On Saturday, 10 October, the Province of East Africa celebrated the Priestly Ordinations of seven of its members: Fr. Philbert Mugabe, C.S.C., Fr. Isaac D. Makere, C.S.C., Fr. Deus Tayebwa, C.S.C., Fr. Enock Gabiro, C.S.C., Fr. Victor Akampa Musiime, C.S.C., Fr. Paul Killian Bajuta, C.S.C., and Fr. Richard Birungi, C.S.C.

The Mass of Ordination was held at St. Brendan Parish, Kitete, in Tanzania, with the Most Rev. Antony Gasper Lagwen, Bishop of the Diocese of Mbulu. Fr. Peter Caxton Mayanja, C.S.C., Provincial, presented the candidates for Ordination.

As always, a large crowd joined the Holy Cross community for the Mass, including the parents and friends of the newly ordained, delegations from the ministries where they have served as deacons, other religious and priests, as well as many of the faithful from St. Brendan’s.

Read more about the Holy Cross Ordinations around the world

Tanzania was chosen as the location for the Province’s Ordinations this year because the Province is celebrating the 25th anniversary of the expansion of Holy Cross’s ministry into Tanzania. In fact, it was at St. Brendan Parish, Kitete, where Holy Cross first arrived in 2000. There were many celebrations over the course of the year to mark the Silver Jubilee, with the Ordination Mass being one of those.

In fact, the newly ordained priests made their Final Professions on 17 January 2026 in a Mass held at Sacred Heart Parish, Arusha, in Tanzania.

To begin their priestly ministry, the newly ordained are serving at the following apostolates: Fr. Mugabe at St. Felista Parish, Utegi; Fr. Makere at St. Brendan Parish, Kitete; Fr. Tayebwa at St. Anthony of Padua, Nyasaka Mwanza; Fr. Gabiro at St. Denis Sebugwawoo, Konge Lukuli; Fr. Musiime at Our Lady Queen of Peace, Timboroa; Fr. Bajuta at Holy Cross Parish, Bugembe; and Fr. Birungi at St. Andrew’s Primary School where he will serve as Head Teacher.