Catholic women leaders deliberate on climate change, gender violence

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The Africa Regional Conference of World Union of Catholic Women’s Organisations is underway at the Imperial Resort Beach Hotel Entebbe, Wakiso district.

On Wednesday, July 30, 2025, the participants, from various African countries, including Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, DRC, Uganda, Malawi, Cameroon and South Africa, discussed various issues, environmental destruction, climate change, faith, domestic violence, unemployment, poverty, armed conflicts and public health.

The delegates from South Africa upon arrival. (Credit: Mathias Mazinga)

Provincial Superior of the Comboni Missionaries in Uganda, Fr Anthony Kibira, asked the participants to encourage Christians and all people of goodwill to be more mindful of their responsibility of protecting nature.

Fr Anthony Kibira giving his submission. (Credit: Mathias Mazinga)

Lucy Vokhiwa, a member of the Board of World Union of Catholic Women’s Organisations (from Malawi), asked the participants to take the challenge of environmental degradation and climate change very seriously. She revealed that recently, one of the villages in her country was destroyed by floods, a consequence of environmental destruction.

Apostolic Nuncio (Emeritus) Dr Augustine Kasujja urged the participants to pray for peace in Africa, the Holy Land, the Middle East and elsewhere in the world where there is violence and chaos.

“We need to have a new look at our neighbour, because your neighbour is a person loved by Jesus, and is always capable of being transformed. The Lord does not stop to call us as he called Moses, and asked to remove his shoes, for he was standing on Holy Ground. God is asking us to remove our shoes of prejudices and past ideas, to advance peace with hope.”

“We need to create a sense of responsibility for protection of our environment. Education in schools should also help to inform the learners about integral ecology. Our means of social communication should also be effective tools for promoting integral development,” said Kasujja.

The head of the Catholic laity in Uganda, Gervase Ndyanabo, paid tribute to Catholic women all over the world for their dynamic contribution to the Church and society.

The Head of the Catholic Laity in Uganda, Gervase Ndyanabo, addressing the conference. (Photo by Mathias Mazinga)

“In most parts of the world, and even here, women are more active and organised. If we don’t see them on board, we fear things may not go well. We recognise your contribution to the family. You taught us moral values when we were young. You nurtured us physically and spiritually. You have guided us in the Church and the world. We thank you,” Ndyanabo said.

Sr Rosemary Nyirumbe delivers her talk. (Photo by Mathias Mazinga)

Catherine Nimungu shares her testimony.

St Kizito Choir from Old Kampala Catholic parish church leading the singing during mass. (Credit: Mathias Mazinga)

L-R: Florence Kwesigabo, Ndyanabo, Florence Namawejje, Evaline Ntenga and Maria Assumpta Gidudu sharing a photo moment. (Credit: Mathias Mazinga)

The conference was also addressed by the visiting President General of WUCWO, Lady Monica Santamarina, the Vice-President for Africa Region, Evaline Malisa Ntenga; the President of Uganda Catholic Women Apostolate, Mary Assumpta Gidudu, and the co-ordinator of Family Programmes at the Uganda Catholic Secretariat (Nsambya), Florence Kwesigabo.