November 18, 2023. The kind of day that doesn’t come twice.
A Saturday. But not just any Saturday.
It was a day the people of Kasese had waited for.
A day of hope. A day of healing.
The official opening of Mt. St. Mary’s Hospital – DOK.
The Morning Was Quiet, But Full of Life.
By 8:00 a.m., guests had already started arriving.
Some walked. Some came by car. But everyone came with one thing in common: excitement.
You could feel it in the air.
9:00 a.m. – A Mass to Bless the Mission.
The Mass began right on time…
Led by Bishop Francis Aquirinus Kibira, the Ordinary of the Catholic Diocese of Kasese…full of songs, prayer, and meaning.
We weren’t just blessing a building.
We were blessing a promise.
A promise that no one should suffer just because they live far from help.
A promise that care should be kind, clean, and close to home.
The Fundraising Launch: A Call to Action.
After the Mass, we moved to the next big moment:
Launching the fundraising for an ambulance.
Now, you may ask, “Why an ambulance?”
Well, in the Rwenzori region, some people still die before they reach care.
Mothers in labor. Children with high fevers. Road accident victims.
So yes—we need a hospital. But we also need a way to get people there in time.
The President of Uganda, H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, represented by Hon. Raphael Magyezi, Minister for Local Government, communicated.
“Let this hospital deliver quality health care to our people,” he said.
“The government will support this mission—including buying a brand-new ambulance.”
A moment of applause. Then silence.
Because in those words was more than a promise. The Big question though… ” Will that promise be fulfilled?” That remains to be seen. Because so many lives will depend on it.
The Guests Who Stood With Us.
This was not just a local event.
We were honored to host:
- Germany’s Ambassador to Uganda, H.E. Matthias Schauer
- Leaders and members from TOHIFU, TORUDES, led by Mr. Heinz Classen
- Hon. Kabyanga Godfrey, Minister for ICT and National Guidance
- His Majesty Charles Wesley Mumbere ( and his Wife), King of the Rwenzururu Kingdom
- Political leaders, church leaders, health workers, and hundreds from the community
Everyone had one message:
Let this hospital bring healing.
The March to the Hospital
After the speeches, the Bishop, the Chief Guest, the German Ambassador, and the TOHIFU team led a joyful walk from the cathedral to the hospital.
There was singing and cheering along the way.
At the OPD complex entrance, they cut the ribbon.
That one simple cut meant something big — the hospital was now open.
They toured the entire hospital.
Each step was filled with prayers, smiles, and hope.
A new chapter had begun.
But One Thing Is Still Missing…
We have the staff.
We have the beds.
We have the medicine.
But we still don’t have the ambulance.
The one that was promised.
The one that can save lives before they are lost.
So that the next time someone in Kasese or the hills of Kisinga needs urgent help…
We can say, “We’re on the way.”
You Can Be Part of This Story
Here’s how you can help:
- Give — every little bit counts
- Share this story with someone who can support
- Pray for this mission to grow stronger
Because this isn’t just about a hospital.
It’s also about the hope on the four wheels.
And together, we can bring that hope to life.
