Lira Diocese seeks sh2b for golden jubilee celebrations

Uganda Martyrs Cathedral Church

Lira Catholic Diocese is seeking sh2b to organise celebrations to mark 50 years of existence.

According to the chairperson of the golden jubilee organising committee, Msgr. Fr. Desiderius Pule, sh2b will be spent on renovating Uganda Martyrs Cathedral, monuments, the Bishop's residence and in organising the function.

Pule who is also the diocesan vicar general confirmed that the construction work has already kicked off with the structural testing of the cathedral, which he said is being done by a team of engineers from works ministry.

Bishop Joseph Franzelli

When the Golden Jubilee preparation was launched by Bishop Joseph Franzelli on Easter Day in April, two committees were formed including finance and resource mobilisation and pastoral and spiritual planning that later.

As time went on, a number of sub committees cropped up, including technical and construction, Biblical and postulate, justice and peace committee among others.

The organising committee has now embarked on a fundraising drive to raise funds through selling of branded items such as pens, caps, stickers and T-shirts.

Bishop Joseph Franzelli also recently sent contribution forms to Parliament for legislators and ministers who may wish to support the jubilee celebration.   

The chairperson of the finance sub-committee, Francis Ogema Awany said they have raised some money already.

Ogema s optimistic that the celebration will be a success.

In an attempt to meet the overall budget, the resource mobilisation committee has been set and tasked with organising a fundraising which is scheduled for November 18.  President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is expected to be the chief auctioneer.

Lira Diocese was carved out of Gulu Diocese and officially began operations on July 12, 1968. It now has 18 parishes and one sub-parish.