More than 40 priests from the 19 Catholic dioceses across Uganda have begun a week-long Chaplaincy Course at Uganda Martyrs University aimed at strengthening spiritual guidance and pastoral care in communities and institutions.
The third cohort of the training, which runs from May 18 to May 23 at the university’s main campus in Nkozi, is designed to equip chaplains with practical knowledge, values, and skills to better respond to the social and emotional challenges facing young people and wider society.
Speaking during the opening ceremony, the Chief Guest and President of the Uganda Martyrs University Alumni Association, Vincent Mutahunga, described the course as an important platform for counseling, restoring hope, and empowering chaplains to guide youth and emerging leaders.
He called for wider participation in future trainings, noting that such initiatives can help communities address both social and physical challenges.
The Deputy Vice Chancellor of Uganda Martyrs University, Rev. Fr. Dr. Christopher Mukidi, said the programme provides practical skills often not covered in traditional seminary training.
These include ICT and artificial intelligence, financial management, budgeting, project writing, planning, and mental health support.
Fr. Mukidi noted that the training is intended to help chaplains better respond to rising challenges among students, including suicide, drug abuse, and cohabitation, while strengthening pastoral accompaniment in schools, hospitals, and prisons.
He added that the university has already successfully conducted two cohorts and is working towards developing accredited academic and professional qualifications for the programme.
Fr. Mukidi reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to promoting excellence in education grounded in Christian values.
By Alex Magala
20th May 2026
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