VIDEO: Eulogy Speech by Christine Awori at the Memorial Mass for the Late Pope Francis

Kampala, Uganda – East Africa / April 24, 2025

Watch the full video of the eulogy speech by Ms. Christine Awori, the Chief Executive Officer of the Uganda Law Society (ULS), at the Memorial Mass for the late His Holiness Pope Francis at the Uganda Law Society (ULS) headquarters in Kampala on April 24, 2025. This dedicational mass not only mourned the late Pope but also reflected on his legacy as the leader of the Catholic Church and the sovereign of Vatican City State from 2013 until his passing in 2025.

The mass was conducted in partnership with the Catholic Lawyers Society International (CLASI), the Uganda Law Society (ULS), and the Uganda Catholic Lawyers Society (UCLS).

Watch the video below:

The event was also graced by the Hon. Rose Lily Akello (MP), the Minister of State for Ethics and Integrity in the Office of the President of the Republic of Uganda, H.E. Amb. Lt. Gen. Philip Idro, the Principal Advisor to Gen. Caleb Akandwanaho Salim Saleh, the Chief Coordinator of Operation Wealth Creation and Special Advisor to H.E. the President of the Republic of Uganda on Defence and Military Affairs (CCOWC/SPAD), the Hon. David Bwangamoe Pulkol, the Principal Advisor to the CCOWC/SPAD and Counsel Twinobusingye Severino the Principal Legal Advisor to the CCOWC/SPAD and President, Catholic Lawyers Society International (CLASI) and the Chairperson University Council KAPATU. Also present were the area members of Parliament led by the Hon. Lokii Peter Abrahams MP Jie County, the Hon. Lokwang Hillary– MP Ik County and the Hon. Margaret Aleper – the Woman MP for Kotido District, the Resident District Commissioner Mr. Ichogor Charles among other dignitaries attended the function.

A highlight of the visit was the foundation stone, laid by the President of Uganda and the University Founding Chancellor, H.E. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. This stone symbolizes the government’s commitment to the university project.

The delegation then proceeded to Kanawat Health Centre iii and inspected the land allocated for the construction of the Faculty of Health Sciences. Kanawat Health Centre iii is to be up graded to a super specialized University Teaching Hospital. Kanawat hospital is expected to enhance healthcare services in the region.

In a further boost to the project’s viability, the Uganda Government has approved a substantial allocation of UGX 180 billion in the FY 2025/26 National Budget for KAPATU. This is a further demonstration of the government’s commitment to advancing education and development in Karamoja.

The day’s events began with the cerebration of the Holy Eucharist at the Good Shepherd Cathedral Kotido Catholic Diocese in Kotido Municipality.

The main celebrant of the Holy Mass was the Rt. Rev. Bishop Dominic Eibu MCCJ. The Concelebrants were the Rt. Rev. Bishop Emmanuel Bernardino Lowi Napeta, the Bishop of Torit Catholic Diocese in South Sudan and the Rt. Rev. Bishop Sanctus Lino Wanok, the Bishop of Lira Catholic Diocese and the Vice President of Uganda Episcopal Conference. This day also marked the celebration of the 2^nd anniversary of the Rt. Rev. Bishop Dominic Eibu MCCJ and the Rt. Rev. Bishop Emmanuel Bernardino Lowi Napeta.

The event was also graced by the Hon. Rose Lily Akello (MP), the Minister of State for Ethics and Integrity in the Office of the President of the Republic of Uganda. Also present were the area members of Parliament led by the Hon. Lokii Peter Abrahams MP Jie County, the Hon. Lokwang Hillary– MP Ik County and the Hon. Margaret Aleper – the Woman MP for Kotido District. The Resident District Commissioner Mr. Ichogor Charles also attended the function.

Gulu, Uganda – East Africa / January 3, 2025.

The government of Uganda has committed to funding and collaborating with the Catholic Church on various special projects focused on education, health, agriculture, and peace in the West Nile, Acholi, Lango, Karamoja, and Teso (WALK-T) regions. This decision was reached during a meeting on January 3, 2025, in Gulu City, which included Gen. Caleb Akandwanaho Salim Saleh, the Chief Coordinator of Operation Wealth Creation and Special Advisor to the President of Uganda on Defense and Military Affairs, along with members of the clergy from the WALK-T regions.

Notable attendees included His Grace Raphael p’Mony Wokorach MCCJ, Archbishop of Gulu Archdiocese; His Lordship Dominic Eibu MCCJ, Bishop of Kotido Catholic Diocese; His Grace Dr. John Baptist Odama, Archbishop Emeritus; Hon. Lokii Peter Abrahams MP, the Member of Parliament for Jie County, Kotido District; Hon. Achia Remigio MP, the member of Parliament for Pian County, Nabilatuk District, H.E. Amb. Lt. Gen. Philip Idro- the Principal Advisor to the CCOWC/SPAD, the Hon. David Bwangamoe Pulkol- the Principal Advisor to the CCOWC/SPAD and Counsel Twinobusingye Severino, the Principal Legal Advisor to the CCOWC/SPAD and the President of the Catholic Lawyers Society International (CLASI), among others.

Watch the video below:

The bishops agreed to establish a formal partnership with the Ugandan government for special projects in the Catholic Dioceses of Kotido, Moroto, Soroti, Lira, Arua, Nebbi, and Gulu Archdiocese. To date, the government has allocated over UGX 3 billion to the Cassava project for Gulu Archdiocese. Additionally, on his 65th birthday on January 14, Gen. Saleh opted to use the occasion as a fundraiser for Dogini Farm Limited, owned by the Little Sisters of Mary Immaculate of Gulu. He raised over UGX 1.2 billion in cash, along with tractors, Friesian cows, and materials needed to complete the sisters’ convent.

In the Karamoja subregion, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the founding Chancellor of the Karamoja Peace and Technology University (KAPATU) Project, has allocated UGX 180 billion towards the establishment of the university. The goal is to foster social and economic transformation through peace, education, health, and agricultural initiatives based in Kotido Diocese, with plans to extend services to Moroto Diocese and the wider Karamoja subregion. The cooperation is underway, and the next step is to implement these initiatives once the formal agreements are signed between the government and the respective Catholic dioceses.