A Week with God: Kasese Priests Complete Spiritual Retreat to Prepare for Uganda Martyrs Day.
Priests of the Diocese of Kasese have successfully concluded a week-long spiritual retreat aimed at renewing their pastoral commitment and preparing them for the forthcoming celebrations of Uganda Martyrs Day on 3rd June.
The retreat was held at Emmaus Centre and brought together diocesan priests from different parishes for a period of prayer, reflection, silence, and spiritual renewal. The annual retreat is an important moment in the life of the clergy, giving them an opportunity to deepen their spiritual life and strengthen their mission of serving the faithful.
The retreat was animated by two retreat masters: Rev. Fr. Dr. David Byaruhanga and Fr. Baluku Fortunate.
Fr. Byaruhanga, who serves as a professor of Sacred Scripture at St. Paul’s Seminary Kinyamasika and is also the National Spiritual Director of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, guided the priests through reflections based on the Word of God. His teachings emphasised the importance of spiritual discipline, fidelity to priestly vocation, and the need for priests to remain close to Christ in their pastoral ministry.
Throughout the retreat, the priests engaged in daily celebrations of the Holy Eucharist, meditation on Scripture, personal prayer, confession, and spiritual conferences. The sessions focused on renewing the commitment of priests to their calling and strengthening their ability to guide the faithful in their spiritual journeys.

Fr. Baluku Fortunate of the Capuchin Missionaries also delivered a series of reflections encouraging priests to embrace humility, service, and missionary zeal in their ministry. He reminded them that the priesthood is a calling to serve God’s people with dedication, compassion, and integrity.
Speaking at the closing of the retreat, some of the participating priests described the week as a deeply enriching experience that helped them reconnect with their spiritual mission and strengthen their brotherhood as clergy. They said the retreat had given them time away from the busy pastoral schedule to reflect on their lives and renew their commitment to serving the Church.
The retreat also served as spiritual preparation for the upcoming pilgrimage to Namugongo Martyrs Shrine where thousands of Christians from across Uganda and beyond gather annually to commemorate the martyrdom of the Uganda Martyrs.
As preparations for the pilgrimage intensify, the priests of the Diocese of Kasese are expected to return to their respective parishes spiritually renewed and ready to guide the faithful in the journey of faith leading to the national celebration. Church leaders have encouraged Christians to use the period before the pilgrimage for prayer, repentance, and spiritual reflection in honor of the martyrs who died for their faith.
The week-long retreat at Emmaus Centre, Katikamu in Kasana Luwero Diocese, therefore marks an important moment of renewal for the clergy of Kasese Diocese as they continue their pastoral mission and prepare the Christian community for one of the most significant events in the Catholic calendar in Uganda.