St. Francis Catholic Parish, Kyanamira, has been officially inaugurated entrusted to the stewardship of the Missionaries of Africa, becoming the 42nd Parish in the Kabale Diocese, having been curved our of Our Lady of Good Shepherd Rushoroza Cathedral Parish. The elevation marks not only the creation of a new administrative parish but also the birth of a vibrant faith community in Kyanamira a spiritual home where faith, hope, and love are expected to flourish.
While reading out the decree for election of the new parish to the faithful gathered at St. Francis Kyanamira Playground, Rt. Rev. Callist Rubaramira, Bishop of Kabale Diocese said the new parish will comprise of 17 outstations (hiikas) found in the three greater Centres of Kyanamira, Muyumbu and Kacuro. Kyanamira Centre comprises of hiikas of Kyanamira, Nyakatare, Kishekyera, Kigata, Kabaraga, Nyakijumba, Rubira, and Rwakashande. Then Kacuro Centre comprises of the hiikas of Kacuro, Kyarumanyika, Kitibya and Kihanga while Muyumbu Centre comprises of the hiikas of Muyumbu, Nyakiju, Rwashenyire, Nyabitabo and Nyabushabi.
While preaching during the inauguration Mass, Bishop Callist Rubaramira called on faithful to embrace their divine calling and mission, reminding them that they are chosen by God to live according to the tenets of the Christian faith. He urged them to treasure the gifts of God above all else, shun worldly distractions, and keep their hope firmly anchored in Him. He also reminded them that attaining parish status means they have grown in faith, and is a sign of God’s presence among them, but comes along with a number of obligations.
The faithful must create time and visit Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, devote more time to prayer, and reception of the sacraments since the priests are among them to administer to them. Bishop Rubaramira urged the Catholics in the area to collaborate with the newly appointed priests to develop the parish and its institutions.
The newly established parish was placed under the stewardship of the Missionaries of Africa (formerly called White Fathers because of their white habit – kanzu and big rosary), who brought the Catholic faith in Uganda in 1879. The Missionaries of Africa were the ones who evangelized the Diocese of Kabale, with catechist Yowana Kitagana being their proto-evangelizer.
Rev. Fr. Charles Nikiema from Bukina Faso was announced as the pioneer Parish Priest assisted by Rev. Fr. Balthazard Buhalagarha Grace (from Democratic Republic of Congo) and Rev. Fr. Armel Somda from Bukina Faso — all members of the Missionaries of Africa.
Fr. Charles Nikiema, the pioneer Parish priest of St. Francis Kyanamira Parish in his remarks thanked Bishop Callist Rubaramira for inviting the Missionaries of Africa to come back home in Kabale Diocese and carry out the work of evangelization. He thanked the Superior General of the Missionaries of Africa for giving him an opportunity to start up and new parish and become it’s pioneer Parish priest together with his fellow priests, Fr. Balthazard and Fr. Somda. He called on the faithful in Kyanamira to collaborate with them so that their apostolate can be smooth among them.
While giving remarks as chief guest, Hon. Henry Musasizi Ariganyira, the State Minister for Finance, Planning and Economic Development in charge of General Duties represented by Hon. Wilfred Niwagaba (MP for Ndorwa East) urged the Christians to work closely with parish administration in order to foster spiritual and infrastructural development. Hon. Musasizi contributed 10 million shillings for the development of the new parish.
The colorful ceremony drew several dignitaries, including Hon. Catheline Ndamira Atwakiire (Woman MP for Kabale District) Hon. Eliab Naturinda Mporera (Ndorwa West MP flag bearer), Dr. Protase Begumisa (Ndorwa East NRM flag bearer), Nshangabashaija Nelson (Kabale District Chairman), Mr. Tumukwasiibwe Nicodemus Odo (Chairman Laity for Kabale Diocese), Sr. Scholastic Kyobutungi (Superior General of the Daughters of Our Lady of Fatima), Sr. Angelina Tukamushaba (Superior General of the Consolers of the Sacred Heart of Jesus) among others.
Kyanamira parish started as Rugomera, way back in 1926 as a small Hiika at the current Sub County headquarters and the sub county located at the current Kyanamira Primary School. Kyanamira Primary School started in 1932 and the sub county chief by then was Sir. Paul Ngologoza who started the idea of relocating the sub county headquarters to their current location and in 1943 during the reign of Paul Kakwenza, the relocation was complete in order to give enough space for the expansion of the church and the Primary School.
In 1974, Bishop Barnabas Halem’Imana gave Kyanamira Catholic Church the Eucharistic Center under the leadership of Rwomukubwe Apolinari, who was the Chairman of the Muluka and Kaboneire Narcisio, the Catechist by then. Kyanamira Eucharistic Center by then comprised of Kyanamira, Nyakatare, Nyakijumba, Rubira, Kigata, Kitibya, Kyeibare, Kacuro and Kihanga. With time, other hiikas (outstations) were created like Rwakashande Hiika (from Rubira), Kyarumanyika Hiika (from Kacuro), Kishekyera (from Kyanamira in 2024) and Kabaraga (from Nyakatare in 2025) while other hiikas originated from Muyumbu.
Congratulations to the Parishioners of St. Francis Kyanamira Parish and fruitful ministry by the Missionaries of Africa.