FORT PORTAL
A Catholic priest in Fort Portal diocese – Mbarara Ecclesiastical Province has been suspended from all pastoral duties within the diocese over alleged misconduct, doctrinal defiance and religious schism.
The victim is Rev. Fr. Aloysius Musasizi, a member of the Congregation of the Apostles of Jesus, ordained in 2007.
According to the Fort Portal diocese Bishop, Rt. Rev. Robert Muhiirwa, the priest has been involved in activities deemed harmful to ecclesial unity.
In a letter dated March 29, Bishop Muhiirwa detailed the allegations against Fr Musasizi. The bishop’s action follows years of warnings and an internal investigation that culminated in findings presented to the Pontifical Commissary of the congregation.
Fr Musasizi is accused of conducting unauthorized Masses, some reportedly at night, and promoting teachings that contradict official Catholic doctrine. Among the contentious practices is his alleged discouragement of receiving Holy Communion in the hand or while standing, acts he is said to have branded as sacrilegious. He reportedly instructed followers to reject women as extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion and labelled instruments such as drums and public address systems in the church as satanic.
The letter alleges that the suspended priest has been distributing a controversial publication, “The Book of Truth,” which the Church considers anti-Catholic, and referred to diocesan priests as “fake.”
This according to the church, led to division and confusion in Kibeezi Church, where he resides, and other parts of Kamwenge Deanery.
Catholics in and outside the diocese have been instructed not to attend any mass or activities led by Fr Musasizi. Bishop Muhiirwa emphasized that only duly appointed parish priests are authorized to offer pastoral care.
Citing the deadly Kibwetere cult of 2000, Bishop Muhiirwa underscored the dangers of false doctrine and reiterated the Catholic priest’s duty to remain in communion with the Pope and faithful to Church teachings.
Under the decree, Fr Musasizi is barred from celebrating Mass, administering sacraments, or performing any pastoral duties within the diocese.
“Only in danger of death may he validly hear confessions, as stipulated in Canon 976,” Bishop Muhiirwa stated.
In response, Fr Musasizi acknowledged receiving word of the bishop’s decree but questioned its legitimacy. He argued that Bishop Muhiirwa lacks jurisdiction over him, as he was never assigned any role within the Fort Portal Diocese.
“Whereas it’s true that Bishop Muhiirwa ordained me, he never appointed me to any role in the diocese. He doesn’t have any jurisdiction over me. I belong to a missionary congregation with superiors in Kenya and Kampala, and my superiors have not been informed about this decision neither has he informed me formally,” Fr. Musasizi said.
The priest also denied conducting night Masses or administering sacraments at his home, challenging anyone who claims otherwise to step forward.
He also rejected claims of forming a breakaway church, clarifying that while politicians and other visitors often come to his home for prayers and blessings, these do not constitute a religious schism. He explained that he returned home temporarily to care for his late mother and had secured permission from his congregation to do so. He plans to return to the congregation’s administrative centre in Kenya by August.
Fr. Musasizi’s suspension adds up on the list of other Catholic priests that were suspended under similar allegations in Uganda. They are Rev. Fr. Charles Onen who was suspended by the Archbishop of Gulu Diocese for joining elective politics in Gulu East county (2020) and renown charismatic priest, Rev.Fr. Jacinto Kibuuka (now the Bishop of the Eastern Antioch church) at Mamre Prayer Centre – Janda Namugongo who was suspended by the late Kampala Archdiocese Archbishop Cypriano Kizito Lwanga in 2016.
