Education, Health, Socio-economic Initiatives Discussed at Bishops’ Plenary in Uganda

During the Plenary Assembly, UEC members discussed about Uganda’s economy and also  reflected on Pope Francis’ Encyclical letter, Laudato Si’.

“The Bishops were provided with the opportunity to share their concerns for the economy, industrialization, youth unemployment, refugees and migrants, climate change and its effects in light of the encyclical Laudato Si’ as well as instability and insecurity in some parts of the country,” they say in their statement signed by UEC Chairman, Bishop Joseph Antony Zziwa.

They highlighted some of the challenges including widespread poverty and high cost of living and encouraged the Ugandan government to continue “in its strategic planning for the betterment of the human condition and life.”

Catholic Bishops in Uganda further called for “recognition of the dignity of the human person in accordance with the National Constitution, human rights and the teaching of the Church.”

They also urged the people of God in the country to embrace unity and also work in harmony for a united Uganda.

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UEC also discussed the 2022 national celebration of the Uganda Martyrs Day at Namugongo, the annual pilgrimage that was animated by the country’s Fort Portal Diocese. 

During the Catholic Bishops’ Plenary Assembly, Tororo Ecclesiastical Province that was mandated to select the Diocese to animate the 2023 celebration settled for Jinja Diocese.

The beatification of Fr. Giuseppe Ambrosoli at Kalongo, Gulu Archdiocese on 20 November 2022 and the Golden Jubilee to be celebrated by St. Mary's National Seminary, Ggaba on 12 November 2022 were also discussed.

UEC resolved “to focus their attention” on the ongoing preparations for the Synod on Synodality that is scheduled to take place in October 2023 in Rome.

During their Plenary Assembly that was opened by the Apostolic Nuncio in Uganda, Archbishop Luigi Bianco, UEC members also received reports from institutions affiliated to the Catholic Church in the country, including the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA), the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar  (SECAM), the Bible Society of Uganda, the Joint Medical Stores, and the ECLOF Uganda Limited.