Sam Amanya

Father Conrad Atuhaire, the Nyakibaale Parish Priest, urged Christians to love one another, continuously seek repentance and forgiveness from God, and faithfully follow His commandments to lead a holy life. He delivered this message during a sermon at the Martyrs’ Day celebration at Nyakibaale Parish in the Kabale Diocese. He highlighted that June is a sacred month commemorating the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for their faith.

Father Conrad emphasized that Jesus was the first martyr, who died for our sins to grant us eternal life. He encouraged Christians to remain steadfast in their faith throughout this holy month, reminding them that the martyrs died because of their unwavering devotion to God. He asserted that nothing, including sickness and earthly challenges, can separate us from God’s love.

Addressing the youth, Father Conrad called on them to respect their parents and cherish the church, mentioning a young martyr who died for his faith. He noted that the martyrs faced their deaths with joy and courage despite the suffering. He also stressed the importance of repentance and seeking God’s forgiveness, acknowledging human imperfection and the need for divine grace and mercy.

Christians expressed gratitude to God for the martyrs’ sacrifices and praised the pilgrims who traveled long distances to Namugongo for the celebration. They encouraged continued participation in church activities for spiritual and moral growth. The faithful also reaffirmed their commitment to their faith, willing to face any sacrifice, and urged others to turn away from transient earthly things in favor of the everlasting love of God.

Nicholas A

Rev. Fr. Henry Barekye, the assistant parish priest at Christ the King Parish in Nyakibare Deanery, Kabale Diocese, has urged Christians to always defend their faith by doing God’s will. He made this call during a Mass at Christ the King Parish in Rukungiri Municipality, celebrating the Holy Uganda Martyrs Day.

Every year on June 3rd, the Catholic Church in Uganda and its diaspora commemorates Uganda Martyrs Day, honoring the strong men who were killed by Kabaka Mwanga of Buganda in 1886. Fr. Barekye encouraged Christians to emulate the martyrs’ strength and steadfastness in defending their religion.

Fr. Barekye also spoke out against homosexuality, describing it as a contemporary challenge targeting believers. He called on Ugandans to firmly oppose homosexuality, despite potential threats to foreign aid from Western countries.

The Uganda Martyrs were a group of young Christian and Muslim men executed between 1885 and 1887 for their faith under the orders of Kabaka Mwanga of Buganda. Originally, there were 22 Catholic martyrs, but two more Christian men were killed in 1918 in Paimol, northern Uganda, bringing the total number of Catholic martyrs to 24.

Staff Reporter

The International Gorilla Conservation Program (IGCP) has extended its “Vanishing Treasures” project, valued at 760 million shillings, to the communities surrounding Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in the Kisoro district.

Initially launched in 2021 in the Nkuringo buffer zone of the Southern Sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (BINP), the Vanishing Treasures project is funded by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP). Its goal is to enhance the climate resilience of mountain communities, species, and ecosystems. This is achieved by implementing climate-smart conservation and ecosystem-based adaptation approaches to support sustainable livelihoods and land use globally.

Following a successful three-year period in Nkuringo town council, the project has now been extended to the Nyarusiza and Muramba sub-counties along Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. This is the second significant project under IGCP within these sub-counties, following the Water for Virunga project.

IGCP Director Wellard Makambo explained that the project aims to address human-wildlife conflict, promote alternative livelihoods, and mitigate the impacts of climate change and socio-economic pressures.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park’s Senior Warden, Bwire Isaiah, commended IGCP for its conservation efforts, noting that the park harbors many unknown treasures, and projects like this help sustain them.

Kisoro District LCV Chairman, Abel Bizimana, believes that the project’s successful implementation will significantly improve community livelihoods, conserve the park and its wildlife, and strengthen park-community relations. He praised IGCP and the project’s funders for their commitment to restoring the vanishing treasures of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park but also urged IGCP to allocate a substantial portion of the 760 million shillings to encourage the planting of multipurpose trees.

Editor

Police in Rubirizi District have commenced investigations into the suspected poisoning and subsequent death of a businessman.

Marcial Tumusiime, the Greater Bushenyi police spokesperson, confirmed the incident and identified the deceased as 34-year-old John Bosco Mucunguzi, a businessman and resident of Kyarutakoba Village, Katara Parish, Kichwamba Sub-county, Rubirizi District.

The incident occurred on June 2, 2024, at around 2:00 AM at Dr. Isaac’s Clinic in Katara II Village, Katara Parish, Kichwamba Sub-county, Rubirizi District.

Allegedly, on June 1, 2024, Mucunguzi was transporting matooke on a motorcycle to Ahamuku Landing Site and did not return home until around 4:00 PM, when his wife served him supper. After the meal, Mucunguzi complained to his wife of difficulty breathing and asked her to prepare a mat in the sitting room so he could lie down and get some fresh air. She complied and then went back to sleep.

Shortly thereafter, Mucunguzi began vomiting, and his vomit had a strong smell of pesticide, indicating possible poisoning. His condition worsened, rendering him unable to speak. He was initially taken to Rubirizi Medical Center, then referred to KIU Hospital in Bushenyi. However, his relatives opted to take him to Dr. Isaac’s Clinic, where he ultimately passed away.

Editor

Police in Buhweju District are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a 36-year-old man who was found hanged for unknown reasons.

The incident occurred on June 1, 2024, at an unknown time in Nyakasa Cell, Katara Parish, Karungu SubCounty, Buhweju District.

Marcial Tumusiime, the Greater Bushenyi police spokesperson, confirmed the incident and identified the deceased as Laban Nimanya, a 36-year-old tailor and resident of the aforementioned address.

It is alleged that Nimanya had been living alone since last week due to domestic issues that led his wife to return to her parents’ home.

Tumusiime stated that Nimanya had not been seen until the evening when his relative, Faustine Tuhairwe, checked on him and found the door locked from the inside.

Godfrey Ahimbisibwe, the 57-year-old LC 1 chairman who reported the matter to the police, said the body was discovered with a piece of white cloth tied around the neck, and the deceased was half-naked, wearing only blue trousers.

Tumusiime mentioned that the body was taken to Nsiika Health Center IV for a postmortem, and inquiries into the matter are ongoing.

Editor

The Bishop of the Diocese of Kigezi, Rt Rev Gaddie Akanjuna, called on Christians to emulate the Uganda Martyrs by maintaining unwavering faith in the Lord rather than relying on earthly leaders.

He made these remarks during a church service at St. Peter’s Cathedral Rugarama in the northern division of Kabale municipality. Bishop Akanjuna stressed that Christians should trust in God as their ultimate source of strength and guidance, rather than placing their trust in worldly leaders or temporal powers.

He urged Christians to remain steadfast in their beliefs, following the selflessness and unwavering faith of the Uganda Martyrs, regardless of the challenges they may encounter.

In a sermon based on Exodus 1:8, the Right Reverend Jonathan Smith, Bishop from Florida, USA, encouraged Christians to deepen their faith and trust in God, emphasizing the importance of living a life that pleases the divine.

He highlighted the critical role of parents in guiding and advising their children, stating that parents are the primary source of guidance and support for their children. Bishop Smith urged parents to be actively involved in their children’s lives, listen to their concerns, and offer necessary guidance and advice to help them face the challenges of the world.

Derrick A

Following the news aired on Boona FM on May 1, 2024, which highlighted the plight of five orphaned children in Mabungo village, Nyabitete parish, Bugangari sub-county, Rukungiri district, a group of good Samaritans led by Retired Major Fulgence Tumuhairwe from Buyanja sub-county visited the orphans Sunday morning.

The children were left behind by the late Alex Mujuni, a soldier whose home was destroyed by heavy rainfall on April 30, 2024.

Retired Major Tumuhairwe and his group delivered relief items, including maize flour, matooke, clothes, and money, to help the orphans. Major Tumuhairwe said he was moved to act after hearing the story on Boona FM, initially sending food supplies before deciding to visit the family in person. He emphasized the urgent need for assistance as the government processes their father’s pension.

Robert Tumusiime, the LC 2 chairperson of Nyabitete parish, explained that since the death of Alex Mujuni in 2019, the children have faced severe hardships, lacking basic necessities such as school fees and food. Tumusiime, who also directs a private school in the area, has been helping two of the children with their education, while the others remain at home without support. He urged authorities to step in and aid these children, expressing gratitude to Retired Major Tumuhairwe and his associates for their support.

Bridget Andiinda, the 17-year-old eldest sibling, shared with visitors and reporters that the children struggle to find food and adequate shelter. Recently, the Nyabitete parish chairperson rented a house for them after their home was destroyed by the rain. Bridget thanked the good Samaritans who have supported them since their father’s death and appealed for further assistance, particularly in building a new house and supporting their education.

Sovinah Amukwasize, a relative of the orphans, emphasized the urgency of their need for help, noting that the family’s efforts to support the children have fallen short. Major Tumuhairwe expressed deep sympathy for the children’s plight, acknowledging their father’s service as a soldier. He announced plans to cover their rent for six months while raising funds from well-wishers to construct a house for them and to follow up on their father’s pension.

Editor

Dr. Ruth Ampaire, a member of the St. Augustine Evangelization Team Ministries in Mbarara, has urged the youth to be patient and resist the temptation to seek quick riches through miracles outside the Catholic Church. She emphasized the importance of persistent prayer, hard work, and steadfastness in their Catholic faith, assuring them that success will eventually follow.

Dr. Ampaire shared these thoughts during a retreat for members of the St. Augustine Evangelization Team Ministries, held at Nyamitanga Hill in the Mbarara Archdiocese.

Dr. Bitariho Deogratius, the patron of the St. Augustine Evangelization Team Ministries in Mbarara, highlighted the organization’s reputation within the archdiocese as a key partner in spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. He noted that the organization supports young people who might be misled or drift away from the Catholic faith, helping to strengthen their understanding of the word of God and their faith, thereby fostering unity.

Sheila Ainomugisha, a youth representative, encouraged Catholic youth to join the St. Augustine Evangelization Team Ministries to positively transform their social lives and avoid temptations that may lead to crime.