Rev. Fr. Bonaventure Bosco Katusiime Gubazire has been ordained and installed as the fifth Bishop of Kabale Diocese amidist happiness and celebrations among the shephereds.
Gubazire was installed on Saturday at a colourful episcopal ceremony held at the St. Ignatius University Kabale grounds in Southern Division, Kabale District.The ceremony was presided over by the retired Bishop of Kabale Diocese, Rt. Rev. Callistus Rubaramira, in the presence of His Excellency Tomasz Grysa, the Apostolic Nuncio to Uganda. Gubazire was formally installed at exactly 11:52AM.
In his homily, Rubaramira urged Gubazire to be a shepherd who cares for the faithful and remembers the needs of the vulnerable, particularly orphans and the needy.He also encouraged the new bishop to engage with Christians, listen to their views and concerns, and remain committed to loving and serving God and the Catholic Church.
Gubazire accepted the responsibilities and vows associated with his new office.The 52-year-old Prelate was appointed Bishop of Kabale Diocese on July 15, 2026, succeeding Rubaramira, who served as bishop for 23 years before his resignation was accepted by the Vatican.
The ceremony attracted hundreds of clergy, religious leaders, Christians and government officials.
Minister of Finance Henry Ariganyira Musasizi represented President Yoweri Museveni as chief guest. Other dignitaries included Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa, Health Minister Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, Minister for Security Maj. Gen. Jim Muhwezi, State Minister for Trade David Bahati and State Minister for Security Grace Akifeeza Ngabirano, among others.
Gubazire, a member of the Missionaries of Africa, commonly known as the White Fathers, was born on March 3, 1974, in Kitumba Hiika, Rushoroza Cathedral Parish, Kabale District, to Gubazire Vanansio and Solome Bakeihahwenki.
He attended St. Mary’s Boys Primary School, Rushoroza, from 1981 to 1987 and St. Paul’s Minor Seminary, Rushoroza, from 1988 to 1994. In 1994, he joined the Missionaries of Africa. He made his perpetual vows on December 7, 2002, and was ordained a priest on August 10, 2003, at Rushoroza Cathedral by Bishop Callistus Rubaramira.
Gubazire holds a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and Religious Studies from the Philosophy Centre Jinja, obtained in 1997, and a Bachelor’s degree in Theology from the Institut Catholique de Toulouse in France, awarded in 2003.
In 2010, he obtained a Master’s degree in Philosophy, specialising in Ethics, from the Milltown Institute of Philosophy in Dublin, Ireland. He later earned a Diploma in ICT System Support from Andiamo Educational Institutions in Baraka, Malawi, in 2013, and a Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of San Carlos in Cebu, Philippines, in 2020.
Following his ordination, Gubazire served in Mozambique as an assistant parish priest at Paroquia da Nossa Senhora de Fátima in Murraça, under the Archdiocese of Beira, from 2003 to 2007. During the same period, he served as director of the School of Adult Literacy at the Catholic Mission of Murraça and Caia and as a council member of the Missionaries of Africa in Mozambique.
From 2010 to 2013, he served as professor and Dean of Studies at Lechaptois Formation House of the Missionaries of Africa in Balaka, Malawi, and later served as acting rector from 2013 to 2015. He also served as Child Protection Delegate for the Missionaries of Africa in Malawi from 2011 to 2016.
In 2017, Gubazire moved to the Philippines, serving as coordinator and chaplain of the Friends of the Missionaries of Africa and as a member of the organisation’s Council of the Asia Section in Cebu. From 2019 to 2020, he served as rector of Our Lady of Africa Formation House (seminary) in Cebu.
Since 2021, Gubazire has served as Dean of Studies at Spiritan University College in Ejisu, Ghana. In 2023, he was appointed rector of St. Martin of Tours Formation House in Ejisu and became a member of the university college’s Academic Board.
Since 2025, he has also served as a member of the Provincial Council of the Missionaries of Africa, responsible for ongoing formation in the Ghana-Nigeria Province.His appointment as Bishop of Kabale marks his return to his home region, where he received his early education, entered priestly formation and was ordained a priest.
Kabale Diocese was officially erected on April 17, 1966, after being separated from Mbarara Diocese. Most Rev. Bishop Gervasius Placidus Nkalanga of Bukoba Diocese in Tanzania was appointed its first Apostolic Administrator.
On August 1, 1969, Rt. Rev. Barnabas Rugwizangonga Halem’Imana was appointed and consecrated as the first native residential bishop of the diocese. He retired in 1994 and was succeeded by Rt. Rev. Robert Marie Gay, who served until his retirement in 2003. He was succeeded by Rt. Rev. Callistus Rubaramira, who served as Bishop of Kabale until his resignation in July 2026. Gubazire now becomes the fifth bishop to lead Kabale Diocese-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
