Expert proposes retirement fund for Catholic nuns

An internationally celebrated strategist and governance expert, Dr Peter Kimbowa, has highlighted the dire need for Catholic religious Sisters (nuns) to have a sustainable retirement fund contributed by professionals, corporate organizations, academic institutions and, members of the business community.

Dr Peter Kimbowa delivering his remarks during the 3rd Mother Mary Kevin Kearney Memorial Lecture at Sharing Hall, Nsambya (in Makindye Division) on Friday, September 13, 2024.

“There should be a fund to enable religious Sisters to live comfortably even in their retirement.  A retired Sister should be able to buy and read her Bible. She should be able to buy her preferred shoes, soap or perfume,” Kimbowa said.

He gave his views during the 3rd Memorial Lecture of Mother Mary Kevin Kearney at Sharing Youth Center, Nsambya (in Makindye Division) on Friday, September 13, 2024. 

Mother Kevin was an Irish Catholic Sister of the religious Order of St Francis, who during her missionary service in Uganda (1903-1955) founded two religious institutes of women, that is, the Little Sisters of St Francis (locally referred to a s the Nkokonjeru Sisters, 1923) and the Franciscan Missionary Sisters for Africa.

Sr Seraphine Amulen (left) handing over a gift (for Archbishop Ssemogerere) to Monsgnor Larry Ssemusu (right).

She also founded reputable health facilities such as St Francis Hospital Nsambya, Naggalama Hospital, Nyenga Hospital, Nkokonjeru Hospital and Buluba Leprosarium. 

She also built great schools including Mount St Mary’s College Namagunga, Nkokonjeru Demonstration School and Stella Marris College Nsuube, just to name a few.

Dr Kimbowa encouraged Catholic nuns, in particular the Little Sisters of St Francis, to take advantage of modern information/communication technology to boost their visibility and consequently make their glorious ministry even more acknowledged and appreciated.

The Superior General of the Little Sisters of St Francis, Mother Rita Christine Nakitende giving her remarks.

Kimbowa expressed deep admiration of Mother Kevin referring to her missionary apostolate as holistically impactful.

“Mother Kevin greatly raised the profile and visibility of the Franciscan Sisters. She served with faith, humility and positive resilience.

She connected well with the community and the world of business. The Franciscan Sisters of today and their associates need to emulate her.

Dr Sam Orach delivering the 3rd Mother Mary Kevin Kearney Memorial Lecture at Sharing Hall, Nsambya (in Makindye Division) on Friday, September 13, 2024.

They should embrace technology to boost their visibility and connection with the world. The Sisters need to have a dynamic modern media visibility else people will not know them. They will also not know how to help them,” Kimbowa said.

“Going forward, we need to see the presence of government, the business community, Rotarians, the corporate world and the private sector, all represented at the Mother Kevin Memorial Lecture. Mother Kevin has many case studies. We need scholarships. We need a retirement fund for the nuns. We thus need a versatile data bank of Mother Kevin and the Little Sisters of St Francis. Let’s use technology to bring back Mother Kevin into the mainstream of Ugandan life. We need to know the past, but we also have to preserve the future,” Kimbowa said as he referred to Mother Theresa of Calcutta who he said had case studies in many business schools abroad.

Dr Kimbowa expressed disapproval of the term Bakateyamba (Luganda phrase for people who cannot help themselves), which he said should not be applied in the context of religious sisters.

The lecture was delivered by Dr Sam Orach (the Executive Secretary of Uganda Catholic Medical Bureau), who lauded Mother Kevin with even greater admiration for her contribution to the health sector, education and Uganda’s integral development in general.

He asked Church leaders and all those in the health sector to emulate and elevate Mother Kevin’s medical ministry/principles.

“Mother Kevin had a holistic approach to human development. She promoted healthcare, education, and spirituality. She never gave up on what she believed was right. She had self-assertion. She managed to challenge the status quo for the sake of health care. She stood on the pillar of humility, faith, resilience, and community work. She continuously innovated herself and the system. She exercised visionary leadership and resilience in the healing ministry.”

“We need to renew our commitment to health-care. We should rediscover the great role we play in the health sector. We should ensure that saving and protecting life remains a priority in health care. This requires strong visionary leadership with strong advocacy and lobbying skills. We need to get more women and men of faith into the health profession. We need to promote faith, and spirituality in health care,” said Orach.

“Church involvement should go beyond curative services. The focus should be extended to areas such as disease prevention and control, rehabilitation and preparedness to handle new challenges in health care. Let’s continue to strengthen our integral mission through self and world transformation. Still as we commemorate Mother Kevin, let’s self-examine ourselves. What have I done today that should remain a legacy? What is its wider impact on local society?” 

He added. In his message delivered for him by Msgr Dr Larry Ssemusu, the Archbishop of Kampala, Paul Ssemogerere also hailed Mother Kevin for her unrivalled charity and care for the sick and marginalized communities. He urged Christians and all Ugandans to emulate the good examples of Mother Kivin by deepening their commitment to the poor and the vulnerable.

The Superior General of the Little Sisters of St Francis, Mother Rita Christine Nakitende requested Christians to pray through the intercession of Mother Mary Kevin. She said the Beatification and eventual canonization of Kevin was progressing well and the only thing that Rome was awaiting was a proven miracle.

The lecture was premised on the theme: Health Ministry, A Call Mother Mary Kevin Never Compromised. The topic of discussion was: Mother Mary Kevin Kearney and Health Care.

The function was organised by the association of the friends of Mother Kevin and the Little Sisters of St Francis. It was graced by influential people from the health sector and academia, including the Chancellor of Uganda Martyrs University (UMU) Prof. Patrick Edrin Kyamanywa, Prof Ambassador Matia Ssemakula Kiwanuka, Dr Romano Byaruhanga, Prof Paul D’Arbela, and Prof Pius Okong (the Chairperson of the Health Service Commission), just to name a few.