A spirit of faith, gratitude, and community development filled Kizurugo Village in Magambo Sub-county, Rubirizi District, as the family and friends of Vincent Bamugaya contributed Shs75 million towards the construction of Rugazi Catholic Parish.
The contribution was announced during a thanksgiving Mass held on Easter Monday, an annual tradition observed by Mr. Bamugaya and his family. The ceremony brought together relatives, friends, and members of the Ndekye Catholic community, with a shared goal of raising funds to support the expansion of the parish.
Mr. Bamugaya, who serves as Director of Economic Monitoring and Research in the Office of the President, said the Easter gathering is rooted in gratitude to God for life, family, and achievements. He explained that the annual thanksgiving is not only about celebrating blessings but also acknowledging challenges and seeking divine guidance.
He emphasized that true gratitude goes beyond prosperity, urging Christians to remain faithful regardless of circumstances. He also praised the Church for its role in promoting unity, discipline, and peace within society, pledging continued support towards protecting and expanding places of worship.
His wife, Rosebel Akiki Kwesiga, called on believers to always remember God in both good and difficult times. She urged parents to instill strong values in their children, equip them with practical skills, and nurture them with love so they grow into responsible and God-fearing citizens.
She further encouraged families to work hard to improve household incomes and uplift their livelihoods, noting that the Church remains central in shaping moral and spiritual development within communities.
Delivering his sermon, the Parish Priest of Rugazi Catholic Parish, Alphonse Mukundane, expressed deep appreciation to the Bamugaya family for their generosity and unwavering support to the Church. He underscored the importance of giving back to God, describing it as a source of both spiritual blessings and community transformation.
Fr. Mukundane highlighted the family’s broader contributions, including efforts in poverty alleviation through distribution of livestock and promotion of commercial agriculture among households. He urged residents to emulate such generosity and sustain the positive impact within the community.
He revealed that plans are underway to construct a new church structure estimated to cost over Shs4 billion, citing the growing number of faithful and the deteriorating state of the current building. Rugazi Catholic Parish, one of the oldest in the Mbarara Diocese established in 1903, is now in urgent need of expansion and modernization.
The Bamugaya family was widely commended for their commitment to faith and their continued efforts to improve the welfare of communities without discrimination
