The Public Relations Office works directly under the Dean’s office. To bring to your attention, as the Deanery Cathedral Located at Kihande zone, Nyangagya Division, Masindi Masindi municipality nears completion and commissioning of it tentatively slated for 28^th August 2022, in the month of June numerous preparatory meetings have been held between the office of the Dean others stakeholders. The first stakeholders meeting was held on 10^th June 2022 at the Prime Minister’s Office in Kampala between the team of people led by Dean Raymond Kaija together with Rev. Moses Ahimbisibwe and the Principle Settlement Officer in the office of the Prime Minister Office Mr. Charles Bafaki. The meeting was aimed at devising means on how Deanery would have the Prime Minister Hon Robina Nabbaja to preside over the commissioning of a multibillion Cathedral, Launch of the ten year Strategic Plan and Bunyoro Cooperative Lutheran Community SAACO. During the meeting, Dean Raymond Kaija briefed Bafaki Charles about the Lutheran Church of Uganda and the ongoing projects that ranged from provision of vegetable seeds and farm implements to refugee camps, educational programs to construction of a multibillion Cathedral due for commissioning. To this effect, a copy of the Deanery profile was handed over to him. In his remarks, Bafaki was impressed with majorly two projects, the Construction of the Church building and that of provision of vegetable seeds and farm implements to refugee camps. He advised the office of the Dean through the Public relation department to always submit farm reports to his office. Charles further more advised the office of the dean to take interest in the government parish development model a program he says is intended to eradicate poverty among Ugandans including Christians. On the issue of hosting the Prime Minister for the commissioning of the Cathedral he promised to schedule a meeting with the Prime Minister’s Personal Assistant. The office of the dean was to follow up with him on this matter.

In the meantime, a second stakeholders’ meeting was held at Kloping Hotel in Masindi town. The meeting was between the office the dean’s and the political leadership. Present during meeting was the Chairman LCV Masindi District Mr. Cosmas Byaruhanga, Hon. Akugizibwe Aled the Member of Parliament for Buruli County and the deanery team was led by the Dean Rev. Raymond Kaija, the Deanery Secretary/ Coordinator Rev. Robert Wabyona, Rev. Moses Ahimbisibwe a visiting Lutheran Pastor from South western Deanery and Joseph Kiirya Wagoina the deanery Public Relations Officer. During the meeting, the two politicians were skeptical weather the prime minister will accept deanery invitation as the chief guest since she has frequently presided over functions in the municipality in the recent past. The due advised us to continue pursuing for her coming as whereas planning for an alternative Chief Guest. Among other alternative Chief guests thought of was the Minister Presidency Hon. Milly Babirye Babalanda whom the meeting later anonymously zeroed on as the alternative chief guest. Reasons for zeroing on Milly B Babalanda according the politicians include among others;

• Her possible availability
• She has never been to Midwestern region ever since she was appointed to that portfolio
• Easier access to the president himself.

Subsequently, the Dean in company of the LCV chairman Masindi district Mr. Cosmas Byaruhanga, the Education Coordinator, Mr. Albert Mwesigwa together with Public Relations Officer Joseph Kiirya Wagoina met with the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Masindi Mr. Emmy Ngabirano at his office. In his submission, Dean Raymond Kaija briefed the RDC about Lutheran Church of Uganda, a faith he said was very conversant with it and its activities including the Cathedral under construction.

The RDC in his words was also skeptical that Prime Minister would accept our invitation. He however, expressed happiness that of all other alternative Chief Guest we thought of his line Minister and Boss Hon. Milly .B. Babalanda. He promised to do whatever it take to see to it that she presides over the function. The RDC asked the team to extend the minister’s invitation together Church Profile and the strategic plan through his office. Successively, the invitation and two relevant documents were delivered to his office on Thursday 7^th June 2022.

In the same vein, another invitation was extended to Minister for Bunyoro Affairs. The invitation was delivered to the minister’s office based in Hoima City by the Joseph Kiirya Wagoina the Public Relations Officer and Albert Mwesigwa the Education Coordinator. The two invitations are due for follow-up this week. Away from this, other Church programs have continued normally across the Deanery. Ie Sunday Worship services, Sunday school, Holy Commission, praying and visiting the sick among others. On 2^nd July 2022, the Dean led a team of Clergy and the Deanery staff to Kikuube district to attend a fundraising drive for roofing of Blessed Sacrament Lutheran Church –Kidoma.

  At end of the day, a total of sums of 1.01 million shilling was collected both in Cash and pledges.   Compiled by Joseph Kiirya Wagoina Public Relations Officer (PRO) Midwestern Deanery.