Hundreds of Christians, priests, religious, seminarians, alumni, and invited guests gathered at St. Paul’s Seminary Rushoroza on Saturday, June 27, 2026, to celebrate the Feast of the Seminary’s patron, St. Paul. The colourful celebration featured a solemn Eucharistic Celebration, the administration of the Sacrament of Confirmation, and a fundraising drive in support of the Seminary’s Diamond Jubilee Administration Block.
The Holy Mass was presided over by the Bishop of Kabale Diocese, Rt. Rev. Callist Rubaramira, who also administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to 11 candidates.
In his homily, the Diocesan Pastoral Coordinator, Rev. Fr. Fidel Ndagijimana, reminded the faithful that the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul is not merely a day of celebration but also an invitation to reflect on the Christian vocation and mission.
He thanked God for the lives and witness of Saints Peter and Paul, describing them as the two great pillars upon which the early Church was built. He noted that their unwavering faith, courage, and commitment to proclaiming the Gospel continue to inspire Christians throughout the world.
Fr. Ndagijimana urged Christians to discover and faithfully live the mission God has entrusted to each of them. “Every Christian has a mission from God,” he emphasized, encouraging believers not to fear proclaiming Christ even in the face of rejection, hardship, or persecution.
Drawing lessons from the lives of the two apostles, he challenged the faithful to become heroes of faith by standing firm in their beliefs, remaining faithful to Christ, and serving others with humility. He stressed that authentic discipleship demands commitment, sacrifice, and a willingness to place God at the centre of one’s life.
Addressing the seminarians, Fr. Ndagijimana reminded them that their vocation is fundamentally one of service. He encouraged them to prepare themselves spiritually, intellectually, and morally so that they may become faithful and dedicated priests who will serve God’s people with love. He challenged them to embrace and faithfully fulfil the mission entrusted to them by God.
During the celebration, Bishop Callist Rubaramira administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to 11 Seminarians and encouraged them to allow the Holy Spirit to strengthen their faith so that they may become courageous witnesses of Christ in their families, schools, workplaces, and communities.
In his welcoming remarks, the Rector of St. Paul’s Seminary, Rev. Fr. Augustine Tumushime, thanked Bishop Rubaramira for his unwavering fatherly support to St. Paul’s Seminary and its sister institutions, St. Adrian’s Seminary Rubanda and St. Charles Lwanga Seminary Nyakibale.
Fr. Tumushime also paid tribute to the late Rt. Rev. Gervase Nkalanga, the first Bishop of Kabale Diocese, who established St. Paul’s Seminary in 1966 by converting the former Junior School, located at the present-day St. Mary’s College Rushoroza, into a minor seminary and appointing Fr. George Schindler as its first Rector.
He also thanked the old boys for their continued support to the school that nurtured them and explained that this year’s St. Paul’s Day fundraising was dedicated to the construction of the Seminary’s Diamond Jubilee Administration Block, a lasting memorial to mark the institution’s 60 years of formation.
Speaking on behalf of the alumni, Counsel Jude Byamukama Kabuchu, President of the St. Paul’s Old Boys Association (SPOBA), thanked the Seminary administration for nurturing a strong bond with its former students. He said it was always a source of pride to return to his alma mater and witness its continued growth.
He commended the old boys for their generosity and commitment to supporting the Seminary, announcing that SPOBA had mobilized UGX 53 million towards the construction of the Administration Block, which he proposed should be named SPOBA House. By the close of the fundraising drive, a total of UGX 180,537,300 had been realised towards the project.
The Guest of Honour, Mr. Juvenile Ntacyo Muhumuza, Acting Commissioner for Development Assistance and Regional Cooperation and a member of the Seminary’s 1991 class, expressed gratitude to the Seminary administration for inviting him to officiate at the celebrations.
He credited St. Paul’s Seminary for shaping him and many other former students into responsible citizens and urged alumni to continue giving back to the institution that laid the foundation for their lives. He cited the ongoing construction of SPOBA House as a shining example of alumni commitment and encouraged current students to cultivate the same spirit of service and generosity.
Mr. Muhumuza further challenged learners to embrace technological advancement responsibly by developing digital literacy, critical thinking, teamwork, integrity, and other essential human skills that will remain relevant in an ever-changing world.
In his concluding remarks, Bishop Callist Rubaramira thanked the members of the St. Paul’s Old Boys Association for their unwavering support towards their alma mater. He encouraged former students of St. Adrian’s Seminary Rubanda and St. Charles Lwanga Seminary Nyakibale to establish vibrant alumni associations that would also support the institutions that formed them.
The Bishop also appreciated the dedicated service of Counsel Jude Byamukama, who serves on the Seminary Advisory Board as the representative of the old boys, for his continued commitment to the growth of the Seminary.
He thanked parents for sacrificing to keep their children in school and encouraged the seminarians to remain focused on their vocation. Reflecting on the Seminary’s 60-year journey, Bishop Rubaramira noted that St. Paul’s Seminary has produced numerous priests while many other former students have gone on to become responsible citizens serving humanity in Uganda and beyond, a testimony to the Seminary’s enduring contribution to the Church and society.