Photo: A Section of Holy Childhood Missionaries Pose For a Photo With Bishop Muhiirwa of Fort Portal Catholic Diocese Shortly After Mass at Virika Cathedral on July 13, 2025
A total of 1,360 children and 180 animators have participated in this year’s International Celebration of Missionary Childhood Day held at Virika Cathedral.
Traditionally observed in Uganda on the second Sunday of July, the Fort Portal Diocese elevated the event by organizing a three-day celebration that brought together Holy Childhood Missionaries from 33 Parishes our of its 36 parishes.
The celebrations began on Friday at Sts. Peter and Paul Primary School, where the children showcased their talents through Music, Dance, and Drama competitions, centered on the theme: “Children are Sowers of Hope” (Mark 4:3).
Children helping children
In his homily, yesterday at the Mass to finalize the celebrations, Bishop Robert K. Muhiirwa Akiiki encouraged the children to recognize themselves as children of God and to actively sow seeds of hope. He urged them to embrace the sacraments, invite their peers to church, assist their parents at home, and show responsibility in daily life.
Bishop Muhiirwa, also cautioned the children against influences that separate them away from God’s love, such as sin, laziness, and peer pressure that sets for them bad examples. He called on them to uphold their mission motto: “Children Helping Children,” through love for Christ and for one another, and their animators to be exemplary to them.
Miss Angella Namugenyi, the National Secretary for the Holy Childhood Mission, commended Fort Portal Diocese for its exemplary approach in organizing an extended celebration, unlike other dioceses that mark only the main day. She hailed the children’s creativity and thematic expressions through original compositions, drama, and traditional dance.
Namugenyi, however encouraged uniformity in dress code across parishes and suggested that animators should adopt a uniform attire in line with what is affordable to their budget.
Children hail the movement
Representing the children, Christopher Murungi from Kigarama Parish expressed gratitude to the animators, testifying how the movement has helped instill a spirit of mutual support among fellow children through utilizing the available resources to support children in babies homes, utilizing sacraments such as Penance and Eucharist, and nurtured them in responsibility both at home and in church.
He called on parents to entrust their children to the Church, some thing that will enable them to become sowers of hope across the world.
Rev. Fr. Joachim Kasujja, Director Pontifical Mission Societies in Fort Portal Diocese, thanked parents and animators for their support and formation of the children as evidenced by their orderly participation. He also appreciated the Diocesan Treasury, led by Fr Tadius Musabe, for funding the celebration, not forgetting Bishop Muhiirwa for his ongoing support of the movement’s mission.
