Speaker Oboth calls for unity in Bukedi as Fr Owor marks 25 years of priesthood

Kibuku, Uganda: Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Jacob Markson Oboth has hailed Fr. John Richard Owor for 25 years of priestly service, describing his journey from a difficult background to the priesthood as an inspiration to young people and the wider Bukedi community.

Oboth was speaking on Saturday, August 8, 2026, during the Sacerdotal Silver Jubilee celebration of Fr. Owor, who has served as a priest since July 7, 2001.

The celebration, held at Kobolwa Primary School in Kibuku District, brought together religious leaders, politicians, Christians, cultural leaders, family members and other well-wishers to honour the priest for his service to the Church, education and the community.

Oboth congratulated Fr. Owor upon reaching the 25-year milestone and praised his contribution to the Church, including his involvement in Bible translation and ministry among people from different religious backgrounds.

The Speaker said Fr. Owor’s life demonstrated how difficult circumstances can prepare people for greater responsibilities, urging young people and parents to draw lessons from his journey, particularly the importance of education, perseverance and faith.

Oboth recalled his own experience of studying in a rural school and questioned why some local schools that once produced strong academic results were now struggling.

He urged parents and communities to take greater responsibility for the education of their children instead of placing all the blame on government when learners perform poorly.

The Speaker said Fr. Owor’s story should give hope to children growing up in difficult circumstances. “There is hope for the children of that village. There is hope for the people of Bukedi. Those who are suffering are destined for something big,” Oboth said.

Oboth also called for greater household wealth creation in Bukedi, saying economically empowered families would be better placed to support their churches and communities.

He said the region should explore more productive economic activities instead of depending heavily on activities such as rice growing in wetlands.

The Speaker, however, cautioned against protecting wetlands at the expense of poor communities that depend on them for survival, saying environmental conservation should be accompanied by alternative livelihoods to prevent vulnerable families from being pushed further into poverty.

Oboth also raised concerns about health service delivery in Kibuku and pledged to work with area MPs and relevant government ministries to pursue improvements.

He urged residents to support their MPs, saying leaders needed time to understand the realities of their responsibilities and work together to address challenges facing the region.

Leaders raise development concerns

Kibuku District LCV Vice Chairperson Bashiri Nangheje, who represented LCV Chairperson Hajji Nakeba Muhamad, used the occasion to raise concerns over the delayed completion of a road project in Kibuku Town Council.

Nangheje told the Speaker that the area had been allocated about 3.5 kilometres of tarmac, but the works had remained incomplete for about three years.

He said the road is located within Kibuku Town Council, where the district headquarters are situated, and appealed to the Speaker to intervene and help ensure the project is completed.

Nangheje also congratulated Fr. Owor upon completing 25 years of priestly service, saying his education, wisdom and service had touched many lives and contributed to the development of the community.

“We want to sincerely congratulate you, Father, upon celebrating 25 years of service. Your education, wisdom and service have touched many lives,” Nangheje said.

He commended Fr. Owor’s contribution to education and nurturing the younger generation and prayed that God would continue to give him strength and more years of service.

Kibuku District Woman MP Sylvia Damba Katooko also used the gathering to highlight challenges she said were affecting the district, including poverty, limited land, wetland dependence, education, health services and youth unemployment.

Hon Katooko called for special government attention to Kibuku, arguing that the district faces unique geographical and socio-economic challenges requiring targeted interventions.

She said limited habitable land had increased pressure on available space and forced some residents to depend on wetlands for activities such as fishing and rice cultivation.

The MP raised concern about government efforts to remove people from wetlands without sufficient alternative sources of livelihood, calling for a balance between environmental protection and the need to protect vulnerable families from deeper poverty.

Katooko also called for investment in education infrastructure, saying the district needed more classrooms and additional model schools to address pressure on existing facilities.

She further appealed for industrial development in Kibuku to create employment opportunities for young people, saying they need opportunities that enable them to become self-reliant rather than depend on handouts.

The legislator also thanked Fr. Owor for his spiritual support, particularly during her political journey, and congratulated him upon reaching 25 years in priestly service.

Kibuku County MP Herbert Tom Kinobere clarified concerns over the availability of an ultrasound machine at the district’s health facility.

Kinobere said government provided Kibuku with an ultrasound machine on December 19, 2025, but the major challenge was the lack of an operator and suitable infrastructure where the equipment could be fully utilised.

He said the equipment had been assembled but could not deliver its intended services without the necessary personnel and facility.

Kinobere therefore called on government to provide the infrastructure required to house and operate the equipment and deploy a qualified person to run it.

His remarks clarified that the challenge was not necessarily the absence of an ultrasound machine, but the lack of infrastructure and personnel needed to make it fully operational.

Dr. Patrick Godfrey Wakida, MP for Kabweri County and Chairperson of the Bukedi Parliamentary Caucus, used the celebration to emphasise the importance of preserving community heritage.

Wakida said he had a personal connection to the area and recalled his family roots and association with the Church. “I was also baptised in this church. I was told to preserve this place because this is where my heritage lies,” he said.

The MP also recognised the support he had received from women and other community members during his political journey.

He called for collective efforts to preserve the community’s heritage and traditions while improving people’s livelihoods.

Wakida also appreciated President Yoweri Museveni for commitments made to the people of the district and urged leaders to ensure residents benefit from government programmes and opportunities.

Fr. Owor reflects on his journey

The jubilarian, Fr. John Richard Owor, used the celebration to reflect on his personal and academic journey, particularly the role education played in transforming his life.

The priest, who has an academic background in history, encouraged young people to value education and pursue their goals despite challenges.

“Education is very important because your education is your life. I encourage you to pursue education and rise to greater heights,” Fr. Owor said.

He described his journey as complicated and recalled people who supported him during his education.

Fr. Owor particularly remembered those who helped him overcome difficulties in mathematics, saying the support he received contributed to his ability to complete his degree. He said his humble background and educational journey were an important part of the story being celebrated during his silver jubilee.

The priest encouraged young people to remain committed to school, saying education could transform lives and open opportunities.

He also thanked those who attended the celebration and asked them to continue praying for him as he continues serving God and the community. “Finally, I ask you to continue praying for me, that I may continue doing what is right and serving others well,” Fr. Owor said.

The celebration ended with prayers and messages of congratulations to Fr. Owor, while leaders used the occasion to draw attention to infrastructure, health, education, cultural unity and economic challenges affecting Kibuku and the wider Bukedi sub-region.