Kisoro religious leaders have bid farewell to the Bishop of Kabale Catholic Diocese, the Rt. Rev. Callist Rubaramira, following his retirement after 23 years of pastoral service.
The farewell was held ahead of the installation of his successor, Bishop-elect Monsignor Bonaventure Bosco Gubazire, scheduled for October 3, 2026.
Pope Leo XIV accepted Bishop Rubaramira’s retirement from the pastoral leadership of Kabale Diocese on July 15 and appointed Monsignor Gubazire as his successor.
The Bishop of Muhabura Diocese, Rt. Rev. Godfrey Mbitse, thanked Rubaramira for his cooperation and service to the people of Kigezi.
Mbitse also called on religious leaders to maintain their cooperation and continue working together in serving God and the community.
The Dean of Mutorere Deanery, Rev. Fr Joseph Sebatware, commended the retiring bishop for development projects initiated during his tenure, saying they have contributed to improving livelihoods and reducing poverty in the deanery.
Meanwhile, Kisoro District Khadhi Sheikh Ali Mwesigye urged Bishop Rubaramira to continue serving the nation even after retiring from active church leadership.
Mwesigye highlighted the cooperation among religious leaders in Kigezi, saying it remains important in promoting the wellbeing of communities.
Who is Bishop-elect Bonaventure Bosco Gubazire?
Born on March 3, 1974, in Kitumba in Kabale Diocese, Monsignor Bonaventure Bosco Gubazire attended St. Paul’s Minor Seminary in Rushoroza before pursuing studies in philosophy and theology.
He obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Religious Studies from the Philosophy Centre in Jinja and a Bachelor of Theology from the Institut Catholique in Toulouse, France.
Monsignor Gubazire joined the Missionaries of Africa, commonly known as the White Fathers, and was ordained a priest on August 10, 2003.
He later obtained a Licentiate in Philosophy from the Milltown Institute of Philosophy in Dublin, Ireland, and a Doctorate in Philosophy from the University of San Carlos in Cebu, Philippines.
He also holds a certificate in Formation of Formators and Spiritual Accompaniment from the Centre Spirituel Jésuite Le Châtelard in Lyon, France, and undertook biblical formation at St. Anne’s Formation Centre in Jerusalem.
Extensive missionary and academic experience
Monsignor Gubazire has served in several missionary, academic and leadership positions across Africa, Europe and Asia.
His assignments have included serving as Parish Vicar at Nossa Senhora de Fatima Parish in Murraça, Mozambique, Director of the School for Adult Formation in Murraça and Caia, and a member of the Council of the Mozambican Section of the Missionaries of Africa.
He also served as Professor and Dean of Studies at the Lechaptois Formation House in Balaka, Malawi, and as the delegate for the Protection of Minors for the Malawi Section of the Missionaries of Africa.
In the Philippines, Monsignor Gubazire served as Interim Rector of the Lechaptois Formation House, Coordinator and Chaplain of the Friends of the Missionaries of Africa, Rector of the Our Lady of Africa Formation House Seminary in Cebu, and a member of the Council of the Asia Section of the Missionaries of Africa.
Before his appointment as Bishop of Kabale, he was serving in Ghana as Dean of Studies at the Spiritan University College in Ejisu, Rector of the St. Martin of Tours Formation House in Ejisu, and a member of the Provincial Council of the Ghana-Nigeria Province of the Missionaries of Africa.
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