The Catholic Church in the Rwenzori sub-region is set to receive 18 new ministers following the publication of ordination banns for both Kasese and Fort Portal dioceses.
According to separate official communications from the respective diocesan heads, a total of 11 deacons will be elevated to the priesthood, while seven seminarians are scheduled to be ordained deacons.
In Kasese Diocese, the Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Francis Aquirinus Kibira, announced that five deacons will be ordained priests, while three seminarians will be elevated to the diaconate order.
The ordination ceremony for Kasese is scheduled to take place on June 27, 2026.
According to the circular from Kasese dated June 5, the candidates for priesthood include Deacons David Bwambale (Kitabu Parish), Robert Bwambale Mathande (Kasanga Parish), Rordrick Asaba (Ibanda Parish), Russiano Mbusa (Kyalhumba Parish), and Gidio Bwambale, a member of the Missionaries of the Blessed Sacrament from Nsenyi Parish.
Those to be ordained deacons in Kasese are Seminarians Daniel Kule (Kyalhumba Parish), Isaac Ndungu (Nsenyi Parish), and Jockim Sikahwa Thembo (Ibanda Parish).
Bishop Kibira noted that public announcements for the Kasese candidates are to be made on June 7, June 14, and June 21, 2026.
“If anybody knows any impediments or circumstances that would prevent these candidates from receiving Sacred Orders, he/she should contact the Parish Priest or Bishop’s office as soon as possible,” the Bishops stated
Meanwhile, in the neighboring Fort Portal Catholic Diocese, the Ordinary, the Rt. Rev. Robert K. Muhiirwa, has slated their ordination mass for Saturday, August 1, 2026, at Virika Cathedral.
Fort Portal will ordain six priests and four deacons. The future priests include Deacons Ajuna Onesmus (Kanyamukale), Mugisa Wilfred (Wekomiire), Tumwebaze Tom (Butunduuzi), Tukahiirwa Ronald (Kitagwenda), Binta Alexandria Mzee (Yerya), and Tushabe Derrick (Kahunge).
The seminarians bound for the diaconate in Fort Portal are Musiime Vincent (Katoosa), Kaijuka Simon Peter (Iborooga), Kayonga Henry (Yerya), and Kato Robert (Katoosa).
In line with Canon Law (CIC 1051 §2), both bishops have directed the lay faithful to report any canonical impediments or circumstances that would prevent the candidates from receiving the Sacred Orders.
“If anybody knows any impediments or circumstances that would prevent these candidates from receiving Sacred Orders, he/she should contact the Parish Priest or Bishop’s office as soon as possible,” Bishop Muhiirwa stated in his June 8 letter.
The prelates also urged Christians to pray for the candidates as they prepare to take on their lifelong pastoral duties to serve God and the faithful with commitment. Parish priests in both jurisdictions have been instructed to read out the names in their respective parishes and outstations ahead of the ordination dates.
