Fort Portal Diocese Celebrates Diocesan Social Communications Day

Fort Portal Diocese joined the Catholic faithful in celebrating Diocesan Social Communications Day under the theme “Preserving Human Voices and Faces,” as proclaimed by Pope Leo XIV. The celebration highlighted the importance of placing the human person at the centre of communication in an increasingly digital and technology-driven world.

The celebration was presided over by the Main Celebrant, Rt. Rev. Robert K. Muhiirwa, Bishop of Fort Portal Diocese. The occasion brought together priests, religious men and women, lay faithful, Church leaders, communication professionals, and other distinguished guests.

The theme, “Preserving Human Voices and Faces,” called attention to the need to safeguard authentic human interaction, dignity, truth, and personal connection in today’s rapidly changing communication environment. Participants were encouraged to use modern communication technologies responsibly while ensuring that technology serves humanity rather than replacing genuine human relationships and voices.

The event was graced by the Guest of Honour, Hon. Lydia Wanyoto, Member of Parliament for Mbale City, who represented Hon. Justin Kasule Lumumba. Her presence demonstrated the importance of collaboration between the Church, government, and society in promoting responsible communication and social development.

Fundraising for the Diocesan Printery

A major highlight of the celebration was a fundraising drive towards the Fort Portal Diocesan Printery. The printery is envisioned as an important facility that will enable the Diocese to produce religious, educational, pastoral, and communication materials to support evangelization and the wider mission of the Church.

The faithful, guests, well-wishers, and friends of the Diocese demonstrated remarkable generosity, with more than Shs 30 million raised during the celebration.

However, the entire printery project is estimated to cost more than Shs 300 million, leaving a significant funding gap. The Diocese has therefore appealed to individuals, families, institutions, companies, organizations, and all people of goodwill to contribute towards the completion of this important project.

The Diocese emphasized that supporting the printery is an investment in the future of evangelization and communication. Once established, the facility will strengthen the Diocese’s ability to produce and share materials that educate, evangelize, preserve the Church’s message, and give a voice to communities.

The celebration also provided an opportunity to reflect on the changing communication landscape. With the rapid growth of social media, artificial intelligence, digital platforms, radio, television, and other forms of mass communication, the Church continues to encourage communicators to uphold truth, integrity, responsibility, and respect for human dignity.

The theme “Preserving Human Voices and Faces” therefore served as a timely reminder that, even as the world embraces new technologies, communication must never lose its human dimension. Every voice has a story, every face represents a person, and every form of communication should ultimately promote human dignity, understanding, unity, and the common good.

Fort Portal Diocese expresses its sincere appreciation to Rt. Rev. Robert K. Muhiirwa, Hon. Lydia Wanyoto, Hon. Justin Kasule Lumumba, the clergy, religious, lay faithful, communicators, partners, guests, and all those who contributed generously towards the printery project.

The Diocese continues to appeal to all people of goodwill to join this cause. With the project estimated at over Shs 300 million, every contribution will bring the Diocese closer to realizing the vision of a fully operational diocesan printery.

Together, Fort Portal Diocese and its friends can preserve human voices and faces, strengthen communication, and build a lasting foundation for the Church’s mission of evangelization.