KABALE: Delegates from 19 Catholic Dioceses across Uganda have convened at the Kabale Diocese headquarters, under the Mbarara Ecclesiastical Province, to celebrate the 15th National Caritas Week under the theme: “Caritas Empower Communities: For I was hungry and you gave me food” (Matthew 25:35).
The event was officially launched by Rt. Rev. Serverus Jjumba, Bishop of Masaka Diocese and President of Caritas Uganda with an Eucharistic celebration at Our Lady of Good Shepherd – Rushoroza Cathedral in Kabale Municipality on Wednesday.
During the opening remarks at Rushoroza Pastoral Centre, the host bishop, Rt. Rev. Callist Rubaramira of Kabale Diocese, urged Caritas leaders from all 19 dioceses to reflect on the organization’s origins as a department of social development, and to re-evaluate its current emphasis on charity.
Bishop Rubaramira raised concerns about the long-term sustainability of continual aid without equipping communities to be self-reliant. He stressed that social development should take precedence over one-time charitable acts.
“Caritas began as a department of social development, but over time, the focus has shifted more toward charity,” he noted, urging Caritas Uganda’s National Director, Rev. Fr. Hillary Muheezangango, to initiate an internal evaluation.
He emphasized that lasting change requires empowering communities with tools to address poverty independently, particularly in light of rising poverty levels in Uganda.
Citing statistics from the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), Bishop Rubaramira noted that poverty in the Kigezi region stands at 27.3%. He warned that dependency on foreign aid is unsustainable especially as global donor support, such as USAID funding, continues to decline.
“Communities must be encouraged to become donors themselves. We must create a culture where locals feel responsible and capable of supporting their own development,” he said.
CUE BISHOP RUBARAMIRA……..ON THE CALL……ENG//
Bishop Jjumba echoed these sentiments, calling on Caritas to “walk the talk” by ensuring its efforts promote human dignity. He emphasized the need for community-centered strategic planning that fosters ownership and continuity of development programs.
He also commended Caritas Uganda for establishing women’s desks in each diocese, which he said have empowered women to start income-generating initiatives that support their families.
CUE IN BISHOP JJUMBA……ON THE MATTER……ENG//
Delivering the keynote address, Msgr. John Vianney Sunday, the Vicar General of Kabale Diocese, urged Caritas leaders to focus on imparting practical skills. He called for efforts to:
- Train communities in modern agricultural techniques
- Promote financial literacy and investment culture
- Revive traditional food storage and environmental conservation methods
- Establish structured organizational systems from diocesan level down to basic Christian communities and family-level initiatives
- Form Caritas Clubs to promote grassroots development
CUE IN MSGR VIANNEY……ON THE CALL……ENG//
Rev. Fr. Hillary Muheezangango, the National Director of Caritas Uganda, highlighted that National Caritas Week celebrations rotate among dioceses annually, and this year marks the 15th celebration since the event’s inception in 2000.
He reiterated that the 2025 theme focuses on human dignity through empowerment and self-reliance. “It is a call to action,” he said. “With donor funding on the decline, we must focus on sustainability, collaboration with local and international partners, and building emergency reserves.”
The Source Reports.
We come to you.
Want to send us a story or have an opinion to share? Send an email to [email protected] or WhatsApp on +256742996036.
