Bishop Muhiirwa Seeks Help as Priests’ Medical Costs Hit 600 Million

The Bishop of Fort Portal, Rt. Rev. Robert K. Muhiirwa Akiiki, is appealing for financial support to help the Diocese meet mounting medical expenses for its priests.

Addressing mourners yesterday during Fr Nganzi ‘s funeral Mass at Virika Cathedral in Fort Portal City, Bishop Muhiirwa revealed that the Diocese currently owes approximately 600 million shillings to various hospitals,  attributing the financial burden to the increasing number of priests suffering from chronic illnesses such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and cancer conditions that are costly to treat.

The Bishop also noted that the Diocese has, in less than a year, lost several priests to related illnesses.

Jubilee radio, has learned that in the said period, the Diocese has buried priests including Msgr .Peter Kumaraki Araali, who passed away on February 22, 2026, at Nsambya Hospital at the age of 77 after battling high blood pressure, diabetes, and cancer,  Fr. Josaphat Isingoma Amooti, who died on November 22, 2025, at the age of 68 at Nsambya Hospital following a long struggle with high blood pressure, diabetes, and cancer, Rev. Fr. Wilfred Mwesige Eribankya also succumbed to diabetes and high blood pressure on November 3, 2024, at Nsambya Hospital at the age of 72 and the most recent loss is Rev. Fr. Bernadine Nganzi Amooti, who passed away on April 4th 2026at the age of 68 after battling high blood pressure, diabetes, and cancer.

Bishop Muhiirwa further revealed that other priests, including Fr. Joseph Kalenzi Ateenyi, are currently undergoing costly medical treatment.

It’s from this background that the bishop called on well-wishers to offer both prayers and financial support to help the Diocese manage these urgent healthcare costs.

His Lordship Muhiirwa, at the same time, urged priests to take greater care of their health by regularly going for medical check-ups, by utilizing the priests’ medical insurance scheme, and seeking early treatment before conditions worsen.