formed this family” – Sr. Judith Atukwatse.
The seminar concluded with the celebration of the Holy Mass, presided over by Rev. Fr. Stephen Niwandinda, who called upon married couples to reject all forms of domestic violence and to foster love, respect, and mutual care within their homes.
Fr. Stephen also cautioned against extramarital affairs, noting that infidelity destroys family unity, damages the dignity and reputation of the family, and contradicts God’s plan for marriage.
Reflecting on Proverbs 5:15–18, he emphasized the importance of marital faithfulness. He explained that the passage calls husbands and wives to find their sexual fulfillment within the sacred covenant of marriage. Just as refreshing water is drawn from one’s own well, marital intimacy is meant to be exclusive, life-giving, and a source of lasting joy. Faithfulness, he noted, protects the family, strengthens the marital bond, and gives glory to God, who established marriage for the good of humanity.
Fr. Stephen also urged parents to dedicate quality time to their children and to involve them appropriately in family decision-making, saying that such participation nurtures trust, responsibility, and stronger family relationships.
The seminar forms part of the ongoing program by Kabale Diocese to strengthen Christian families through faith formation, pastoral guidance, and practical support for married couples in line with the resolutions of Kabale Diocesan Synod which was held in 2014.