Success Story: a sturdy vehicle for a remote rural parish

In the diocese of Lugazi, in central Uganda, they have recently established a new parish. It is dedicated to Saint Kizito, the youngest of the 20 Ugandan martyrs who were put to death between 1885 and 1887 by King Mwanga for refusing to renounce their Christian faith. Kizito was just 14 years old when he was burned alive. He has been named patron saint of children and young people. The Church in Uganda is rightly proud of its martyrs.

The new parish, which is based in Namasumbi, is situated in a rural area. There are no tarred roads and in the rainy season especially it is difficult to reach many of the villages. You need a sturdy all-terrain vehicle to get through.

For a long time, however, the only vehicle available to the two priests in the parish was an ancient car that had in reality long since ceased to be roadworthy. Consequently the priests were frequently dependent on public transport, which was likewise extremely unreliable. As a result they wasted a great deal of precious time that they could have spent on their pastoral work, since the people in the villages are waiting for Holy Mass, the sacraments, visits to the sick and the general support of their priests. 

But now, thanks to the generosity of our benefactors, we were able to provide 13,000 Euros to help for the purchase of a car. And parish priest Father Jude Kiggala has written to us:  „We are extremely grateful for the help given us by ACN. As a result, our pastoral work has been greatly strengthened, and it is much easier now to visit the sick and elderly and participate in the life of the Christian communities.“ 

Heartfelt thanks from us also to all who have helped! May God reward you!