The dedication marked the end of a 19-year construction journey by the parish community. The event also coincided with 20 years since the parish was established in 2006.
During the rite, Bishop Rubaramira blessed the church with holy water, anointed the altar with Sacred Chrism, and formally dedicated the building for worship, entrusting it to God as a sacred place where Christians will gather for the Eucharist and grow closer to Christ.
In his homily, the bishop urged Christians to remain rooted in Jesus Christ, saying a fruitful Christian life is only possible through a close relationship with Him.
“Jesus calls Himself the vine and His followers the branches,” he said. “With Christ we accomplish everything; without Him we fail. Therefore, give Him your time — not part-time, but full-time. Come to the church, the meeting place with God, and encounter Him there.”
He further encouraged believers to embrace prayer, reflect on God’s Word, and follow His will, noting that those who abide in Christ become witnesses of love, faith, and service.
Bishop Rubaramira compared the new church to the biblical Tent of Meeting built by Moses, where God’s presence was revealed, saying it will serve as a sacred place for Christians to encounter Christ, especially in the Blessed Sacrament.
During the Mass, the Bishop also confirmed 229 candidates and challenged them to remain firm in their faith and witness to Christ in their daily lives.
“I want to thank parishioners, benefactors, and well-wishers whose prayers, generosity, and sacrifice made the church possible,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the Parish Council Chairperson Zepher Karyeija Byaruhanga, Vice Chairperson Mary Mariet Kemigisha thanked the Bishop for dedicating the church. She said the parish runs three secondary schools, seven primary schools, one nursery school with 104 children, 22 Hiikas, and 180 Small Christian Communities. The Christ the King Community SACCO now has 1,612 members with a share capital of Shs243 million.
Kemigisha said the parish will now focus on surveying land and securing titles, building a new presbytery, and strengthening lay apostolate movements such as the Legion of Mary, Catholic Charismatic Renewal, and Holy Family to deepen evangelisation.
She also honoured six priests who have served the parish since 2006, including the late Fr. Polycarp Ahurwendeire, Fr. Felix Eugene Odeda, the late Fr. Vincent Bagarimu, Fr. Mathias Kwehangana, Fr. Julius Turyatoranwa, and the current Parish Priest Fr. Vianney Byaruhanga, each of whom received Shs1 million in appreciation for their service.
Fr. Byaruhanga thanked the bishop for presiding over the dedication and confirmation ceremonies and appreciated parish leaders, catechists, Small Christian Community leaders, and Christians for their support throughout the construction. He urged parents to continue raising their children in the Catholic faith.
North Kigezi Diocese Bishop Rt. Rev. Onesimus Asiimwe, who attended the celebration, called for unity and peaceful coexistence among Christians across denominations.
“I call on believers to reject division and become ambassadors of reconciliation, mutual respect, and harmony to build stronger communities and spread the Gospel,” he said.