Summary:
Rev. Fr. Dr. Musinguzi emphasized the vital role choirs play in enhancing Christian worship during liturgical celebrations.
KABALE: The chaplain for choirs in Kabale Diocese, who also serves as the Parish Priest of Our Lady of Assumption Rwanyena Parish in Ryakarimira Town Council, Ndorwa West County, Rev. Fr. Dr. Deusdedit Musinguzi, has called on choir members across the diocese to dedicate their talents to the service of God rather than seeking personal glory.
While presiding over the choir competitions at Our Lady of Assumption Rwanyena Parish grounds on Thursday, Rev. Fr. Dr. Musinguzi emphasized the vital role choirs play in enhancing Christian worship during liturgical celebrations. Quoting St. Augustine, who said, “He who sings well prays twice,” he encouraged choir members to use their singing talents with devotion and humility to serve God.
Rev. Fr. Dr. Musinguzi expressed gratitude to God for the successful presentation by the joint choirs. He thanked catechists from the outstations (hiikas) for supporting their choirs and commended choir members for their dedication and effort, which enabled them to emerge victorious at the center level.
He urged them to maintain their enthusiasm and continue striving for more vibrant liturgical celebrations.
He further explained that the choir competitions are part of the programs leading up to the parish’s diamond jubilee celebrations, set to climax in July 2025.
Rwanyena Parish comprises 40 outstations (hiikas), and the music competitions began at the muluka level (a group of hiikas within the same locality) before progressing to the center level.
The final competition, held at the parish level, featured six choirs: Rwanyena, Ryakarimira, Mumugyera, Katuna, Karujanga, and Kahungye.
Three songs were performed in the competition: “Twesiime Yaimwe Abanya Uganda Twena,” “Mwije Tutojiere Mukama,” and “Maria Ori Omuhiirwa.” At the conclusion of the event, Rwanyena emerged as the overall winner with 251 points, followed by Kahungye with 234 points, Ryakarimira with 229, Katuna with 220, Karujanga with 210, and Mumugyera with 180 points.
Boniface Byamugisha, the adjudicator of the competition, expressed his appreciation to the Parish Priest for supporting the choirs and organizing the event. He explained that the choirs were judged based on harmony, voice balance, accompaniment, word diction, facial expression, and uniformity, with each criterion allocated 20 marks.
He also commended the catechists for their continued support, the choir trainers for their dedication to rehearsals, and the choir members for their commitment and smart appearance.
As a token of appreciation and motivation, each choir was rewarded with a goat for their participation and dedication to the competition.
