Msgr. Bonaventure Gubazire ordained and installed as Kabale Diocese’s fifth bishop

Kabale Municipality — Saturday, 3 October 2026

Rt Rev. Bonaventure Bosco Gubazire has been ordained and installed as the fifth Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Kabale, succeeding Bishop Emeritus Callist Rubaramira after 23 years at the helm.

The ceremony was held at the grounds of St Ignatius University Kabale (IGUKA) in Kabale Municipality. Bishop Emeritus Rubaramira was the principal ordaining bishop. The Apostolic Nuncio to Uganda, Archbishop Tomasz Grysa, witnessed the rite. Clergy, religious, lay faithful and senior government officials filled the venue as the diocese also marked 60 years since its founding in 1966.

Pope Leo XIV appointed Gubazire on 15 July 2026 and, on the same day, accepted Rubaramira’s resignation under Canon 401 §1 after the outgoing bishop reached the canonical retirement age of 75. The appointment was announced at Our Lady of Good Shepherd Cathedral, Rushoroza, by Fr Georges Kwami Kouwonou, Chargé d’Affaires of the Apostolic Nunciature. Rubaramira remained Apostolic Administrator until the new bishop took possession of the see.

The rite

The ordination opened with the presentation of the Apostolic Mandate, read in Latin, English and Rukiga-Runyankore. Clergy and faithful answered, “Thanks be to God.”

After the homily, Gubazire made the promises of a bishop: to carry out the office entrusted to him, proclaim the Gospel, guard the deposit of faith, remain united with the College of Bishops, and obey the successor of St Peter. Asked if he would render that obedience, he answered, “I do.” He also pledged to be a father to the faithful, work with priests and deacons, care for the poor and strangers, seek out those who stray, and carry out the office of high priest without reproach. To the final question he replied, “I do, with the help of God.”

The Litany of Supplication, the laying on of hands and the Prayer of Ordination followed. His head was anointed, the Book of the Gospels was handed to him, and he received the insignia of the episcopal office.

In his homily, Rubaramira told the new bishop that the title is a task, not an honour. “A Bishop must strive to benefit others rather than to lord it over them,” he said, urging Gubazire to follow the Good Shepherd, proclaim the Gospel, administer the sacraments, listen to the faithful, and attend to the poor, the weak and those outside the Church. He asked the diocese to receive him as a minister of Christ and a steward of the mysteries of God.

The evening before, at Evening Prayer for the Memorial of the Guardian Angels at Rushoroza Cathedral, Gubazire had professed the faith and taken the Oath of Allegiance to the Holy Father, witnessed by Archbishop Grysa. He pledged to uphold the Apostolic faith, defend the Magisterium, show pastoral charity, and safeguard Church property.

After the installation, Gubazire said he would work with other religious leaders to strengthen cooperation and continue preaching the Gospel.

Who he is

Gubazire was born on 3 March 1974 in Kitumba Hiika, Rushoroza Cathedral Parish, to Vanansio Gubazire and Solome Bakeihahwenki. He attended St Mary’s Boys Primary School, Rushoroza (1981–1987), and St Paul’s Minor Seminary, Rushoroza (1988–1994), before entering the postulancy of the Missionaries of Africa (White Fathers) in 1994.

He made perpetual vows on 7 December 2002 and was ordained a priest on 10 August 2003 at Rushoroza Cathedral by the then Bishop Rubaramira — two months after Rubaramira’s own episcopal ordination. He holds a BA in Philosophy and Religious Studies from the Philosophy Centre, Jinja (1997), a BA in Theology from the Institut Catholique de Toulouse (2003), an MA in Philosophy (Ethics) from the Milltown Institute, Dublin (2010), and a doctorate in Philosophy from the University of San Carlos, Cebu (2020). His episcopal motto is In caritate Evangelium praedicare — “To preach the Gospel in love.”

His ministry has taken him across Africa and Asia: assistant parish priest and adult-literacy director in Murraca, Mozambique (2003–2007); professor, dean of studies and acting rector at Lechaptois Formation House in Balaka, Malawi; formation and chaplaincy work in the Philippines, including as rector of Our Lady of Africa Formation House in Cebu; and, from 2023, rector of St Martin of Tours Formation House in Ejisu, Ghana, and a member of the provincial council for ongoing formation in the Ghana–Nigeria Province.

Officials and a presidential gift

Finance Minister Henry Musasizi attended as chief guest, representing President Yoweri Museveni. Also present were Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, Chief Justice Flavia Zeija, Health Minister Chris Baryomunsi, Security Minister Jim Muhwezi, State Minister for Industry David Bahati, and other ministers and MPs, including Rukiga Woman MP Sylvia Alinaitwe.

President Museveni gifted the new bishop a Toyota Land Cruiser V8, delivered by Minister Musasizi, to ease his pastoral work.

Kabale Diocese, in the Ecclesiastical Province of Mbarara, covers much of the Kigezi region. Gubazire is its fifth ordinary, after a line that began with the erection of the diocese in 1966. Rubaramira had led it since 15 March 2003.