The seminarians in Uganda are increasing quite steadily for the past few years, which is something to be inspired about. Currently, for the first year Aspirancy, the Uganda community especially the Jinja House is expecting eleven candidates. Five have already reported and the remaining six will be reporting this October. The second year Aspirants number six from the original eight. The Postulants are five in total. All in all, there are now 16 seminarians in Jinja House. Moreover, in Senegal there are two Ugandan second-year novices while in Congo, there is one second-year scholastic and three third-year scholastics. Thus, for this school year, there may be 28 seminarians in our Uganda community.

This is indeed a source of joy and a challenge. The Province is overjoyed by the blessing of vocation for the almost 60-year old community in Uganda. This rising trend in vocation will assure a continuing presence of the Congregation not only in Uganda but even far beyond its borders. However, there is a need now to immediately restructure the house of formation to accommodate our growing number of seminarians. More importantly, there is a need for SSS religious to help in the formation of these young future Sacramentinos. Though faced with enormous challenges, the community resolved never again to consider limiting the number of qualified applicants for acceptance. Since it is the Lord who is blessing us with vocation, we just have to accept them if they pass our requirements, because the Lord will provide for those whom he called.

Responding to the challenge of missionary work was not an easy decision for me to make. I asked a lot of deep questions of myself before I finally accepted the mandate given to me by my superior, such as “Am I ready for the work? Am I ready to leave my comfort zone and devote myself into this new but unfamiliar missionary endeavor?”

I know my character and I know that I take after my namesake. Thus I can say I am a man of adventure. I like adventures and I am passionate enough to discover new things, learn new things and set up the best perspective to reach my life’s vision with determination and courage. But the very reason why I was sent here is for me to discover my true vocation.

Ministering here in Uganda is like second Novitiate for me. I have more time for myself here compared to the very busy pastoral work I had been doing before coming here. I have more time for reading, studying, writing songs and other literary works. I have more time for silence, prayer and personal meditation and reflection. Although I also help in the pastoral work of the parish like mass in the Basic Ecclesial Communities, Schools (Primary, Secondary and Tertiary levels) and other various ministries, the workload is not too much and we manage everything with ease and passion.

The community and parish where I belong are very manageable. Life is simple and serene. Being in a third world country like Uganda, the great challenge is how to survive living on limited means. But then that’s where our creativity would emerge, and it is in overcoming these obstacles that we find achievement and fulfillment. It’s been more than four months since I arrived here in Uganda to minister and accompany my brothers in the community. There is a sense of urgency in everything I do: learn the local language as fast as I can,

understand their culture and live the way they live in terms of food, behavior, style, etc., learn to drive on the opposite side of the road and use their means of transportation like the ‘boda-boda’, even though there is a semblance of fear and risk. Seeing the way people live here would sometimes allow me to reflect on my own vulnerability, and the experiences would lead me to recall my own roots and life history. It is true that people who have much in life sometimes become wasteful, selfcentered and indifferent. Having wealth, power and prestige could make one feel superior to others. Going on mission here has been an eye-opener for me personally and I look with admiration at the people I’ve seen and met here. I admire the sincerity of their hearts, words, feelings and actions. I admire the way they treat people with respect. I admire the way they value family, community and tribe. I admire the way they express their faith and love in God.

I sometimes felt that I have lost track of my own life and just going with the tide. But this time I am at home with myself … I have found a new home here in Uganda. Rev. Fr. Ferdinand S. Tomo, SSS Missionary – Uganda, East Africa

I enjoy the company of the brothers at the scholasticate. My studies at the Catholic University of the Congo are also interesting with good and well experienced professors. The seminarians from the dioceses of the Congo and the religious from various congregations with whom I study are very encouraging. We have always had serious academic discussions helping each other out in our respective weaknesses. This spirit of collaboration is a very big boost.

However, the experience has not always been positive with ups and downs: The scholasticate Rector resigned when I was just a few weeks into scholasticate. Soon after, the General Spiritual Director became the Rector while the position he was holding remained vacant for the whole of the academic year. Furthermore, the new Rector has a different approach, which has resulted in some challenges that have not been resolved.

I found the Congo’s tropical climate more favorable than Senegal’s semi-arid climate. However, the political climate of DRC is always alarming. Although we freely move around, the fear of finding oneself in prison is not far from our minds, especially for Ugandans because of their country’s long history of playing dirty politics in the Congo.

Probably for me the greatest challenge is that of computers. We are in a university where all work is electronic. Some professors have even reached the level of teaching online. Consequently, each Province has decided to provide its students with laptops, a case different from that of Uganda. This has made our studies very challenging.

Other challenges include the poor living condition such as water problems (no water, worn-out systems, leaking pipes, etc), electric power problems (no assurance of full day power, which worsens the problem of computers) and poor nutrition, and the absence of the Rector because of parish work, which makes accompaniment difficult, among other things.

With all that and many others, we try our level best to persevere always, trusting in the Lord who calls. Adveniat Regnum Tuum Eucharisticum. (Br. KIGWANYE Emmanuel, SSS)