Kasana-Luweero Diocese Trains Parish Executive Secretaries on Data Collection for Prospective Holy Land Pilgrims
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By Bernard Bakalu
Luweero
Kasana–Luweero Diocese has commenced a special training programme for Parish Executive Secretaries aimed at equipping them with skills for the systematic collection of data for prospective pilgrims to the Holy Land [Israel].
The initiative follows an announcement made by the Bishop of Kasana–Luweero Diocese, the Rt. Rev. Lawrence Mukasa, during his homily on Sunday, December 28, 2025.
The bishop was presiding at the Holy Mass marking the diocesan closure of the Holy Jubilee Year 2025 at Our Lady of Fatima, Queen of Peace, Kasana Cathedral.
On that solemn occasion, he informed the faithful that the diocese had embarked on preparations for a major pilgrimage to the Holy Land of Israel, scheduled for 2027.
According to the Bishop’s announcement, the pilgrimage will take place from Friday, February 5, 2027, to Tuesday, February 9, 2027.
Pilgrims will have the grace-filled opportunity to visit at least 21 sacred and historical sites associated with the life of Our Lord Jesus Christ, among them the River Jordan, the Holy Sepulchre (the Tomb of Jesus), Nazareth, Bethlehem, Cana, and Jerusalem.
Participants who opt to share accommodation will contribute Shs 7,000,000 (Seven Million Uganda Shillings), while those who prefer single-room accommodation will pay Shs 8,000,000 (Eight Million Uganda Shillings).
The training workshop officially began on Saturday, February 7, 2026, in the boardroom at the Diocesan Headquarters in Kasana–Luweero.
A day earlier, on Friday, February 6, 2026, the Diocesan Pastoral Coordinator, Rev. Fr. Cyril Kasigwa Sande, communicated to Parish Executive Secretaries via their WhatsApp forum, urging them to attend the workshop.
In his message, Fr. Kasigwa emphasized the urgency of the exercise, reminding them to report to Kasana for the training on the pilgrims’ registration system.
He further informed them that the workshop would begin at 9:00 a.m. and encouraged participants to come with laptops where possible, noting that smartphones could also be used.
He also stressed the need for each participant to have an active email address for the exercise.
By mid-day on Saturday, the workshop had gathered momentum, registering a large attendance of Parish Executive Secretaries drawn from all the 32 parishes of Kasana–Luweero Diocese, namely; Our Lady of Grace Nandere Parish, Mary Mother of the Divine Shepherd Mulajje Parish, Our Lady of Epiphany Kijaguzo Parish, Our Lady of Lourdes Nakasongola Parish, Our Lady of the Annunciation Kasaala Parish, St. Joseph the Worker Katikamu Parish, St. Kizito Nattyoole Parish, Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Namaliga Parish, St. Kizito Nakaseke Parish, St. Bruno Sserunkuma Kikyuusa Parish, Our Lady of Fatima, Queen of Peace – Kasana Cathedral Parish.
The others are; Holy Trinity Ziroobwe Parish, St. Jude Kakooge Parish, St. Cyprian Ngoma Parish, Our Lady of Consolata Kapeeka Parish, St. Anthony Migyeera Parish, Uganda Martyrs’ Kiwoko Parish, St. Joseph & St. Vincenzo Romano Kalule Parish, St. Joseph Catholic Parish Kannyanda, St. Charles Lwanga Kamira Jubilee Parish, St. Paul’s Jubilee Catholic Parish Katuugo, St. Jude Kyegombwa Parish, Immaculate Heart of Mary Butalangu Parish, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Bugongo Parish, Kankoole Parish, St. Peter Kansiira Parish, St. John Vianney Kazwaama Parish, St. Mary’s Lwampanga Parish, All Saints’ Catholic Parish Nakitoma, St. Kizito Waluleeta Parish, St. Joseph, Husband of Mary – Wobulenzi Parish and St. Paul Katuugo Parish.
Also in attendance were Rev. Fr. Cyril Kasigwa Sande, the chief convener of the workshop, and Rev. Fr. Achilles Kiwanuka, the Diocesan Treasurer General.
The training session was facilitated by Mr. Harrison Kintu, an Information Technology (IT) specialist, who guided participants through the technical aspects of digital data collection and registration.
The First Diocesan Pilgrimage
This forthcoming Holy Land pilgrimage builds on the diocese’s recent experience of organizing large-scale pilgrimages.
In July 2025, Kasana–Luweero Diocese successfully sent 241 pilgrims to Rome to participate in the Jubilee Year celebrations.
Each pilgrim contributed over Shs 7 million toward the pilgrimage, undertaken in response to the Jubilee proclaimed by the late Pope Francis.
The current preparations according to the organizers are part of the plans to reflect the diocese’s continued commitment to nurturing the spiritual life of the faithful by enabling them to encounter, more deeply and tangibly, the sacred mysteries of the Catholic faith through pilgrimage.
THE TRAINING IN PICTURES
A flyer about the pilgrimage to Israel.
From left to right: Ms. Sharon Namisango (Executive Secretary, Nattyole Parish), Rev. Fr. Achilles Kiwanuka (Diocesan Treasurer General), and Rev. Fr. Cyril Kasigwa (Diocesan Pastoral Coordinator) attending the workshop on the pilgrims’ registration system on Saturday, February 7, 2026. PHOTO BY BERNARD BAKALU.
Mr. Harrison Kintu uses his laptop connected to a projector as he trains participants during the workshop on the pilgrims’ registration system on Saturday, February 7, 2026. PHOTO BY BERNARD BAKALU.
Mr. Harrison Kintu checks something on his laptop as he trains participants during the workshop on the pilgrims’ registration system on Saturday, February 7, 2026. PHOTO BY BERNARD BAKALU.
Parish Executive Secretaries attending the workshop on the pilgrims’ registration system on Saturday, February 7, 2026. PHOTO BY BERNARD BAKALU.
Mr. Harrison Kintu moves around as he trains participants during the workshop on the pilgrims’ registration system on Saturday, February 7, 2026. PHOTO BY BERNARD BAKALU.
Participants listen attentively during Mr. Harrison Kintu’s presentation in a workshop on the pilgrims’ registration system on Saturday, February 7, 2026. PHOTO BY BERNARD BAKALU.
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