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Bishop Kibira Calls for Women’s Empowerment, Financial Transparency Among Men
Men, especially fathers, have been urged to empower women and promote transparency in family finances, as empowering wives and mothers is a divine calling rooted in love, justice, and Christian sacrifice.
The call was made by Bishop Francis Aquirinus Kibira, of Kasese Diocese, during the Mass for the Members of the Mbarara Ecclesiastical Province Association (MEPA), which happened today, Sunday, 9th November 2025, at the Uganda Martyrs Shrine in Namugongo.
Drawing inspiration from the sacrifices of the Uganda Martyrs, Bishop Kibira reflected on sacrifice as the foundation of Christian growth.
“This expression of faith, the blood of the Martyrs, is connected to the historical reality that the sacrifices of believers have made Christianity grow throughout history,” he said. “It’s not just the physical blood; the little sacrifices you and I can give are what make the Church grow.”
He cautioned Christians against complacency in an increasingly comfortable world, reminding both clergy and laity that true discipleship demands continual sacrifice.
“Even for us priests, we may think we have sacrificed enough. Not at all,” he stressed. “As the Uganda Martyrs gave themselves for Christ, let us also learn to sacrifice what we have for the growth of the Church and the spread of the Gospel.”
Bishop Kibira urged believers to extend their sacrifices to acts of charity, particularly towards orphans and vulnerable children. “How many of you cannot afford to buy uniforms for ten orphans in your village? The Martyrs call us to give what we have to build the Church and support others,” he said.
Turning to the subject of women’s empowerment, Bishop Kibira called on men to involve their wives in family finances and decision-making, criticising what he described as “the selfishness, greed, and stupidity” of men who keep financial secrets from their spouses.
“If you are a man whose wife does not know where the family money is kept, Bishop Kibira is praying for you to change,” he said.
He narrated cases where men die without disclosing their bank accounts, leaving families destitute, while unclaimed funds end up at the Bank of Uganda. “Stop that,” he warned. “You earn money for your family. Empower women in your businesses so that even after you have gone, the business continues to support your family.”
The bishop credited Centenary Group for training him in financial management, which he said opened his eyes to the importance of shared financial responsibility in households. He encouraged families to adopt joint decision-making and signatory arrangements to ensure stability and continuity.
Bishop Kibira urged the faithful to emulate the humility and faith of Mother Mary, who accepted divine empowerment to serve God’s purpose. “Let us go home with Mother Mary as our guide and be witnesses in our families and workplaces,” he said. “Empower women, share what you have, and allow God’s blessings to multiply in your homes.”
The MEPA Mass at Namugongo drew hundreds of pilgrims and clergy from Mbarara, Kabale, Hoima, Fort Portal, and Kasese dioceses, accompanied by their Bishops and Archbishop Lambert Bainomugisha.
