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The newly appointed Bishop of Kasana-Luwero Diocese, Rt. Rev. Bishop Lawrence Mukasa, has urged Ugandans to dedicate their families to God and not witchdoctors.

“There is an increase in the cases of domestic violence among married couples. Dedicate your families to God, He will fight all your battles and you live a peaceful life,” he said.

He made the call during the celebration of Kiyinda Mityana Diocese's 42 years of existence on Sunday, November 27 at its headquarters. 

The diocese was originally part of Kampala Metropolitan Diocese until 1981. 

The celebrations were held with mass animated by Bishop Mukasa, who hails from Kiyinda-Mityana.

Mukasa also condemned people who take their problems to shrines and witchdoctors who in turn send them to do evil activities instead of presenting their problems to God for an amicable solution.

The celebration mass was attended by people from different walks of life, including religious leaders, political leaders, and the church goers.

Rev. Bishop Joseph Anthony Zziwa, the Bishop of Kiyinda-Mityana Diocese, said that this was a memorable day in the history of their church and the people of the diocese, saying it was worth celebrating.

He noted that they have not only been celebrating 42 years, but also welcoming their son, Bishop Mukasa back home.

“Last year when we were celebrating Diocesan day, we were together with him as our Vicar General but due to God's anointing, he was appointed a bishop. I wish you God's guidance as you lead the people of God,” Bishop Zziwa told Mukasa.

He thanked God for the past 42 years and asked Him for blessings and guidance as they started the new year of serving Him.

Bishop Zziwa used the occasion to highlight the key achievements this year including the new gifts of six priests who were ordained in July this year together with six deacons.

The diocese, which has 32 parishes with 662 sub-parishes, celebrated the milestone with a few pressing challenges that include poverty, and diseases, especially malaria and HIV/AIDS, among others.

These challenges, according to Bishop Zziwa are the reason behind starting up income-generating projects such as dairy farming. 

He also noted that in a bid to combat the challenges, every parish was tasked to have at least three acres of a coffee plantation.

Judith Nabakooba, the minister of lands who spoke on behalf of other political leaders, congratulated the diocese on this milestone.

She implored the faithful to embrace government programmes such as the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga to help them improve their standards of living.