St Francis of Assisi Kyanamira Catholic Parish in Kabale District has launched a Shs16 million fundraising drive to construct a grotto dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary as the parish marked its first anniversary.
The fundraising was announced on Friday during celebrations to mark the parish’s first anniversary and the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The thanksgiving Mass was presided over by Msgr Sunday John Vianney, the Episcopal Delegate of Kabale Diocese.
Parish Council chairman Arigye Oddo said the proposed grotto is expected to attract pilgrims from across the country and strengthen the parish’s role as a centre of prayer and pilgrimage.
The parish was inaugurated by the Bishop of Kabale Diocese, Rt Rev Callist Rubaramira, on August 10, 2025, and is under the pastoral care of the Missionaries of Africa.
Mr Oddo said the parish had registered several achievements in its first year, including renovating the church, supporting and supervising schools in the parish, renovating buildings at Kyanamira Primary School and confirming more than 360 Christians into the Catholic faith.
He said the parish is also planning to construct a perimeter wall around the priests’ residence and establish income-generating projects, including banana growing, zero-grazing and coffee farming.
The parish also plans to establish St Francis SACCO to promote socio-economic transformation among Christians.
Ms Kemanzi Hellen Prima Kanyamahane, the Kabale District vice chairperson, encouraged residents to embrace coffee growing, saying the crop has the potential to improve household incomes.
She also discouraged excessive planting of eucalyptus trees and urged residents to consider coffee farming as an alternative source of income.
Emulate Mary
In his homily, Msgr Vianney urged Catholics to emulate the faith, humility, holiness and commitment of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
He said Mary remained steadfast in her faith throughout her life and encouraged Christians to use the Solemnity of the Assumption to deepen their relationship with God.
“Mary demonstrated unwavering faith throughout her life,” Msgr Vianney said, urging Christians to visit holy places associated with the Blessed Mother and embrace pilgrimages as a way of strengthening their faith.
He also challenged Catholics to remain committed to their faith instead of moving from one place to another in search of people claiming to offer spiritual solutions.
Msgr Vianney said the Catholic Church has rich spiritual blessings and urged Christians to dedicate more time to prayer and following the teachings of Jesus Christ and Mary.
He cited Mary’s visit to her relative Elizabeth as an example of the importance of visiting and valuing relatives while they are still alive.
He also encouraged families to welcome Mary into their homes and seek her intercession through prayer, including praying immediately after waking up.
The priest urged Christians to regularly reflect on the blessings they have received from God and dedicate time to thanking Him.
He further encouraged the faithful to embrace spiritual practices such as praying the Rosary and keeping statues of Mary in their homes as reminders of their faith.
Msgr Vianney also called for holiness and humility, warning Christians against sin and other practices that undermine their faith.
Prepare for opportunities
The chief guest, Dr Peter Ngategize, urged Christians to remain grateful to God for His blessings, saying gratitude opens the way for further blessings.
Dr Ngategize also encouraged residents to explore economic opportunities in the region, including mineral resources such as iron ore, while urging households to embrace Hass avocado growing, piggery and banana farming.
He challenged parents and young people to prioritise education, particularly urging boys who drop out around Primary Five to strive to complete at least Primary Seven or Senior Four.
He said upcoming factories in the region would require skilled workers and urged communities to prepare themselves to benefit from emerging economic opportunities.
Parish priest Fr Armel Somda commended Christians for their cooperation with parish leaders and called for continued unity in advancing the development of the parish.
He urged Christians to use the anniversary as an opportunity to strengthen their faith and emulate the steadfastness of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
