Kabale Diocese will on Saturday, August 22, 2026, hold a historic threefold celebration at Our Lady of Good Shepherd Rushoroza Cathedral, bringing together the Diocese’s Diamond Jubilee, annual Thanksgiving Day and the ordination of 13 priests and 10 deacons.
The celebration, which begins at 10:30 a.m., is expected to attract thousands of Catholic faithful, clergy, religious leaders, pilgrims, friends, well-wishers and invited guests from across the Diocese and beyond.
The event will mark 60 years since the establishment of Kabale Diocese in 1966 and is expected to become one of the largest ecclesial gatherings in the history of the Diocese.
A Celebration of 60 Years of Faith
The Diamond Jubilee will provide an opportunity for Christians to reflect on and give thanks for six decades of God’s faithfulness and blessings to Kabale Diocese.
Since its establishment on April 17, 1966, the Diocese has registered significant growth in evangelisation, priestly and religious vocations, education, healthcare, pastoral ministry and social development.
The celebrations will also honour the contribution of priests, religious, catechists and lay faithful who have dedicated their lives to proclaiming the Gospel and building Christian communities across the Kigezi region.
The Diocese will also pay tribute to the bishops who have shepherded its faithful over the past six decades, including Rt. Rev. Gervase Nkalanga (1966–1969), Rt. Rev. Barnabas Halem’Imana (1969–1994), Rt. Rev. Robert Mary Gay (1996–2003) and Rt. Rev. Callist Rubaramira, who served from 2003 until his retirement on July 15, 2026, after reaching the canonical retirement age.
Following Bishop Rubaramira’s retirement, Pope Leo XIV appointed Msgr. Bonaventure Bosco Gubazire, M.Afr., as the fifth Bishop of Kabale Diocese. Bishop Rubaramira is currently serving as Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese until the bishop-elect takes canonical possession.
The Jubilee will therefore serve as a moment of thanksgiving for the Diocese’s rich spiritual heritage while renewing its commitment to continuing Christ’s mission with hope and renewed zeal.
Thanksgiving for God’s Blessings
The celebration will also serve as the annual Kabale Diocesan Thanksgiving Day, during which the faithful will unite to thank God for the blessings received throughout the year.
Families, parishes, institutions, movements and individuals are expected to participate in the thanksgiving, recognising God’s providence while supporting the continued pastoral mission of the Diocese.
The Director of Social Communications Commission, Salivino Mubangizi says the thanksgiving is a visible expression of faith, stewardship and communion, reminding the faithful of the importance of gratitude and collective responsibility in the life of the Church.
13 Priests and 10 Deacons to Be Ordained
The highlight of the celebration will be the ordination of 13 candidates to the priesthood and 10 candidates to the diaconate.
Through the laying on of hands and the prayer of consecration, the candidates will dedicate themselves to serving the Church and the People of God.
The newly ordained priests will be entrusted with celebrating the Holy Eucharist, administering the Sacraments, preaching the Gospel and shepherding the faithful.
The new deacons will begin their sacred ministry of service by assisting at the altar, proclaiming the Gospel, preaching the Word of God and ministering to those in need as they prepare for priestly ministry.
“The ordinations are also expected to highlight the continued growth of vocations within Kabale Diocese and offer hope for the future of the local Church”. Mubangizi said
Candidates for Priesthood
The 13 candidates to be ordained priests are:
- Rev. Dn. Adon Aturinde — Queen of Martyrs, Nyakishenyi Parish
- Rev. Dn. Cyril Arthur Ayebazibwe — St. Barnabas Karujanga Parish
- Rev. Dn. Deusdedit Niwagaba — Our Lady of Good Shepherd, Rushoroza Cathedral Parish
- Rev. Dn. Ivan Ndamira — St. Mary’s Mutolere Parish
- Rev. Dn. Justus Turyatunga — Immaculate Heart of Mary, Rubanda Parish
- Rev. Dn. Sostine Mugisha — Our Lady of Lourdes, Muko Parish
- Rev. Dn. Syrus Aharizira — Our Lady of Fatima, Makiro Parish
- Rev. Dn. Anakeleti Maridadi, AJ — St. Augustine Rutenga Parish
- Rev. Dn. Prosper Turihamwe, AJ — St. Peter’s Muchahi Parish
- Rev. Dn. Sosteni Turyasingura, AJ — Immaculate Heart of Mary, Rubanda Parish
- Rev. Dn. Tom Twinomujuni, AJ — St. Luke Muhanga Parish
- Rev. Dn. Venansio Twesigye, AJ — Our Lady of Africa, Rwengiri Parish
- Rev. Dn. John Bosco Magezi, M.Afr. — Immaculate Heart of Mary, Rubanda Parish
Candidates for the Diaconate
The 10 candidates to be ordained deacons are:
- Sem. David Niwayinamani — Rubanda Parish
- Sem. Demian Ampureire — Rwengiri Parish
- Sem. Derrick Matsiko — Nyakibale Parish
- Sem. Gerald Nsengiyunva — Sooko Parish
- Sem. Godwine Ainembabazi — Kyanamira Parish
- Sem. Ivan Byamugisha — Rutooma Parish
- Sem. James Byomuhangi — Muko Parish
- Sem. John Borris Nahamya — Nyakibale Parish
- Sem. Moses Niwahereza — Kambuga Parish
- Sem. Pius Orinshemeza — Nyarushanje Parish.
