Bishop Muhiirwa urges greater unity as Fort Portal Catholics launch Shs4bn Kampala project

The Bishop of Fort Portal Diocese, Dr. Robert Muhiirwa Akiiki, has called for greater unity, stronger faith and closer collaboration among Catholics from the diocese living in Kampala as they seek to advance development projects in their home diocese.
Muhiirwa made the call on September 27, 2026, while presiding over Mass to conclude his pastoral visit to the Kampala-based Fort Portal Catholic community and inaugurating the new KEJI-FODA home in Nsambya.
The occasion also marked the launch of a fundraising drive targeting Shs4 billion to support the construction of a proposed seven-storey tower on the organisation’s new plot of land in Nsambya.
“As I conclude my pastoral visit to the 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,” Muhiirwa said.
He commended the KEJI-FODA executive, led by Chaplain Fr. Frederick Tusingire and Chairperson John Alinaitwe, together with the organising committee, for what he described as a strong spirit of cooperation and unity.
The Bishop also used the occasion to challenge parents to play a greater role in nurturing their children’s Catholic faith and cultural identity.
He praised families for investing in their children’s education but urged parents not to leave matters of faith and culture entirely to schools.
“Remember that you as parents are the first teachers of these two important aspects of life, especially through your example within the family,” he said.
Bishop Muhiirwa cautioned parents against allowing their children to become disconnected from the Catholic faith or their cultural heritage, particularly their mother tongues.
He encouraged the faithful to remain connected to their home parishes in Fort Portal Diocese by keeping informed about developments in their respective parishes and providing financial, spiritual and moral support whenever possible.
He thanked members of the Kampala-based community for their continued contribution to the growth of their home diocese and parishes.
KEJI-FODA Vice Chairperson Kaahwa Yuda Tadeo thanked Bishop Muhiirwa for the pastoral visit and for inaugurating the new home.
He said the Bishop’s message had strengthened the community’s faith and renewed their determination to work together to implement the projects ahead.
The Minister of State for Gender, Labour and Social Development, Mary Kuteesa Kamuli, who was the chief guest, was represented at the function by Burahya County Member of Parliament Joseph Mugenyi.
Mugenyi thanked Bishop Muhiirwa for visiting the community and presiding over the inauguration and fundraising launch.
He urged individuals, businesses and other stakeholders to support the Shs4 billion project through financial, technical and logistical contributions.
The fundraising drive received an early boost from senior security officers drawn from the Uganda People’s Defence Forces, Uganda Police Force and Uganda Prisons Service.
The officers, who attended the event as a group, contributed Shs6 million as a start-up contribution towards the construction project.
Among those present were Maj Gen Araali Kagoro; Maj Gen Robert Muyabi, UPDF Joint Staff Finance; Maj Gen Chris Bagonza, UPDF Chief of Staff Land Forces at Bombo; Maj Gen Godwin Karugaba, UPDF Joint Staff Logistics; ASP Andrew Kaggwa, Assistant Commissioner in charge of the Uganda Police Force Flying Squad; SSP Chris Ruhunde; and Col Chris Kyanku, Commandant of the Logistics Training Institute in Jinja, among others.
KEJI-FODA Projects Coordinator Col. Robert Winyi commended individuals and institutions that had responded to the fundraising appeal, saying their contributions demonstrated the importance of collective responsibility in developing the diocese.
He encouraged more well-wishers and institutions to emulate the early contributors and support the project.
Other institutions that made contributions included Centenary Bank, Pearl Bank and Britania Allied Industries Ltd.
The inauguration and fundraising event brought together members of the Fort Portal Catholic community, religious leaders, business representatives, security officers and other stakeholders, all united around the proposed development project.