By Benedict Mukoni
Every year, the Association of Religious in Uganda (ARU), organizes a month-long course for young religious men and women from different congregations in Uganda who are preparing for their perpetual profession of vows.
The 2026 programme, under the theme, “Embracing Unity in Diversity in Consecrated Life in the Synodal Church”, was officially inaugurated on 28 June at St. Mbaaga’s Major Seminary, Ggaba, with a Eucharistic celebration of the Holy Mass, presided over by Fr. Joseph Luyombya, OSM, ARU Executive member. It brought together 93 participants from 16 women and men religious congregations across Uganda.
This period of spiritual and personal preparation offers the participants an opportunity for deep reflection and renewal, helping them to gain a better understanding of the life they are choosing and to strengthen their life-long commitment ahead of their perpetual profession of vows.
In his homily during the Eucharistic celebration, Fr. Joseph invited the young religious to reflect on two key pillars that would guide their formation journey; Vocation and hospitality. Drawing from the day’s readings, he reminded them that their vocation is rooted in a personal choice to love and follow Christ most closely above everything else. He encouraged them to use the four-week course as an opportunity to step away from the distractions of daily ministry and community life in order to examine their relationship with God and rediscover the heart of their religious calling.
In attendance was also the Secretary General of ARU, Sr. Jane Yatuha, OLGC. In her address to the participants, Sr. Jane expressed appreciation to the Major Superiors for their vision, commitment, and continued support of ARU’s formation programme. Sr. Jane was accompanied by some members of the ARU Administration who oversee this program together with the two program coordinators.
During this time, Participants will cover different topics offered by different facilitators;
- Embracing synodality in the mission: conversation in the spirit synodal methodology
- Consecrated life and canon law: a pathway to fidelity, freedom and mission
- Mental health and human consecration: discerning and embracing god’s will for mission
- Missionary readiness for the religious in the synodal church: mission as a shared ecclesial responsibility.
During their stay, participants will also take part in enriching activities such as sports, cultural sharing and celebrations, and visits to significant faith sites in Kampala, including the Namugongo Martyrs Shrine.
Other activities during the four-week course will include; sports, diverse cultural day celebrations, touring of the Martyrs holy sites, among others.
