EDITOR
Kabale | 5 January 20The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) Tarehe Sita team, led by the Joint Staff Political Commissariat, Maj Gen (Hon.) Henry Masiko, has paid a courtesy visit to the Bishop of Kabale Diocese, Rt. Rev. Callist Rubaramira, reaffirming the strong partnership between the military and faith-based institutions in promoting peace and development.
The meeting, held at the Kabale Diocesan headquarters, highlighted the important role of the Church in offering moral guidance, fostering social development, and strengthening national unity.
Speaking during the engagement, Maj Gen Masiko underscored the UPDF’s appreciation of the Church’s contribution to nation-building, noting that its moral authority and grassroots structures play a vital role in nurturing patriotism and cohesion within communities.
“The UPDF highly values its longstanding partnership with the Church, whose influence remains critical in guiding communities and supporting national development,” Maj Gen Masiko said.
He commended Bishop Rubaramira for his visionary leadership, particularly through the Bishop Annual Appeal Fund (BAAF), which has supported a wide range of development initiatives across Kabale Diocese.
“The Bishop Annual Appeal Fund is a transformative and sustainable model for development. It has strengthened self-reliance at parish level and addressed key needs in education, health, livelihoods, and social welfare,” he noted.
Maj Gen Masiko also appreciated the Bishop for mobilising religious leaders to participate in a recent three-day ideological training symposium that brought together leaders from different denominations.
“Such forums provide an important platform for dialogue on national values, patriotism, and socio-economic transformation, which are essential for nation-building,” he added.
Looking ahead to the general elections scheduled for 15 January 2026, Maj Gen Masiko appealed to the Catholic Church to continue guiding citizens towards peaceful, responsible, and non-violent participation.
“We call upon the Church to continue discouraging election-related violence and divisive language that could undermine national unity,” he said.
In his response, Bishop Rubaramira thanked the UPDF for the courtesy visit and reaffirmed the Church’s commitment to peacebuilding and community empowerment.
He explained that the Diocese has prioritised taking development to the grassroots, with a renewed focus on parish-level projects funded through the Bishop Annual Appeal Fund.
“For 2025, we resolved to concentrate development efforts at the parish level. Funds raised through the Bishop’s Annual Appeal Fund are now directed towards projects that empower communities, with neighbouring parishes supporting shared development priorities,” the Bishop said.
He noted that the approach aims to promote self-reliance and wealth creation, particularly through agriculture and other community-based initiatives.
Bishop Rubaramira welcomed collaboration with the UPDF under the Tarehe Sita programme, saying such partnerships are key to promoting mindset change, national consciousness, and sustainable development.
He also expressed appreciation to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for supporting infrastructure development projects within Kabale Diocese.
The visit concluded with both the UPDF and Kabale Diocese reaffirming their commitment to continued collaboration in advancing peace, unity, and prosperity for the people of Uganda.
Maj Gen Masiko was accompanied by senior UPDF officers, including Maj Gen Ambrose Musinguzi, Joint Staff Health Services; Brig Gen Gerald Ahimbisibwe, Deputy Joint Staff Human Resource Management; Brig Gen Johnson Niwamanya, Head of Research at the National Defence College–Uganda; Lt Col Evelyn Asimwe; Lt Col (Rtd) Vincent Bakarweha; and Maj Kiconco Tabaro, Public Information Officer, 2 Infantry Division.
