Museveni Urges Church-Government Partnership as Gubazire Takes Over Kabale Diocese

What the report says

President Yoweri Museveni has called on the Catholic Church to work more closely with government in driving socio-economic transformation, as Bonaventure Bosco Gubazire was ordained and installed as the fifth bishop of Kabale Diocese. According to Nile Post, Museveni’s message was delivered on Saturday by Finance Minister Henry Musasizi during the ceremony at St Ignatius University Kabale grounds, where thousands of faithful, clergy, officials and political leaders gathered.

The President praised the Church for its role in community development and said religious leaders can help promote wealth creation, skills training and youth empowerment. He framed the Church-government relationship as part of a long-running effort to improve livelihoods and encourage development at the grassroots level. The publication reported that he urged religious institutions to support job creation and efforts to change attitudes toward economic progress.

Gubazire succeeds Rt Rev Callistus Rubaramira, who led the diocese for 23 years before retirement. Gubazire was appointed by Pope Leo XIV on July 15, 2026, and had previously served as rector of St Martin of Tours Formation House in Ejisu, Ghana. The ordination marked a leadership transition for Kabale Diocese, which serves several districts in southwestern Uganda.

Nile Post also reported that Health Minister Chris Baryomunsi used the occasion to urge religious leaders to help fight HIV, especially in the Kigezi region, where he said prevalence remains among the highest in the country. More broadly, the event highlighted the Church’s continuing influence in public life and development discussions in Uganda.