Growing up in a Mill Hill mission area in Uganda and experiencing the great works they did in these marginalized communities with great desire for primary evangelization has taught me to appreciate the charitable hearts they had for these abandoned outcast communities. The teaching and works of these very humble yet great missionaries most of whom dead, others working in the UK in the general council and others in their retirement homes, teaches me to carry on with the good works they did. I want to take a moment to honor and pray for Fr. Leonard Wiedemair RIP, Fr. Sylvester Odhiambo, Fr. Phillip Adede Amek, Fr. Ignatius Nshing, Fr. Joe King, Fr. Bernard C Phelan, Fr. Phillip O’Halloran, Fr. Gerry Hastie, and Fr. Declan Apalopus O’Toole RIP. The memories we shared are kept warm in my heart.
On 13th /05/2025, I led a team of friends, students and university staff to my home diocese of Kotido. These students have been very influential in my university life ever since I joined the University on 14th/ 02/2022 to pursue my Bachelors of Science of Education under the humble support of Panyangara Parish. At first it was hard coming from the margins and getting to cope up with students from first world schools, but later I did mingle with them, sharing my educational journey through magazines and meeting within the lecture classes.
My story prompted them to want to visit Karamoja, My story and that of the many young suffering people in the Karamoja sparked grieve in their hearts, but above all mercy to go on a mission to support the educational journey of these young students and children in Panyangara parish. This prompted us to start a charity organization called “DERRINE CHARITY FOUNDATION” advocating for the needs of the suffering children and elderly. Through this initiative we partnered with the university and the Diocese of Kotido. I also had the privilege of inviting His Lordship Dominic Eibu MCCJ, the catholic bishop of Kotido Diocese, in May last year to broaden the idea which for many years had been burning in my heart.
The vice-chancellor Prof. Patrick Kyamanywa with a few student leaders of which I was one at the time was delighted to welcome the bishop and to have a chat with these great minds. I remember vividly well the vice-chancellor challenging me to be an ambassador to those back home in his words he said: “Take UMU to Karamoja, in order to bring Karamoja to UMU”. That same year in august, I was able to persuade eight students to join the University through various scholarships within the diocese and region. The bishop also shared the challenge of mission in the diocese as most people were not educated, the church had a big role to play in education to see that the church grows. The vice-chancellor asked the bishop to bring even priest to pursue studies at the university to enhance their pastoral experiences in the missions. The bishop was delighted to visit his alma mater and invited the university to support the education of the children in the region through half bursaries in order to foster the growth of the church in the region.
This year on 14th /05/2025, my visit expanded to the diocese of Moroto, in Kangole girls schools, meeting bright, yet resilient young ladies with different challenges they face while in school. Their faith was steadfast, we shared career talks with them, after which we travelled to Kotido diocese where the Bishop was eagerly waiting for us at the pastoral center in Losilang. The Bishop was very delighted to welcome us and to bless us that evening before returning to his residence.
On 15th/05/2025, we led Mass at the Losilang parish; it was a solemn gathering being reminded by the prayers in the jubilee year of hope that encourages us to have the fire of charity enkindled in our hearts.
After Mass, we travelled to Pope John Paul II Memorial College in Kaabong district. Here we had a career talk, sharing our stories of university life and the education journey with students. After we shared with them the scholarship opportunities that the university offered, we also trained them on the use of reusable sanitary towels provided by a partner I got connected to through my university lecturer based in the United states called the Moon catcher project. It was quite a humbling experience traversing through the rough roads and tsetse fly infested areas along Loyoro road to Kaabong.
We later returned back that evening and had a social evening with the Bishop and Fr. Joseph Ogwal, a local priest from the Kapedo parish in Karenga District. It was a memorable experience. The bishop reminded us of the challenges we might face in our activities of charity and supporting the growth of the church, but he asked us to remain steadfast and pray for the graces of God in all our endeavors. He drew his argument from the teachings of Pope Francis who remained resilient and courageous in supporting those in the margins of society even in difficult and war torn regions.
On 16th /05/2025, we visited the communities of Panyangara and Watakau, where we met young children most of whom are studying at St Michael Nursery School. I thank Sr. Millicent Jerop, a Franciscan sister working in Panyangara parish. She has always journeyed with these young children sharing her missionary life with them. In these communities we shared snacks, shoes, clothes, books, pens, mosquito nets with these young children. We also met the elderly communities of both areas; we provided them clothes, soap, shoes, beddings and mosquito nets which were provided to us by Nkozi hospital in Mpigi district. In the evening of the same day at Watakau chapel, we had a friendly football match with the youth of Watakau where we defeated the hosts in a 2-1 victory.
This year’s outreach has been an eye opener, it has been very inspiring yet so challenging, while in this mission field. I was touched by two young children who I met at Panyangara parish, one called Moru, who is having mobility issues and uses a stick to navigate around. When he heard that I had come to the parish, he woke up very early from Napumpum chapel to come and wait for me at the parish. He however showed hopes of finishing schools where currently he is studying at Napumpum primary school. I was humbled to share with him a few materials I had carried along with me. I plan to procure for him a wheel chair to help him counteract the challenge of mobility and to attend to his studies without much stigmatization. I pray he remains resilient and he gets the support he so much needs to complete his studies.
Another young boy who is resident of Kalosarich, a place where Fr. Declan was martyred, also narrated his pain of walking using plastic bottles. These bottles have inflicted wounds on his legs and it’s quite challenging to note that he is undergoing much pain; his tale is that of domestic violence and parental neglect, this has always been a very saddening experience. His inability to walk without bottles being engraved on his legs is worrisome.
I pray that these outreaches and mobilization campaigns my help me support my community of Panyangara and Kotido diocese in the coming years.
I will be graduating later this year on 18th/10/2025, I am glad to note that the Mill Hillers have been pivotal in mentoring me and supporting me in my educational journey.
TO LOVE AND SERVE
Siligi Mathias Makoba
Diocesan Youth Secretary.
Diocese of Kotido.
