NATIONAL
Popular religious writer and greater Bushenyi Correspondent to Parrots Media’s Online Newspaper (Parrots UG), Bernard Ngabirano has graduated at Valley University of Science and Technology, in Bushenyi.
Ngabirano also known as Sem Ben is an ex-seminerian in the Catholic church which gives him better understanding of the essential and ancient elements of the Catholic church traditions, monastic communities while reporting on religious activities.
Born in Mayanga sub-county (curved from greater Kabira) Ngabirano holds Bachelors of Philosophy from Pontifical Urbanian University – Rome (2019) and Diloma in Philosophy & Social Sciences from Alokolum National Major Seminary-Gulu (2018).
In 2019, he left seminary (St. Mary’s National Seminary Ggaba) to pursue a career in Agriculture where his passion hid. Its here that he landed a freelancer job at Parrots Media and has worked on several assignments ranging from academic reports to reporting on religion.
The Ex – Seminarian graduated with Bachelors of Agribusiness
Management & Rural Development, he hopes to use his new profession to shape another generation of youthful farmers in the country.
“I Will encourage agriculture in the community. By the course l have done. Agriculture and farming have been underlooked and abandoned to the elderly but, with this qualification I am to change mindsets through actions and realities,” Ngabirano explained
Although discerning a vocation to the priesthood or religious life can seem a daunting thing, accompanied by feelings of being unworthy to such an individual, Ngabirano doesn’t regret his decision to quit.
“Am grateful for having passed through seminary formation, this has shaped my spiritual growth and strengthened my faith as well as influencing my life’s decisions,” the Ex seminarian said
He sat for his PLE exams at Rukungiri Kindergarten Primary
School in 2007 and he was admitted to St. Charles Lwanga Seminary – Nyakibaale (2011). It is here that he started a vocation journey. In 2012, he joined St. Jerome Secondary School – Ndama (UACE-2013) thereafter he joined Alokolum Seminary for a vocation to priesthood that would later turn in to an evasion.
The founder of Parrots Media, journalist Leonard Kamugisha Akida has hailed Ngabirano’d braveness to face life without fear or pains.
“I knew about Ben in my 2nd year at a University through a Seminerian friend, Sem. Nicholas Mubangizi then at Katigondo. Ben was at Alokolum Gulu but we shared same local parish. We have since become friends, seen days together as my spiritual guide and now as a colleague at Parrots UG. His courage is undefined and I’m optimistic that in this new journey, he still shall rise and shine. Congratulations Ben,” he said.
Ngabirano graduation has followed in the footsteps of other reporters to secure careers at Parrots Media and in the outside job markets. Reporters Kabuye Muawiya, Hafusa Nabagala graduated from Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU) Bachelors of Journalism last week. Other staff like Stephen Gonzaga, Hillary Asasiira and David Ijjo have also graduated from IUIU and UCU, respectively, in the last one year.
Over 170 graduates were passed at the VUST 3rd graduation ceremony held at the University grounds in Bushenyi on January 28. These have been awarded Certificates, Diplomas and Bachelors in various academic disciplines.
