By Gilbert Akampa Kakurugu,
KABALE
Pope Leo XIV has appointed Rev. Fr. Bonaventure Bosco Gubazire, M.Afr., a member of the Missionaries of Africa (White Fathers), as the new Bishop of Kabale Diocese, ushering in a new era of leadership for Catholics in southwestern Uganda.
The announcement was made on Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Good Shepherd Rushoroza Cathedral Parish in Kabale Municipality by Rev. Fr. Georges Kwami Kouwonou, who is currently overseeing the Apostolic Nunciature in Uganda. Addressing thousands of faithful, Fr. Kouwonou also confirmed that Pope Leo XIV had accepted the resignation of Rt. Rev. Callist Rubaramira, who steps down after more than two decades of episcopal service.
Profile:
Bishop-elect Gubazire, born on March 3, 1974, in Kitumba, Kabale District, Bishop-elect went to St. Paul’s Minor Seminary, Rushoroza, before earning degrees in Philosophy and Theology from institutions in Jinja and Toulouse, France.
Over the past 20 years, he has served in diverse pastoral, academic and missionary roles across Africa, Europe and Asia. His ministry began in Mozambique, where he worked as Parochial Vicar and adult education director. He later pursued advanced studies in France, Ireland and the Philippines, earning a Doctorate in Philosophy from the University of San Carlos in Cebu.
His leadership roles include serving as Rector in Malawi and Ghana, Dean of Studies at Spiritan University College, and member of the Provincial Council of the Ghana-Nigeria Province of the Missionaries of Africa.
Legacy of Bishop Rubaramira
Outgoing Bishop Callist Rubaramira, born in 1950 in Kabale District, was ordained priest in 1975 and appointed Bishop of Kabale by Pope John Paul II in 2003. Over 23 years of episcopal ministry, he spearheaded pastoral, educational, and development initiatives that strengthened the diocese.
With his resignation now accepted, Bishop Rubaramira leaves behind a legacy of service marked by dedication to both spiritual and community development.
A New Chapter for Kabale Diocese
The appointment of Bishop-elect Gubazire signals a fresh chapter for Kabale Diocese, bringing in a leader whose extensive experience spans Mozambique, Malawi, Ghana, the Philippines, France, Ireland, and the Holy Land. His international background and academic depth are expected to enrich pastoral care and strengthen the diocese’s mission in Uganda.
