KABALE, UGANDA – The Director of Riverbank International, Mr. Roger Ole Rutware, has called for strengthened collaboration to support the growth of local churches, emphasizing their vital role in shaping the moral fabric and future of the nation.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Mr. Ole Rutware, a prominent Kampala-based businessman, made the remarks over the weekend at the grand opening, baptism, and consecration of St. Steven’s Kitojo Church of Uganda.
The historic service, which took place at the church premises in Rutooma Parish, Northern Division, Kabale Municipality, was presided over by the Bishop of Kigezi Diocese, the Rt. Rev. Gaddie Akanjuna.
The event also served as a solemn tribute to the late William Bagamuhunda and his wife, Jerurina Bagamuhunda, whose family donated the land on which the church now stands.
Mr. Ole Rutware, who is also the Chairman of the Kigezi Homeboyz Association, highlighted the church as an essential pillar of social development.
He stressed that the spiritual guidance the church provides is fundamental to fostering discipline and empowering families to break the cycle of poverty.
“Churches play a crucial role in motivating people to work hard and chase poverty from their families. The spiritual guidance offered here provides the foundation for a disciplined and prosperous community,” Ole Rutware emphasized.
Demonstrating his commitment to the growth of the diocese, Ole Rutware announced a donation of 300 bags of cement towards the ongoing construction of the Kigezi Diocesan Commercial House in Kabale Municipality.
The ambitious project, which broke ground last year, is contracted at a cost of Shs 3.1 billion and is expected to serve as a key economic hub for the diocese.
Rt. Rev. Gaddie Akanjuna expressed profound gratitude to Mr. Ole Rutware for his generosity, recognizing the importance of using personal wealth to support places of worship and church projects.
“We are deeply grateful to Roger Ole for using his resources for the good work of constructing places of worship and supporting church projects. This is a true example of servant leadership,” the Bishop said.
He further extended appreciation to the family of the late William Bagamuhunda, led by Mr. Conference Bagamuhunda, for honoring their parents’ vision by donating the land on which the church now stands as a lasting testament to their faith.
During the ceremony, Mr. Ole Rutware, alongside Kabale Municipality Member of Parliament-elect, Hon. Andrew Aja Baryayanga, and Hope Bagamuhunda, was named a Godly Parent of the Church.
The solemn and celebratory function concluded with a wreath-laying ceremony at the tomb of the late William Bagamuhunda and his wife.
The late William Bagamuhunda, who passed away on July 7th, 2021, at the age of 93, and his wife Jerurina Bagamuhunda, who died on October 26th, 2010, at the age of 80, were remembered for their deep faith and contribution to the community at their home in Northern Division.
The day’s events served as a powerful reminder of the enduring link between faith, family, and community development in Kigezi.
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