BUSHENYI – Works and preparations to mark 100 years of faith of St. Peters Kitabi catholic parish in Bushenyi are in high gear and doing final touches.
The celebrations are slated for June 29 this Saturday and president Museveni is expected to be the chief guest.
On the ground, we found the choir rehearsing, the final painting of the church, tarmacking of the road to the church and construction of an outside temporary pulpit were being undertaken to ensure by Friday everything is set. It should be noted that Kitabi Parish was started by the white fathers in 1919
Basil Kandyomunda the chairperson construction committee told media in a press conference on Tuesday that so far all works are at 95% complete.
He said that ever since they started the project of expanding the church, they have so far spent over shs1.2bn on a church which now accommodates a congregation of 2000.
“Initially this church used to seat only 500 people but we decided to expand it as we mark the centenary celebrations now it can accommodate at least 2000 people on Saturday His Grace Archbishop Paul Kamuza Bakyenga will bless it. We have so far spent shs1.2bn and this has been donations and contributions from good Samaritans of God from within and outside Kitabi parish,” said Kandyomunda.
Fr. Robert Kakuru the parish priest noted that as they celebrate 100 years of Kitabi parish, they will also be celebrating the 75th birthday of Archbishop Paul K. Bakyenga of Nyamitanga Archdiocese who was initiated into the priesthood by the white fathers.
He added that on the same day, three deacons will be ordained as priests and coincidentally Bakyenga will be marking 30 years of his episcopate as the Archbishop.
“Walking a journey of 100 years is not a mean achievement, it’s worth celebrating and that’s why it’s going to be a mega celebration not for only Kitabi but as Catholic Church in the whole world since the president is going to be our chief guest,” said Fr. Kakuru.
He said that in the last 100 years, Kitabi has realized spiritual achievements as one of the missions of the Catholic Church. “So many people have been baptized, have got various sacraments which have brought people closer to God which has eased the government’s efforts to manage well citizens.”
He, however, noted that despite the fact that they are celebrating 100 years, they still have a lot to achieve. “We call upon all people to come early on Saturday, go through the security checkups very early so that we have a well-organized function”
