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The North Kigezi Diocesan Bishop Onesimus Asiimwe on Thursday officially confirmed 42 inmates at Rukungiri main prison, comprising 35 men and 7 women in the Eastern division of Rukungiri municipality. The bishop was accompanied by Ven Amatsiko Niwegariho, the Archdeacon of All Saints Church Rukungiri, and other clergy members.
During the confirmation ceremony, Bishop Onesimus Asiimwe encouraged the inmates to place their trust in God, emphasizing that He is the only one capable of guiding them from incarceration to freedom. He stressed the power of prayer, asserting that God can create a path even where there seems to be none. The bishop also empathized with those who may be unjustly imprisoned and urged them to maintain faith in the face of adversity.
Bishop Asiimwe commended the administration of Rukungiri Prisons, particularly acknowledging the leadership of Officer in Charge Ms. Bredah Namuri, for allowing religious fellowships within the prison grounds.
Ms. Bredah Namuri expressed gratitude for the bishop’s visit, highlighting that over 40 inmates embraced Christianity during the confirmation ceremony. She credited the impact of prayers, guidance, and counseling for fostering discipline among the inmates, positively influencing their behavior upon reintegration into society.
Rev. Ronald Natuhwera, the chaplain of Rukungiri, extended appreciation to Bishop Asiimwe for selecting Rukungiri prison for the confirmation of Christians and for his ongoing support. He noted the positive changes in inmate behavior during his eight years of chaplaincy.
Head of Inmates Ronald Niwagira acknowledged the bishop for providing a chaplain who regularly prays with them. He mentioned that inmates have acquired vocational skills such as weaving, bricklaying, and carpentry, and expressed their willingness to engage in coffee growing post-release, influenced by the bishop’s radio messages.
Niwagira also requested the bishop to address the growing issue of domestic violence, as many inmates find themselves in prison due to such cases. As a gesture of celebration, Bishop Asiimwe gifted the inmates a fat cow for the upcoming Christmas festival, fostering a sense of joy and camaraderie within the prison community.
