FAMILY APOSTOLATE PILGRIMAGE: Vicar General Calls for Renewed Fight Against Poverty, Links It to Domestic Violence

By Bernard Bakalu

Luweero

On Friday, December 12, 2025, the Family Apostolate of the Kasana–Luweero Diocese embarked on a pilgrimage to Our Lady of Fatima Queen of Peace, Kasana Cathedral.

Msgr. Vincent De Paul Mukiibi, the Diocesan Vicar General, presided over the solemn Mass, while Msgr. Francis Xavier Mpanga delivered the homily.

At the start of his address, Msgr. Mukiibi conveyed the warm greetings of Bishop Lawrence Mukasa, who was away on official diocesan duties.

The Vicar General underscored the centrality of stable, faith-filled families to the life of the Church and society.

He called upon families to actively engage in income-generating activities as a means of combating poverty, which he warned continues to fuel domestic violence.

Citing findings from a recent diocesan workshop on domestic violence, Msgr. Mukiibi observed that financial hardship often exacerbates tensions within households, leading to conflict and broken relationships.

Addressing hundreds of pilgrims who generously contributed Shs3 million to support Bishop Mukasa’s ongoing efforts to establish new parishes, Msgr. Mukiibi emphasized that enhancing household incomes is a key step toward addressing this pressing social challenge.

The pilgrimage formed part of the Diocese’s Holy Jubilee Year 2025 celebrations, during which parishes and institutions have been undertaking similar spiritual journeys to strengthen faith and family life.

Msgr. Mukiibi also stressed the importance of transparency in household finances.

He noted that secrecy around money can cause wives and children to mistakenly believe that the family head is withholding support, a misunderstanding that can breed resentment.

In contrast, openness fosters responsible stewardship, gratitude, and unity within the family.

Following the homily, Mrs. Dorothy Kajubi Godfrey, Diocesan Matron of the Family Apostolate, presented the annual report on behalf of Mr. Steven Mukasa, Diocesan Head of Married Couples. She announced plans to intensify sensitization efforts in the coming year, beginning with a one-week retreat for married couples, already approved by the Bishop through Rev. Fr. Matthias Ssennyange, the Diocesan Chaplain of the Family Apostolate.

The programme will subsequently extend to all parishes, emphasizing child nurturing and upbringing, as well as raising awareness about the dangers of domestic violence and strategies for its prevention, in line with the Church’s mission to strengthen family life.

Domestic violence has long been a serious concern in Luweero.

According to the Police Crime Report for 2022, Luweero District registered 501 domestic violence cases, up from 340 in 2021.

This sharp increase pushed Luweero from ninth place to the second worst-affected district nationwide, surpassed only by Kiryandongo, which recorded 520 cases.

Joyce Namigadde, the Senior Probation Officer for Luweero District, attributed the spike to conflicts stemming from rapid urbanization, alcoholism, property grabbing, unemployment, and other social pressures.

She noted that many cases resulted in injuries and displacement of women and children, while numerous others went unreported, often being settled by local councils instead of police.

Ronald Ndawula, then the Luweero District Chairperson for the National Resistance Movement (NRM), echoed Msgr. Mukiibi’s concerns, saying families trapped in poverty are more susceptible to domestic violence.

He stressed the need for government programmes that directly target and alleviate household poverty.

As part of broader national efforts to combat household poverty, the government has over the years rolled out several initiatives championed by President Yoweri Museveni.

Among the most recent and highly publicized programmes are Emyooga and the Parish Development Model (PDM)—flagship interventions designed to boost household incomes, especially at the grassroots.

Emyooga was introduced to support specialized enterprise groups, while the PDM aims to drive socio-economic transformation by channeling funds directly to the parish level, the lowest administrative unit, to uplift families trapped in the subsistence economy.

However, despite significant government investment and ongoing mobilization, official assessments and public reports indicate that both programmes have not yet yielded the desired results.

Implementation gaps limited financial literacy among beneficiaries, and mismanagement concerns in some areas have slowed progress toward achieving the intended impact on household poverty reduction.

 Msgr. Vincent De Paul Mukiibi receives the Shs3 million contribution from the Family Apostolate, handed to him by Mrs. Dorothy Kajubi on Friday, December 12, 2025, in support of the bishop’s ongoing establishment of new parishes. PHOTO BY BERNARD BAKALU.

 Msgr. Vincent De Paul Mukiibi (left) presides over Mass during the Family Apostolate pilgrimage to Kasana Cathedral on Friday, December 12, 2025. PHOTO BY BERNARD BAKALU.

 Rev. Fr. Matthias Ssennyange, the Kasana–Luweero Diocesan Chaplain for the Family Apostolate, addresses the faithful during the pilgrimage at Kasana Cathedral on Friday, December 12, 2025. PHOTO BY BERNARD BAKALU.

Mr. William Mwesigye, the Diocesan Coordinator, Family Apostolate, speaks to the faithful during the pilgrimage at Kasana Cathedral on Friday, December 12, 2025. PHOTO BY BERNARD BAKALU.

 Mrs. Dorothy Kajubi Godfrey, the Diocesan Matron of the Family Apostolate, delivers the annual report during the pilgrimage at Kasana Cathedral on Friday, December 12, 2025. PHOTO BY BERNARD BAKALU.

 Some of the couples participating in the Family Apostolate pilgrimage attend Mass at Kasana Cathedral on Friday, December 12, 2025. PHOTO BY BERNARD BAKALU.

 Some of the couples in a procession to attend the Family Apostolate pilgrimage Mass at Kasana Cathedral on Friday, December 12, 2025. PHOTO BY BERNARD BAKALU.