By Elijah Khisa
The Catholic church residents hailing from the Fort Portal Diocese have launched an initiative to raise Ushs 4bn for the construction of their seven storey building at Nsambya.which is their signature flagship project
The Bishop of Fort Portal Diocese Dr.Robert Muhiirwa Akiiki has commended the Catholic community residents of Kampala Entebbe, Jinja Fort Portal Diocese Association [KEJI-FODA for being hardworking Christians who cherish development.
He made the remarks 27th September 2026 during his homily mass and close of his pastoral visit to the community and inauguration of the new KEJI-FODA home at Nsambya with a fundraising initiative to raise Ushs 4bn for the construction of the proposed seven storey tower at their new plot of land at Nsambya opposite The Human Rights House.
As I conclude my pastoral visit to KEJI-FODA community I wish to express my gratitude to God and all of you for the warm welcome cooperation and fraternal spirit you have shown throughout my visit.
He particularly appreciated the good work done by the executive of KEJI-FODA under the leadership of the Chaplain Fr. Frederick Tusingire and chaiperson John Alinaitwe Amooti and Organizing Committee for the spirit of cooperation and unity that they demonstrated.
Alinaitwe said the Association was formed 34 years ago with the objectives of fostering close association,understanding, cooperation and unity among its members.
They seek to strengthen their SACCO and Benevolent FUND which are vehicles of fighting poverty amongst their families and increased investment in profitable business ventures.
The home visits he said reminds us that our Christian faith is lived not only in church but also within our families and daily lives. I pray that God may bless you and your families and grant you the desire of your hearts.
He appreciated their efforts to take children to good schools of high reputation in the country however I wish to remind you to strive to nurture your children in both faith and culture.
Remember that you as parents are the first teachers of these two important aspects of life especially through your example within the family
Do not alienate your children from the Catholic faith or from their own cultural heritage
It is unfortunate to find a young person who cannot even hold a simple conversation in his or her mother tongue when they come to the rural communities.
Dear parents do not fail your children in this regard help them to know appropriate and live their faith while at the same time teaching them and helping them to appreciate their own cultures and this is a responsibility that you cannot delegate entirely to teachers at school as the school compliments what you begin and nurture at home.
He encouraged all of them to remain connected to their home parishes in Fort Portal Diocese y keeping themselves informed about what happens in their respective parishes and give the necessary support whenever and wherever you can.
He commended them for their respective financial, spiritual and moral support to their home Diocese and parishes which efforts are highly appreciated.
The vice chairperson of KEJI-FODA Kaahwa Yuda Tadeo separately appreciated the gesture accorded to them as a United congregation hailing from Fort Portal Catholic Diocese by their respectful Bishop Muhiirwa Akiiki saying his homily mass message strengthened their spirits and faith on which they would build on to implement the set project ahead of them.
The minister of state for gender labour and social development Mary Kuteesa Kamuli who was chief guest but represented by the member of Parliament for Burahya County Kabarole District Joseph Mugenyi thanked the Bishop for the pastoral visit and presiding over the Inuaguration ceremony for the new home at Nsambya and launching the fundraising drive to raise Ushs 4bn for the construction works for their Diocese signature flagship project saying all stakeholders should support through donations both technical and logistical.
The function was attended by over a dozen security officers drawn from the UPDF, Uganda Police Force Uganda Prisons who collectively donated Ushs 6m as Stert up contribution towards the construction project.
Col Robert Winyi the KEJI-FODA projects coordinator commended the persons and institutions for coming together and making humble donations towards the construction works saying others should emulate them for the good and pride of their Diocese.
They included Maj Gen, Araali Kagoro, Maj Gen Robert Muyabi UPDF joint staff finance Maj.Gen. Chris Bagonza UPDF chief of staff land forces Headquarters Bombo Maj Gen Godwin Karugaba UPDF joint staff logistics ,ASP Andrew Kaggwa assistant commissioner flying squad Uganda police force SSP Chris Ruhunde National environmental management authority [NEMA] Uganda police force operations chief Col Chris Kyanku commandant logistics training institute Jinja, among others.
Donations were made by Centenary Bank Pearl bank, Britania allied industries Ltd
