Parish of Mt. Kizito-Kabila

The Kabila Parish is one of the parishes that make up the Magu Diocese, located 15 kilometers from the town of Magu in the Ndagalu Division. According to the census conducted in 2024, the estimated population of this area is 42,300 people. This parish was officially inaugurated in 2001 by His Grace Archbishop Anthony Petro Mayala, after being carved out from the mother parish of Magu. Therefore, in 2026, it is expected to celebrate its 25th Jubilee.

Within this parish, there is the Nghaya Sub-parish, which, due to the increase in population and development activities, will bring pastoral services closer in the future.

Structure of the Kabila Parish

  • The Kabila Parish consists of 20 subparishes with 72 communities.
  • The Catholic population in this parish is 11,200, including both adults and children.
  • The census was conducted for all Catholics who actively participate in church activities as well as those who have become weak in faith or have completely stopped attending services.

Leadership of the Parish

The Kabila Parish is currently served by one priest, Fr. Andreas Buhembo, who is the Parish Priest. He works together with 28 catechists, 22 of whom have received training in Catechesis at the Bukumbi Catechist Training College, while 6 are still undergoing formation and preparation for training.

The parish also has seminarians at various stages of their studies and formation. Additionally, there is one novice in the Benedictine Order, a Christian Assistance house in Kawekamo.

Parish Communication Bodies

  • Laity Council of the Parish
  • Pastoral Council of the Parish
  • Catechists’ Union
  • Parish Land Committee
  • Committee for Education, Catechesis, and Religious Teaching in Schools
  • Peace Committee
  • Mediation and Marriage Committee

Apostolic Associations in the Parish

  • WAWATA
  • UWAKA
  • VIWAWA
  • Pontifical Society of the Holy Childhood
  • Sacred Heart of Jesus
  • Pilgrims
  • Parish Choir Federation

Parish Assets

  • Church buildings in each subparish
  • Two farms: one in the Mwamagoli subparish and the other in Mwabulenga
  • Small mill for grinding and threshing grain in the Kabila subparish
  • Two priest residences in the Nghaya and Kabila subparishes
  • Church grounds in each subparish
  • One kindergarten in the Kabila subparish

Reception of Sacraments

Pastoral services are provided despite the challenges posed by the large geographical area served by a single priest. Mass celebrations are held in the parish and subparishes, visits to communities, seminars, and retreats, the celebration of reconciliation sacraments, services to the sick, and other pastoral duties continue. Various meetings are held as part of communication at the parish and diocesan level.

Sacrament Reception for 2024:

  • Baptisms: 625
  • First Communion: 125
  • Confirmation: 253
  • Marriages: 2
  • Deaths: 34

Achievements

We thank God for the achievements of the year 2024 as follows:

  • Parish unity in the execution of various church duties
  • Successful planting of trees in the parish farm located in Mwamagoli
  • Successful resolution of the land dispute in the Shishani subparish
  • Successful construction of modern churches in the subparishes, some completed while others are in the roofing stage
  • Successful purchase of 14 motorcycles for the catechists, valued at Tsh. 35,000,000
  • Two catechists were sponsored for further studies in 2024
  • Ongoing construction of a priest’s residence (one floor), with the foundation expected to be completed by March 2025

Challenges

Despite the achievements listed above, the following are some of the challenges facing our parish:

  • Many men not fully participating in church activities
  • Poor living conditions and poverty
  • Climate change
  • Land dispute in the Mahaha subparish
  • Parents failing to take responsibility for the upbringing of their children
  • Some parishioners not voluntarily contributing to diocesan and parish collections
  • Some parishioners mixing faith with superstitions (e.g., using "Monde" medicine with a cross drawn in charcoal at homes and businesses, leading people to believe it will bring success in life)
  • Some families abandoning prayer, claiming they are "resting" from prayer, thus deliberately avoiding their responsibilities as baptized Christians

Strategies

We have the following strategies to address the challenges mentioned above:

  • Each catechist in their subparish serves as a mentor for the apostolic groups, particularly UWAKA for men and WAWATA for women
  • Encouraging parishioners to form support groups and explore opportunities provided by the government, especially loans for special groups
  • Encouraging everyone to grow drought-resistant crops according to their local environment
  • Providing in-depth catechesis to help parishioners value their faith and become missionaries through their contributions and donations to the church
  • The land dispute has been brought to the office of the Village Executive Secretary of Mahaha, and we have made some positive progress
  • Encouraging parents to monitor the behavior of their children both in school and at home, and more importantly, allowing them to join the Pontifical Society of the Holy Childhood
  • We plan to offer various seminars on Catholic faith regarding the presence of God in all aspects of life

Conclusion

We pray for His Grace the Archbishop's good health as he shepherds and leads our diocese.

Thank you all, and may God bless us all.