New Catholic women leaders urged to fight poverty, domestic violence
Mugerwa challenged the new leaders to first strengthen their own economic wellbeing so that they can effectively support women in their respective dioceses.
Some of the newly elected leaders of the Uganda Catholic Women’s Apostolate pose for a group photo after taking their oath of office. (Photo by Henry Nsubuga).
________________ The new leaders of the Uganda Catholic Women’s Apostolate take their oath of office before the altar and Fr. Benedict Mugerwa at the chapel of the Namugongo-Kyoto Retreat Centre. (Photo by Henry Nsubuga).
The newly elected leadership of the Uganda Catholic Women’s Apostolate (UCWA) has been sworn in with a call to champion efforts to fight poverty, domestic violence and other challenges affecting women and families.
The leaders took the oath during a three-day leadership and management training retreat held at Namugongo-Kyoto Retreat Centre in Kira Municipality.
Fr Benedict Mugerwa, the national youth chaplain, officiated at the swearing-in ceremony on behalf of Fr. Fredrick Tusingire, the national executive secretary of the Lay Apostolate Department at the Uganda Episcopal Conference (UEC).
Mugerwa challenged the new leaders to first strengthen their own economic wellbeing so that they can effectively support women in their respective dioceses.
“Leadership in the Church today is mainly challenged by poverty, not only among ordinary Christians but also among some of our leaders. I therefore challenge you to fight that vice first as individuals,” Mugerwa said.
Mugerwa also urged the leaders to revive UCWA activities in dioceses where the apostolate has become inactive.
He referred to concerns raised by the UCWA president, Mary Asumpta Gidudu, about the decline in activities in some dioceses and called on the national leadership to identify the challenges affecting them and help restore their programmes.
Domestic violence
Mugerwa also tasked the women leaders with addressing domestic violence in their communities, warning that economic progress cannot thrive in families affected by violence.
“Financial progress cannot flourish in a family eaten up by domestic violence. Therefore, it is your duty to reach out to different families in your communities and ensure that you work with other leaders to address that vice,” he said.
He further cautioned the leaders against rumour-mongering, saying internal conflicts and gossip could undermine the work of the apostolate.
“Always address challenges to the relevant responsible people rather than deciding to talk against each other. That habit can lead to the downfall of your entire leadership if it is harboured amongst you,” he warned.
The new leadership includes Sofie Mbonigaba of Kabale Diocese as vice-president; Beatrice Atim Opio of Moroto Diocese as secretary general, deputised by Gorret Kugonza of Fort Portal Diocese; and Irene Labwoti of Gulu Diocese as treasurer.
The provincial representatives are Rachael Nandalenge for Tororo Archdiocese, Imelda Muwonge for Kampala Archdiocese, Anna Lumumba for Gulu Archdiocese and Evelyne Nzige for Mbarara Archdiocese.
Addressing the leaders, Gidudu expressed concern that UCWA activities had become inactive in Jinja, Soroti and Arua dioceses.
She called for teamwork to enable the national leadership to extend UCWA services to dioceses, parishes, sub-parishes and villages through Small Christian Communities.
Florence Kwesigabo, the coordinator of the National Family Desk at the UEC, urged the women to strengthen their presence at parish, sub-parish and household levels to enable them to interact directly with women in communities.
She encouraged women to engage in practical income-generating activities, including vegetable growing, food production, livestock and poultry farming, to improve household incomes.
The UCWA leadership is drawn from a council representing the country's 19 dioceses, with two representatives from each diocese. The retreat ended on September 26, 2026.