Just about 42 days to the 3rd June Martyr’s day, a delegation of eminent members of Fort Portal Catholic diocese have met with President Museveni to discuss matters of martyr’s day preparations, developmental and vocational projects within the diocese.
Meeting in Rwakitura
The meeting, took place at the President’s country home in Rwakitura as confirmed from Museveni’s twitter handle. Distinguished leaders from Kabarole led by the Minister of Tourism, Col. Tom Butime included Bishop Robert Muhiirwa the ordinary of Fort Portal diocese, Hon. Alex Ruhunda Mp Fort Portal city, Hon. Frank Tumwebaze, Msgr Isiah Mayombo among others.
I met a delegation of eminent members of the Fort Portal Catholic Diocese at my country home in Rwakitura. As the animating team of the 3rd June Martyrs’ Day Celebrations, they briefed me on their preparations and we as well discussed developmental and vocational projects. pic.twitter.com/WGFw34refS
— Yoweri K Museveni (@KagutaMuseveni) April 20, 2022
The Uganda Episcopal Conference selected Fort Portal Diocese to spearhead the preparations for 2022 Martyr’s Day and the diocese had reportedly last led the celebrations 25 years Ago.
According to Bishop Muhiirwa, the Diocese came up with a working budget of approximately one billion shillings to prepare for the celebrations, but money has continuously come in slowly compared to the limited time they have had to prepare.
Virika cathedral seeks renovation
The other pertinent issue discussed according to the Bishop is the cathedral’s roof, which requires renovation. He added that the roof of the cathedral has in the last two years developed serious leakages that it can no longer be used during rainy season .
This according to the engineers, it requires about X2bn to fully renovate the roof permanently, since it has at least been renovated twice since its construction.
currently, about 800 million has so far been secured of the renovation fund.
Speaking to the delegation and responding to their concerns, President Museveni pledged one billion shillings towards both preparations for Martyrs Day and roofing of the cathedral.
Other developmental projects
He addressed their concern on possibility of them growing more tea and coffee in the area, President Museveni promised to buy for them three tractors and one truck so that they can mobilize people to enter into the money economy and improve productivity of this particular agricultural sector.
Notably, the Fort Portal diocese owns a tea project in Kyakatara, which is also a major source of income to the diocese.
Col. Butime, revealed that Namugongo Catholic and Protestant shrines are big tourist sites that need support and promotion to be able to attract both local, regional and international tourists. He revealed that these places have the potential to compete with places like Vatican and Mecca if they are supported and promoted well.
Bishop Muhiirwa in the meeting, requested President Museveni to be the Chief Guest for this year’s Martyr’s Day celebration at Namugongo, which invitation the President consented.
The Bishop commended the President and the Government for the tremendous programs aimed at helping Ugandans improve their household incomes, like the Emyooga program and Parish Development Model (PDM) adding that citizens are well engaged in for development.
Mean while the Office Of Prime Minister (OPM) recently approved the open celebration, but requested that people strictly observe the possible standard operating procedures noting that Covid -19 is still in existence.
