Africa-Press – Uganda. The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) Tarehe Sita team, led by the Joint Staff Political Commissariat, Major General Henry Masiko, paid a courtesy visit to the Bishop of Kabale Diocese, Rt. Rev. Callist Rubaramira, in a move aimed at strengthening collaboration between the military and faith-based institutions in national development and peace building.
The meeting, held at the Kabale Diocesan headquarters on Monday, underscored the critical role of the Church in providing moral guidance, fostering social development, and strengthening national cohesion. Discussions focused on shared values of unity, patriotism, and community empowerment.
Addressing the gathering, Masiko emphasised the UPDF’s appreciation of the Church’s enduring contribution to guiding communities and supporting Uganda’s development agenda.
“The UPDF values the longstanding partnership with the Church, whose moral authority and community structures remain critical in fostering unity, patriotism, and national cohesion,” he said.
Masiko commended Bishop Rubaramira for his visionary leadership, particularly the establishment of the Bishop Annual Appeal Fund (BAAF), which he described as a transformative and sustainable model for grassroots development across Kabale Diocese.
“The Bishop Annual Appeal Fund is a transformative and sustainable engine for development. It has strengthened parish-level self-reliance and directly addressed critical needs in education, health, livelihoods, and social welfare,” he said.
Masiko also expressed appreciation to the Bishop for encouraging religious leaders to participate in a recent three-day ideological training symposium that brought together leaders from different denominations to reflect on national values and socio-economic transformation.
“Such engagements provide a vital platform for dialogue on patriotism, national values, and socio-economic transformation, and they contribute significantly to nation-building,” he said.
Looking ahead to the general presidential and parliamentary elections scheduled for 15 January 2026, Masiko appealed to the Catholic Church to continue playing its influential role in guiding citizens towards peaceful, responsible, and informed participation in the democratic process.
“We appeal for continued guidance in discouraging election-related violence and divisive language that could undermine national unity,” he said.
In his response, Bishop Rubaramira welcomed the UPDF delegation and expressed gratitude for the courtesy visit, reaffirming the Church’s commitment to peace building, moral leadership, and community empowerment.
“While we continue developing the diocese as a whole, for 2025 we resolved to take development to the lowest level — the parish. Whatever is raised through the Bishop’s Annual Appeal Fund is now directed towards parish-level projects, with neighbouring parishes coming together to support a common development priority,” he said.
Rubaramira explained that the approach aims to promote self-reliance and wealth creation, particularly through agricultural initiatives that directly uplift household incomes and strengthen community resilience.
The episcopal leader further welcomed collaboration with the UPDF under the Tarehe Sita programme, noting that such partnerships are instrumental in promoting mindset change, national consciousness, and social cohesion among communities.
He also expressed appreciation to President Museveni for supporting key infrastructural development projects within Kabale Diocese, which he said have contributed significantly to improved service delivery and livelihoods.
The engagement concluded with both the UPDF and the Kabale Diocese reaffirming their commitment to sustained collaboration in advancing peace, unity, and prosperity for the people of Uganda.
Masiko was accompanied by senior UPDF officers, including Maj Gen Ambrose Musinguzi, Joint Staff Health Services; Brig Gen Gerald Ahimbisibwe, Deputy Joint Staff Human Resource Management; Brig Gen Johnson Niwamanya, Head of Research at the National Defence College–Uganda; Lt Col Evelyn Asimwe; Lt Col (Rtd) Vincent Bakarweha; and Maj Kiconco Tabaro, Public Information Officer, 2 Infantry Division.
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