New Catholic priest ordained in Kumi, set for Italy mission

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The Bishop of Soroti Catholic Diocese, Rt Rev. Dr Joseph Eciru Oliach, on Easter Monday (April 6), ordained Deacon Christopher Olupot from St. Augustine Catholic Parish in Mukongoro sub-county, Kumi district, as a priest.

The ordination ceremony was attended by Rt Rev. Dominic Eibu from Kotido Catholic Diocese and Bishop Damiano Giulio Guzzetti, representing Moroto Catholic Diocese.

Parents taking their son Deacon Christopher Olupot to get ordained into a priest on Eastern Monday. (Credit by Delux Emmy Alomu)

Fr Anthony Kimbowa Kibira, the provincial superior of the Comboni Missionaries in Uganda, announced that the newly ordained Fr Olupot will be assigned to serve in Italy.

“Whoever accepts to be a priest should also accept to be a victim. So welcome to a victim book,” Fr Kimbowa said, explaining that there are temptations in every line of work, but one must remain strong.

During his sermon, Bp Eciru urged the new priest to remain steadfast in his sacred duties of administering sacraments, preaching the word of God, and providing pastoral care to the faithful.

Vice President Jessica Alupo handing over a gift to the newly ordained priest Olupot. (Credit by Delux Emmy Alomu)

“Use the gift of priesthood to build the kingdom of God. Cherish, guard, and use it according to the intentions of the donor,” Bp Eciru said.

He told Rev. Fr Olupot that priesthood is a divine calling and that he should clearly understand what he has entered into. It tolerates no mediocrity. Be sane and sober because you have a great task of saving God,” Eciru said.

In her address as chief guest, Vice President Jessica Alupo encouraged the community to take full advantage of the ongoing rains, the reopening of schools, and government livelihood improvement programmes to foster development in the Teso sub-region.

Alupo praised Christians for the peaceful elections recently concluded and affirmed the commitment to work collaboratively with the clergy for the betterment of all Ugandans.

Vice President Jessica Alupo tapping the blessings of Moroto Catholic Bishop shortly after ordination of Deacon Christopher Olupot in Kumi district on Easter Monday. (Credit by Delux Emmy Alomu)

She also presented an undisclosed monetary gift to Fr Olupot, commending his perseverance in his studies leading to this ordination.

Notable attendees included Christine Amongin Aporu, commissioner at the Uganda Land Commission, and Kumi resident district commissioner John Bosco Mubito, alongside other leaders.

Patrick Oboi Amuriat, president of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), attended the ceremony and extended his greetings to the congregation, expressing gratitude for the new priest and wishing him a fruitful ministry.

Who is Olupot?

Rev. Fr. Olupot was born to John Olupot and Jane Amoit Olupot of Ariet Otojima village in Kanyum County, Kumi district, on July 17, 1996.

Vice President Jessica Alupo poses for a photo with prelates after the ordination of Fr. Olupot. (Credit by Delux Emmy Alomu)

He attended Soroti Demonstration Primary School, Kabwele Primary School, St. Peter's Seminary, Madera, and Mother Kevin Senior Secondary School for his A-levels.

Olupot first encountered the Comboni Missionaries in Jinja after joining Mother Kevin SSS, where he served as the school’s religious prefect.

His formation journey began at Queen of Apostles Philosophy Centre in Jinja, a Comboni postulancy, in 2015, where he pursued a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and graduated in May 2018.

He later joined the Comboni Missionaries Scholasticate in Naples, Italy, where he studied theology at the Jesuits’ Pontifical Faculty of Theology of Southern Italy from September 2021 and graduated in June 2024.