Geographical Location and Boundaries

Ishongororo Catholic Parish is located at mile 62 on the Mbarara-Kamwenge road, 20 miles from Ibanda Town. The parish borders Kamwengye District in the northwest, Ibanda Parish and Bubaare Parish in the south, and Kyabwayera and Kazo Parishes in the east. The parish mainly covers Ishongororo and Nyamarebe sub-counties, as well as parts of Bisheshe (Ibanda Municipality). It also includes Ishongororo Town Council, Rushango Town Council, and Kanyarugiri Town Council. The farthest outstation is Omwibare, 14 miles from the parish.

Historical Background

Originally, Ishongororo Catholic Parish was a small Christian community of Omwitagi Center called “Katungu,” led by Mrs. Alice Karemire. The community worked hard to buy land from the late Mr. Tibanyendera Paul near Ishongororo Trading Center in 1982 and built a church. Mr. Njuyarwe Lawrence became its first hiika catechist, followed by Mr. Phillip Zikanshagiza in 1986 and Mr. Katabazi Leo in 1994.

In 1995, Fr. Atwine Louis, the Parish Priest of Ibanda, raised it to zone status "Katungu zone." In 1998, the community started thinking of having priest services nearby, forming a steering committee. In 2001, Mr. Ngorogoza L was appointed catechist, and in 2003, His Grace Paul K Bakyenga installed the Blessed Sacrament in the chapel. In 2004, the parish was officially established with Fr. Godfrey Bataringaya and Fr. Achilles Kiwanuka as its first priests.

Leadership

The parish is currently served by two priests, 40 catechists, and their council. The current priests are Rev. Fr. Godfrey Bataringaya AJ and Rev. Fr. Anacletus Mugabe AJ. On October 7, 2020, the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena joined the parish apostolate, residing at Omwitagi Convent.

  • Sr. Francesca Bray - Italian (Perpetual professed)
  • Sr. Caroline Mwinganiza – Ugandan (Perpetual professed)
  • Sr. Theresa Nalukwago – Ugandan (Perpetual professed)
  • Sr. Mary Josephine Babirye Yiga – Ugandan (Temporal professed)

They serve at St. Macrina Girls' Vocational Secondary School, the primary school, and in daily spiritual activities in the parish.

Infrastructure

The parish headquarters are built on three hectares of land, with additional plots in Ishongororo Trading Center. The church building, started in 2009, is nearing completion. A sisters' convent has also been built at Omwitagi Center. The parish has tapped water and a permanent 50,000-liter water tank, along with a 2,000-liter Crest water tank. It also has hydroelectric power and a generator.

Sacramental Life (6th July 2004 – 17th October 2022)

  • Baptisms: 2,415 adults, 16,739 infants
  • First Holy Communions: 9,558
  • Confirmations: 5,364
  • Marriages: 1,120

There has been a positive response to private confession and a need to renew themselves towards receiving Holy Communion. However, there are still challenges with polygamy and irregular marriages.

Vocations

  • Priests: 2
  • Religious professed sisters: 8
  • Professed brother: 1
  • Aspirants/postulants to sisterhood: 5
  • Major seminarians: 1
  • Minor seminarians: 3

Priests

  • Fr. Peter Arinaitwe (Omwitagi Hiika)
  • Fr. Ignitius Nimwesiga (Kanyarugiri Hiika)

Brothers

  • Bro. John Paul Muramuzi (Omwitagi Hiika, Brothers of Christian Instruction)

Sisters

  • Sr. Donatira Kyomukama (Omwitagi Hiika, Banyatereza Sisters Fort Portal)
  • Sr. Basigagabo Anna (Kakindo Hiika, Our Lady of Fatima)
  • Sr. Birungi Saverino (Rushango Hiika, Our Lady of Fatima)
  • Sr. Evalyne Kyomugisha (Mutima Mugabe Hiika, Our Lady of Fatima)
  • Sr. Rose Mary Kyomugisha (Kakindo Hiika, Our Lady of Fatima)
  • Sr. Alicespina Kyasimire (Kashungwa Hiika, DMJ)
  • Sr. Claire Biryomumaisho (Nyamarebe Hiika, Daughters of Merciful Love of Jesus and Mary - Arua)
  • Sr. Maria Hellena (Buteraniro Hiika, Benebikira Sisters of Rwanda)

Pastoral Activities

Liturgical functions are celebrated monthly. There is a daily morning Eucharistic celebration at Ishongororo. The first and third Sundays are celebrated at the hiika level, the second Sunday at the center level, and the fourth Sunday at the parish level. Days of obligation such as Corpus Christi, Assumption Day, and Pentecost Day are celebrated at the parish level. Priests regularly visit hiika and center levels during Advent and Lent seasons to minister sacraments and celebrate Mass.

Small Christian Communities (SCCs) have been strengthened and are actively supported by priests and catechists. Catechists and other movements collaborate with priests to carry out their pastoral work.

Lay Apostolate Movements

  • Legionaries of Mary
  • Catholic Charismatic Renewal
  • St. Jude
  • Pioneer Movement
  • The Eucharistic Crusaders
  • The Xaverians Movement

Organizations for Development

  • Women’s Guild
  • Catholic Women’s Organization
  • Men’s Association (St. Joseph Association)

These organizations contribute significantly to the church's missionary activities.

Institutions:

Primary Schools (Gov’t Aided):

  • Katungu Primary School
  • Ishongororo Primary School
  • Busingiro Primary School
  • Nyamarebe Primary School
  • Rwemirama Primary School
  • Rwenkuba Primary School
  • Kentitiriyo Primary School
  • Muziiza Primary School
  • Kashozi Primary School
  • Mushunga Primary School
  • Omwitagi Primary School
  • Kibungo Primary School
  • Bukama Primary School
  • Rwenshoga Primary School

Church Schools:

  • Karambi (Nursery to P.4)
  • Mutima Mugabe (Nursery)
  • Kinanira (Nursery to P.5)
  • Buyonza (Nursery to P.7)

Secondary Schools/Institute:

  • The Nativity of Mary Kashozi Secondary School (O Level & A Level)
  • St. Macrina Girls’ Vocational Secondary School (O Level)
  • St. Paul SS Rushango (O Level)
  • St. Benedict Technical Institute-Rwenshoga Ishongororo

Economic Strength:

  • Individual donations from within
  • Sunday collections
  • Envelopes and yearly harvests
  • Thanksgiving days
  • Fundraising
  • Assets: 1/2 plot in the trading center and 2.5 hectares of land at Ishongororo Church

Challenges:

  • Most church land in outstations has not yet got title deeds
  • Financial weakness among parents, making it hard to support their children in good schools
  • Lack of enough land at the parish ground
  • Lack of long-term financial generating projects

Future Plans:

Short-term:

  • Completing the church building
  • Land extensions
  • Sending more catechists for training
  • Developing new secondary schools fully

Long-term:

  • Building administration offices
  • Constructing a church hall
  • Purchasing a parish vehicle

Presented by: Rev. Fr. Godfrey Bataringaya