By Tugume Muzafaru
The Bishop of Kasese Diocese, Rt. Rev. Francis Aquirinus Kibira, has called on Christians to embrace peace, kindness and spiritual growth as a pathway to unity and community development.
Bishop Kibira made the remarks during a special Mass and fundraising drive aimed at raising Shs4.5 billion to support victims of the June 2026 Nyamugongo incident. The event, held under the theme “Christ Is Alive in You and Me,” brought together religious leaders, political figures and members of the faithful from across the region.
In his sermon, Bishop Kibira emphasized the importance of fostering peace, respect and togetherness within families and communities. He described the period of fasting as a time for reconciliation, repentance, love and forgiveness, urging Christians to abandon grudges and avoid revenge.
“Fasting is not just about abstaining from food, but about spiritual renewal, forgiveness and returning to God with a clean heart,” he said.
The Bishop encouraged believers to love and trust God as their savior, reject tribalism and hatred, and pray even for those who wrong them. He urged Christians to follow the four pillars of the Catholic Church, prayer, fasting, charity and forgiveness as a guide to living righteous and disciplined lives.
He also appealed to parents to enroll their children in religious-founded schools to nurture strong moral values and discipline from a young age.
During the event, Bishop Kibira praised Bunyaruguru Member of Parliament elect Hon. Cadet Benjamin for his continued spiritual and financial support to the Diocese. Hon. Cadet contributed Shs8 million in cash towards the fundraising drive.
The Bishop described Hon. Cadet as a dedicated leader with a compassionate heart, noting that his presence as chief guest was both a blessing and a reflection of his commitment to serving the community. He further commended the people of Bunyaruguru for electing what he termed “a visionary and capable leader.”
Bishop Kibira urged elected leaders to focus on leaving a lasting legacy through meaningful development projects that uplift communities and positively impact future generations.
