Kyengeza parish embraces environmental conservation
The function was not simply a conventional celebration limited to singing, dancing and eating. It was a productive event during which the stakeholders demonstrated their commitment to the parish’s revised vision and mission.
Bishopi Joseph Antony Zziwa (fourth-left) presides over the thanksgiving mass of the 25th anniversary of Kyengeza Catholic parish at the church at Kyengeza, Zigoti Town Council, Mityana district on January 10, 2026. Left is the Chancellor of Mityana diocese, Fr. Emmanuel Tamale. (Photos by Mathias Mazinga.)
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On January 10 (2026), St. Kizito Catholic Parish, Kyengeza, celebrated 25 years of its inception. The function took place at the parish premises at Kyengeza, Zigoti Town Council, Mityana District.
It was presided over by the Bishop of Kiyinda-Mityana diocese (who is also the Bishop of Kiyinda-Mityana diocese), the Rt. Rev. Prof. Joseph Antony Zziwa.
Bishop Joseph Antony Zziwa (wearing a skull-cap), Fr. Lazarus Kiggundu (third-right), Ggingo Kaberenge (left), Peter Ssentale (fourth-left) and other guests cutting cake in celebration of the 25th anniversary of Kyengeza Catholic parish on January 10, 2026.
Bishop Joseph Antony Zziwa (wearing a mitre) shares a photo-moment with some of the religious men and women who graced the celebration of the 25th anniversary of Kyengeza parish. 
The reigning parish priest, Fr. Lazarus Kiggundu, said the parish council, in partnership with Uganda’s Little Hands Go Green (a local NGO for environmental conservation), was going to implement a self-sustenance ecological conservation tree-planting project, whereby 25,000 fruit trees (such as avocado, jackfruits, mangoes, etc.) would be planted throughout the parish.
Kiggundu said that in future, the parish will set up a winery which will use the fruits grown by the parishioners as input. Once the project takes off, it will improve the income of the parishioners and enhance development in the parish.
He said the project will be one of the parish’s silver jubilee monuments. Fr. Kiggundu unveiled plans to complete construction of the new parish church.
Delivering his thanksgiving speech, Bishop Joseph Antony Zziwa highlighted the significance of Kyengeza parish, referring to it as the gateway to Kiyinda-Mityana diocese.
Lands minister Judith Nabakooba (right) with other guests during the function.
The jubilee choir of Kyengeza parish in action during mass.
He paid tribute to Fr. Lazarus Kiggundu (the parish priest) for his significant contribution to the parish’s holistic development. He also thanked the parish’s pioneers, including the pioneer parish-priests/curates, for the work well done.
He asked the parishioners to be more committed to the faith and also to work even harder to elevate the parish to greater heights.
“As we celebrate 25 years of this parish, let us renew our commitment to our Catholic faith. Let us not simply pay lip service to it. Let us commit ourselves to the commandments of God. Let us promote vocations to priesthood and consecrated life. Let us practice the virtues of love, humility and compassion. Let us journey together as pilgrims of hope,” Zziwa said.
Pope Leo honours Kyengeza
Pope Leo XIV congratulated the Christians of St. Kizito Catholic Parish, Kyengeza, and imparted his Apostolic Blessing on the parish as a pledge of abundant divine graces. The parchment of the Papal Blessing was declared by the Chancellor of Kiyinda-Mityana Diocese, Fr. Emmanuel Tamale. It was then handed over to Fr. Kiggundu.
The choir of Kyengeza parish in action during mass.