Sheema's Mushanga Parish ended a 27-year hiatus without a diocesan priest on September 26, 2023, when Rev. Fr. Marius Akoromwiguru and Rev. Fr. Felix Twinomugisha were ordained at Our Lady of the Rosary Parish. The ceremony, presided over by Archbishop of Mbarara Lambert Bainomugisha, marked the first priestly ordinations in the parish since 1999, according to Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Genesio Nuwagira. Hundreds gathered for the liturgy, which coincided with the parish’s 80th anniversary celebrations, highlighting the community’s spiritual renewal and dedication to the Catholic faith.
Rev. Fr. Nuwagira emphasized the significance of the event, stating, “For 27 years, Mushanga Parish prayed and waited to offer sons from our local altar to the ministerial priesthood.” He credited the parish’s faithful and the broader Christian community for their sustained support. Archbishop Bainomugisha, in his homily, urged the newly ordained priests to “shepherd their flock with humility” and maintain “high moral standards,” warning against “immoral acts” and stressing their covenant with God through service. The archbishop also called on congregants to continue supporting priests through prayer and active participation in church activities.
The ordination ceremony drew attendees from Sheema Municipality and neighboring districts, including religious leaders and local officials. Community leaders acknowledged the Catholic Church’s role in education, moral guidance, and development in the region. Both newly ordained priests expressed gratitude to their families, formators, and the Mushanga Christian community for nurturing their vocations. Following ordination, Fr. Akoromwiguru was assigned to Butare Parish in Buhweju, while Fr. Twinomugisha was posted to Nyakyeera Parish in Ntungamo, both within the Archdiocese of Mbarara. Their pastoral assignments are set to begin in their respective parishes, signaling renewed spiritual leadership for the region.
The milestone underscores the Archdiocese of Mbarara’s efforts to replenish its clergy and strengthen parish outreach. The ordination also reflects the enduring commitment of local communities to religious vocations, despite challenges such as declining priestly numbers in Uganda’s Catholic Church. As Mushanga Parish rejoices in its renewed spiritual vitality, the event serves as a beacon of hope for young men considering religious service, according to parish officials.