Kabale Bishop sacks priest over alleged financial irregularities

Kampala, Uganda | INDEPENDENT | Bishop of Kabale Diocese, Reverend Calistus Rubaramira, has suspended Father Ignatius Arinaitwe over allegations of financial irregularities and fraud.

Fr. Arinaitwe works in the administrative department at the diocesan headquarters. He is also the founder and executive director of Good Samaritan Ministries for Batwa Action (GSMBA); It is a non-profit, community-based organization that advocates for the rights of inferior and marginalized groups, particularly the Batwa (Pygmies).

In the letter dated November 14, 2024, signed by Rubaramira himself, the accusations against Father Arinaitwe refer to the law. The letter forbids Fr. Arinaitwe fulfills his priestly ministry both in the Diocese of Kabale and outside dioceses within and outside Uganda.

Part of the letter reads as follows: “I regret to inform you that I have dismissed the above-mentioned priest, citing Canons ranging from financial impropriety to financial fraud. Fr. The fiery Arinaitwe is prohibited from performing priestly ministry both in this Diocese of Kabale and in other dioceses within and outside Uganda. “I ask for your kind prayers for this priest so that he may reflect seriously on his commitment to the priesthood and the serious consequences of his crimes.”

The letter was also copied to His Excellency Archbishop Luigi Bianco, Apostolic Nuncio of Uganda.

When contacted, Msgr. John Vianney Sunday, Vicar General of Kabale Diocese confirmed that the suspension letter was genuine. But on Sunday he asked our correspondent to write the article with some kind of reservation so that the accused priest would not be exposed naked.

Although the suspension letter did not provide detailed information about the accusations of financial irregularities and fraud, sources in the diocese revealed to our correspondent that the priest had been under fire for the last two years and was suspected of using his status to obtain loans from various businessmen. Moneylenders in Mutorere deanery (Kisoro), Makiro deanery (Kanungu) and Kabale, where he previously served, but cannot pay his debt. Some of the affected members of the public would frequently storm the Bishop’s office to find the priest demanding their money.

Our reporter was unable to obtain comment from Fr. Since Arinaitwe mobile phones were turned off.

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