KABALE – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has fulfilled his pledge of Shs 50 million to Rev. Dr. Narcisio Bagumisiriza, author of African Customary and Christian Marriages Compared.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The money was delivered on Saturday by the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Hon. Henry Musasizi, who represented the President at the book’s launch in April 2024.
Speaking on the President’s behalf, Minister Musasizi recalled that Fr. Bagumisiriza was among the first people to welcome Museveni and his Uganda Patriotic Movement (UPM) when he challenged the UPC government in the 1980 elections. Fr. Bagumisiriza later supported and mobilized for the National Resistance Movement (NRM).
“This is a reminder that President Museveni does not forget his historical people. Fr. Bagumisiriza is one of those who spread the good news of the NRM. Many years later, the President has rewarded him,” Musasizi said.
Musasizi said the fulfilled pledge should encourage others who are waiting for presidential pledges, adding that the President honours his commitments in due course.
“As you’ve heard, the President made this pledge of Shs 50 million when I represented him at the book launch over two years ago. At the time, I was still State Minister of Finance. A few days ago, I met the President, and he gave me the package for Fr. Bagumisiriza,” he said.
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Bagumisiriza said he first developed the idea for his book while pursuing his PhD in Rome. The priest, who holds a doctorate from the Pontifical Gregorian University, said the book explores how African customary marriage and Christian marriage relate to one another.
It is intended, he said, to help unmarried Africans, particularly Christians, understand the harmony between the two traditions and to encourage people to embrace formal marriage, especially Christian marriage. “Christian marriage addresses a number of uncertainties because Jesus Christ is at the centre,” he said.
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Musasizi urged the priest to use the money to improve the social and economic wellbeing of people around him. He also encouraged him to use available platforms to share the Government’s message of helping communities move from subsistence living into the money economy.
Fr. Bagumisiriza thanked President Museveni for keeping his promise and for agreeing to be the chief guest at the book launch. “Even when he couldn’t make it, he sent Minister Musasizi to represent him, and I am so grateful,” he said.
The book was launched at Christ the King Parish in Kampala. It is available in several bookshops for UGX 20,000, and copies can also be obtained from Fr. Bagumisiriza’s office at Katigondo National Major Seminary.
Fr. Bagumisiriza was ordained as a priest in the Kabale Diocese on April 23, 1978. His academic background includes a Diploma in Philosophy from Makerere University and a Doctorate of Philosophy in Sacred Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University.
He currently serves as General Spiritual Director and lecturer at Katigondo National Major Seminary in Masaka City.
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