Little Sisters of St Francis in need of sh7b to construct centennial monument

Apr 14, 2021

The Sisters have named the building after their foundress, Mother Mary Kevin Kearney, the popular Irish missionary nun who founded their religious institute.

The Little Sisters of St Francis carrying offertory during the thanksgiving mass (Photos by Mathias Mazinga)

Mathias Mazinga
Journalist @New Vision

The Little Sisters of St Francis (also referred to as the Sisters of Nkokonjeru), are looking for sh7b (seven billion shillings) to build a 100-room complex, which will serve as the monument for their centenary.

The building, Maama Keviina Spiritual Centre, is being constructed at the Sisters’ Motherhouse at Nkokonjeru, in Buikwe district. The Sisters have named the building after their foundress, Mother Mary Kevin Kearney, the popular Irish missionary nun who founded their religious institute.

Sr Juliet Nakayiza is the Central Regional Superior of the Congregation.

“Mother Kevin arrived in Uganda in 1902. Consequently, in 1923, she founded our religious institute, the Little Sisters of St Francis. So, in 2023 we shall be celebrating the 100th anniversary of our congregation.

One of the donors hands in his cash

One of the donors hands in his cash

“During her missionary ministry in Uganda, she established popular schools like Mount St Mary’s College Namagunga, Stella Maris College Nsuube, St Joseph’s Girls Secondary School Nsambya, Namilyango Junior Boys School, and several others.  She also founded hospitals, including St Francis Hospital Nsambya, Naggalama Hospital, Nyenga Hospital and Buluuba Hospital in Busoga.

“In recognition of the many great things that mother Kevin did for the Church and the country, the Little Sisters of St Francis, during the institute’s chapter, in 2016, agreed to build a complex in her honour. Maama Keviina Spiritual Centre will have one-hundred rooms. It is estimated to consume sh7b  (seven billion shillings). Despite the challenges caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, we still hope we shall be able to finish the project ahead of our centenary in 2023,” Nakayiza said.

An artistic impression of the sh7b Maama Kevina Spiritual Centre that is being constructed by the Little Sisters of St Francis at Nkokonjeru Convent, Buikwe district.

An artistic impression of the sh7b Maama Kevina Spiritual Centre that is being constructed by the Little Sisters of St Francis at Nkokonjeru Convent, Buikwe district.

The fundraising drive for the construction of Mother Mary Kevin Complex was launched at the Sisters’ Motherhouse in Nkokonjeru, Buikwe district on Saturday (April 10).

The Chairman of the Resource Mobilization Committee, Moses Ssennyonjo encouraged Christians and all Ugandans of goodwill to donate money and building materials towards the project.

“Mother Kevin came to Uganda when she was still young, just 27 years. She committed all her life and resources to the development of this country. Her daughters, the Little Sisters of St Francis, have promoted her great deeds in the field of education and health. Let us reciprocate her love and generosity by building a befitting monument in her honor,” Ssennyonjo said.

Earlier during mass, the chaplain of the Sisters, Fr Joseph Balikuddembe also asked Christians and all Ugandans to promote the projects and ideals of Mother Kevin.

“As we recall her beautiful works, we are encouraged to promote the ideals and values she promoted. She was a woman of modest education, just a nursery school teacher, but she ably accomplished many gigantic projects.

  Members of the Resource Mobilisation Committee for Maama Kevina Spiritual Centre posing for a photo with the Catholic priests after the thanksgiving mass at Nkokonjeru Convent, Buikwe district

Members of the Resource Mobilisation Committee for Maama Kevina Spiritual Centre posing for a photo with the Catholic priests after the thanksgiving mass at Nkokonjeru Convent, Buikwe district

“She fought ignorance and brought enlightenment.  She promoted public health. She established charitable homes and improved the conditions of disadvantaged people. She united people. As you marvel at her works, ask yourself what you have done to carry on her noble aspirations and projects,” Balikuddembe said.

The Chief Guest, Vincent Matovu Buntubulamu also paid tribute to Mother Kevin for her noble works that he said, boosted Uganda’s socio-economic advancement.

During the function, a total of sh130m (one-hundred and thirty million shillings) was raised in cash and pledges. The major donors included Moses Ssenyonjo (sh10m), Little Sisters of St Francis, Central Region (sh11m), Mpoobe Hardware (sh2m), St Francis Hospital Naggalama (sh5m), Engineer Simon Asiimwe (sh4m), Vincent Matovu (Guest of Honour, Sh5m), Sr Ritah Christine Nakitende (Vicaress, sh1.5m) and Constantine Mpuuga (sh1m), to mention a few.

Moses Ssennyonjo, the project’s Resource Mobilization Committee Chairman said the fundraising function on Saturday was organised by the central region.

He advised those who want to make financial donations towards the project to deposit the money on the account below:

Account Name: Maama Kevina Fund

(Centenary Bank)

Account Number: 3100080313

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