By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
MBARARA
Mbarara catholic archdiocese has put forward thirty two (32) candidates for public scrutiny ahead of their ordination as priests and deacons. Among the candidates, fifteen deacons are expected to be ordained as priests, while the remaining seventeen hope to become deacons.
The 15 deacons set to be ordained as priests are; Arinaitwe Aventino from Birunduma parish, Atwijukire Ronald from Katukuru, Atugumya Moses from Kagamba, Baguma Alex and Bashaba David, Tibingana David from Rubindi, Bikorwaruhanga Gilbert from Kashekuuro, Mibangizi Max and Nuwagaba Innocent from Rugazi, Mibangizi Nicholas from Ryakahimbi, Mucunguzi Emmanuel from Bihanga, Trust Ambrose from Uganda Martyrs, Turyamureba Lawrence from Kyabwayera, Kananura Collines (M Africa) from Bubaare and Rukundo Evaristo from Ngarama parish. 
The seventeen seminarians who will be ordained as deacons include Bonivanture Natweta from Nyakishojwa Parish, Mugumya John Kitabi, Nagasha Erasmus from Kishariro, Atwiine Gilbert from Rwentunda, Tugumisirize Emmanuel from Kabuyanda and Sunday Steven from Butare among others.
In a circular dated Saturday, June 20th, 2024, Rev. Fr Mukasa Balikuddembe, the Diocesan Chancellor of Mbarara Archdiocese, directed that ordination banns for the candidates to be announced to the faithful as required by the Canon Law 1043.
“Christ’s faithful are bound to reveal, before ordination, to the ordinary or to the parish priets such impendments to sacred orders as they may know,” read a circular in parts.
The circular further requested that all Parish Priests, administrators, Chaplains, and rectors provide a written report on the outcome of the banns’ publications no later than July 29th, 2024.
“Whether the report is positive or negative, the parish priest or the priest in charge is under obligation to submit them to the Archbishop’s office without fail,” said Fr. Mukasa Balikuddembe in a circular.
Catholics are obliged to reveal any impediment or circumstances that would prevent the candidates from receiving Sacred orders. The Catholic Church recognizes ten impediments or irregularities, in accordance with Catholic Canon Law, that may prevent a candidate from being ordained as a priest or deacon. These include a history of mental illness in the family, physical incapacity to perform the church’s rites, public and notorious schism or previous rejection of the faith, attempted marriage, involvement in abortion or murder, attempted suicide, self-mutilation, or mutilation of others, and attempting to perform priestly acts without proper ordination.
The ordination ceremony has been scheduled to take place on 17th August, 2024 at Our Lady of Perpetual Light Nyamitanga Cathedral Mbarara except for Nuwagaba Innocent and Mibangizi Max which will take place on 8th September, 2024 at Rugazi parish.
Two candidates belonging to the Missionary Society of the Missionaries of Africa (White Fathers) namely Rev. Dn. Collines Kananura and Rev. Dn. Evaristo Rukundo will also be ordained priests.
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ, Philippians 1:6-7. Congratulations 👏
