By Alice
The Bishop of Fort Portal Catholic Diocese, Rt. Rev. Dr. Robert Muhiirwa, has announced a new wave of clergy appointments, transfers and pastoral assignments aimed at strengthening pastoral ministry across the diocese.
The changes are contained in a circular for September 2026 seen by our reporter and include the first pastoral assignments of newly ordained priests and a deacon, as well as transfers involving parish priests, curates and diocesan officials.
The changes
Deacon Robert Kato has been assigned to Butiiti Parish for pastoral ministry, while newly ordained priests have been appointed as curates in different parishes.
They include Rev. Fr. Ajuna Onesmus, who has been posted to Kigaraale Parish; Fr. Mugisa Wilfred to Biguli Parish; Fr. Tumwebaze Tom to Kicwamba Parish; Fr. Tukahiirwa Ronald to Bugombwa Parish; Fr. Binta Alexandria Mzee to Katoosa Parish; and Fr. Tushabe Derrick to Kicucu Parish.
Among the major parish leadership changes, Fr. Francis Bamanyisa, formerly Parish Priest of Yerya Parish has been transferred to Butiiti Parish as Parish Priest, while Fr. Jude Kasaija, Parish Priest of Kitumbi, has been transferred to Nyakasura Parish.
Fr. Bernard Bitekerezo, formerly Parish Priest of Butiiti, has been sent for a sabbatical, while Fr. Godfrey Bamuganyira has been appointed Parish Priest of Yerya.
Fr. Christopher Mwanguhya, formerly Curate at Katoosa Parish, has been appointed Acting Parish Priest of Kitumbi, while Fr. Amanyire Joseph, formerly Curate at Kicucu Parish, will serve as Acting Parish Priest of Kicucu.
Other changes have seen Fr. John Kiiza, formerly Parish Priest of Kicucu, appointed Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies Office, commonly known as the Office of the Pope’s Missions.
Fr. Simon Mapeera, formerly Parish Priest of Nyakasura, has been appointed a teacher at St. Adolf Catechetical Training Centre in Kaihura, while Fr. Joachim Kasuja, formerly Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies, has been appointed Parish Priest-designate of Kigaraale Parish.
Several curates have also been moved to new pastoral assignments. These include Fr. Fabius Bainakanaama, from Nyakasura to Bisozi Parish; Fr. Cyril Karls Tumwesigye, from Bisozi to Nyakasura; Fr. Leo Baryabuuza, from Kicwamba to Kitagwenda; Fr. Peter Hakyizimana, from Kicucu to Kicwamba; and Fr. Bright Richard, from Kanyamukale to Butiiti.
Fr. Adolf L. Mumanzi has been transferred from Butiiti to Kanyamukale Parish, while Fr. Jacent Um’Imana will serve at Yerya Parish and also as Chaplain at Yerya DST Novitiate.
Fr. Matia Mulumba has been transferred from Hapuyo to Kyamatanga Parish, while Fr. Amanyire Richard, formerly Curate at Bukwali and Assistant Judicial Vicar, has been sent to Rome for further studies.
Other appointments include Fr. Robert Bazara, transferred from Kasule to Rwebisengo Parish; Fr. Adolf Mwesige, from Nyahuka to Katoosa; and Fr. Kwebiiha Bernard, from Kakabara Parish to serve as Chaplain at Rwibaale for DST communities, schools and the hospital, while residing at Kakabara Parish.
Fr. Vincent Sunday has been appointed to the Project Planning and Management Office and as Assistant Treasurer, while Fr. Paul Mwirumubi has moved from Kicwamba to Katoosa Parish.
Fr. David Byamukama has been appointed Parish Priest of Kijura Neema Parish after serving as Curate at Butiiti, while the former Parish Priest of Kijura Neema, Fr. Sebastian Twinomugabi, has been transferred to Butiiti as Curate.
Fr. Simon Peter Alituha has moved from Butunduzi to Bukwali Parish as Curate, while Fr. Edward Muhumuza, formerly attached to the Project Planning and Management Office and serving as Assistant Treasurer, has been appointed Chaplain of Mountains of the Moon University.
Bishop Muhiirwa has urged parish communities to warmly welcome the priests assigned to them and provide the necessary cooperation and support as they undertake their pastoral responsibilities.
The Bishop has also announced new leadership for some of the diocese’s deaneries following the creation of Wekomire and Bugombwa Deaneries and the recent clergy transfers.
Rev. Fr. Tukwasibwe Patrick has been appointed the first Dean of Bugombwa Deanery, Rev. Fr. Christopher Kankya the first Dean of Wekomire Deanery, while Fr. Titus Alitwongera has been appointed the new Dean of Virika Deanery.
The appointments and transfers take effect as directed in the September 2026 diocesan circular.