The Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fort Portal, Robert Muhirwa Akiiki, has called for stronger efforts to combat domestic violence as a key step toward strengthening families and supporting national development.
Bishop Muhirwa made the remarks while opening a week-long Cana Seminar at Kamwenge Catholic Parish, which brings together married couples from several parishes including Kamwenge, Kicwamba, Holy Trinity Kitagwenda, and Nyakasura.
The seminar, which began on Sunday evening, is scheduled to run until Saturday and focuses on strengthening Christian marriages through faith-based teachings and family development programmes.
While presiding over Holy Eucharist on Wednesday, Bishop Muhirwa stressed that domestic violence continues to undermine household stability and has broader economic consequences.
“Cana members must take a leading role in fighting domestic violence, which continues to affect families and has contributed to nearly 30 percent of Ugandans living below the poverty line,” he said.
He commended the Cana Foundation for its efforts in promoting strong Christian marriages across the country, noting its growing influence within the Catholic Church.
“I thank the Cana Foundation for its commitment to building strong Christian families. Its work is visible not only in this diocese but throughout Uganda,” he added.
The bishop also encouraged participants to extend the teachings beyond church settings and into their communities.
“Extend the message of Cana to your communities. Let it be lived not only in church but also in homes and society,” he said.
The Parish Priest of Kamwenge Catholic Parish, James Isabakaki, urged couples to apply the knowledge gained from the seminar to improve their spiritual, social, and economic wellbeing.
“Use the teachings from this seminar to make decisions that benefit your families spiritually, economically, and socially,” he said.
Meanwhile, Aloysius Mugisa, the National Coordinator for Training and Formation in Cana, praised Bishop Muhirwa’s leadership in expanding the programme.
He noted that Cana initiatives have now spread to 12 Catholic dioceses across Uganda, strengthening family structures through faith-based guidance.
Cana seminars, organised within the Catholic Church, aim to equip married couples with skills to build stable, faith-centred families while addressing social challenges affecting households.
