Outspoken Fr. Gaetano retires after 50 years in ministry
He is known for publicly criticizing President Yoweri Museveni for alleged failures in combating corruption and advocating for constitutional amendments.
Rukiga: The outspoken Kitanga Parish Priest in Kabale Diocese, Reverend Father Gaetano Batanyenda, 80, has retired from active priesthood after 50 years of dedicated service.
Despite his affiliation with the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party, Rev. Fr. Batanyenda is known for publicly criticizing President Yoweri Museveni for alleged failures in combating corruption and advocating for constitutional amendments.
On Sunday, March 3, 2024, parishioners of Kitanga parish held a Thanksgiving ceremony at the parish headquarters in Kashambya sub-county, Rukiga district.
During the service, monsignor Rev. Fr. Dr. Vianney Sunday, Vicar General of Kabale Diocese, revealed that Rev. Fr. Marious Byamukama would assume the role of parish priest in place of Fr. Batanyenda.
Rev. Fr. Sunday acknowledged the challenges of administration but praised Fr. Batanyenda’s visible achievements. He also mentioned that Rev. Fr. Byamukama would assist in monitoring Fr. Batanyenda’s health until his last journey.
In his farewell speech, Batanyenda appealed to all well-wishers for a happy retirement to support his successor, Rev. Fr. Marios Byamukama, in continuing the parish’s development.
Fr. Batanyenda says that he requested retirement from the Bishop of Kabale Diocese, Rt. Rev. Fr. Callistus Rubaramira, ill health, and expressed his desire to be buried at Kitanga parish upon his passing.
“I didn’t do anything alone. There’s a very big community here in Kitanga. They supported me to do the work you’re all appreciating. I will always thank God for them. To the development partners, remember you were not helping me when you supported the work here.’’ He said.
Fr. Batanyenda added, ‘’You were supporting Kitanga Parish. Therefore, I hand you all to Rev. Fr. Marius. Please continue to work with him and support Kitanga. I have special thanks to Fr. Marius, who has taken care of me when my health started deteriorating due to age and sickness that came along.’’
He also appreciated Bishop Callistus Rubaramira, who accepted his plea to remain in Kitanga while he made several transfers.
‘’I was already getting old, and I told him I couldn’t be of any use to where he would transfer me. When I look back, I can only see God’s grace and the promises he has fulfilled. I thank you all for coming to this Thanksgiving ceremony. Fr. Batanyenda added.
Several leaders in the Kigezi sub-region have asked political leaders who become uncomfortable whenever religious leaders comment on politics to abandon this idea, as prelates play a critical role in society’s management.
Dr. Slyvia Tumuheirwe Alinatwe, the Deputy Managing Director of the National Water and Sewerage Corporation, thanked Fr. Batanyenda for his dedicated services to the church and his bold leadership as he spearheaded a number of many projects in Kitanga, as the parish has a fully fledged health center, two schools, a mega privately owned printery in Kigezi Sub-Region, and saccos.
“Rev. Fr. Gaetano has been very instrumental in the formulation of laws and policies that have shaped Uganda into what it is today, as his routine commentary on issues affecting Ugandans has been used as a reference to making policies aimed at uplifting standards and promoting equity and equality in this country, saying it is good and correct to celebrate him,” said Dr. Alinaitwe.
Tycoon Dr. James Musinguzi Garuga says that in the many years he has known Rev. Fr. Gaetano, they have worked together on a few projects for social services at Kitanga Parish. He’s a man of renowned integrity that now he is retiring from active service but we still needed him for advocacy Our country is still grappling with corruption and misuse of authority.
Roland Bish Ndyomugenyi, Rukiga County MP, praised Batanyenda for not only preaching the gospel but also promoting a saving culture among the public.
They commended his establishment of the Rukiga Savings and Credit Cooperative Society as instrumental in fostering this culture and acknowledged his efforts in fighting against corruption, though noting that he retired amidst persisting challenges with corruption.
Wilfred Niwagaba, the Ndorwa County East County MP, who is also the shadow attorney general, while speaking as the guest of honorasked political leaders, who become uncomfortable whenever religious leaders comment on politics to abandon this idea, rallied the clergy to emulate Fr. Batanyenda.
‘’All religious leaders should pick up the role to advise, critique, and guide the politicians who are charged with governing this country. As he asked, all All leaders should pick up the role to advise, critique, and guide the politicians.’’
“Thank you, Fr. Batanyenda, for being the voice of the voiceless and for never shying away from critiquing politicians and pointing out the wrong deeds. We’ll always appreciate the efforts you make to ensure there’s good governance and public accountability in this country. I challenge your successor, Fr. Marius, to take up the mantle and speak for the voiceless without fear or favor. All religious leaders should pick up the role to advise, critique, and guide the politicians who are charged with governing this country,” said Niwagaba.
“When you’re travelling across Rukiga by air, that’s when you actually see and clearly appreciate what Fr. Gaetano has done at Kitanga- Parish. You realize he has actually created a town in this area. We thank him for the developments,” added Niwagaba.
Pizzi Antonio, an Italian volunteer under the pastoral care of the Comboni Missionaries, recounted meeting Rev. Fr. Batanyenda in September 1983. Batanyenda appealed for help in establishing a health unit at Kitanga Catholic Church to extend health services to the local population. With the aid of the Comboni Missionaries, the parish succeeded in establishing a Health Center III.
Gad Owaruhanga, Chairman of the Kitanga parish council, and Alineo Bandaganiire, Kashambya sub-county LC3 Chairman, highlighted Batanyenda’s legacy of establishing four schools in hard-to-reach areas of the parish and subsequently handing them over to the government, thus extending education services closer to the communities.
Rev. Fr. Batanyenda was born on December 24, 1944, to Anantoli Tabwendero and Enfrazia Nyakweshe in Makiro parish, then under the pastoral care of the Comboni Missionaries.
He began his primary education at Rutenga Primary School in Rutenga sub-county, Kanungu district, in 1957. He pursued further studies in seminaries, including St. Paul’s Seminary Kabale and Ggaba National Seminary, before serving in various parishes throughout his priesthood tenure.
In 1994, I was a member of the Constituent Assembly, nominated by President Museveni among the 10 presidential nominees. In the 2000s, while serving as the Kashambya district councilor in Kabale District Council, I served as the district speaker.
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