Catholic journalists visit refugee camp in Uganda

Catholic journalists and communicators met with hundreds of refugees at the "Kyangwali Refugee Settlement" in Uganda, a place that hosts about 140,000 migrants, mainly from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan and Somalia. 

The visit took place on Friday, July 14, as part of a workshop on "Effective Coverage and Information on Refugees and Migrants" organized by SIGNIS Africa and promoted by the Uganda Episcopal Conference and the Dicastery for the Service of Integral Human Development. 

In this inspiring gathering, the communicators were able to talk with some local civil and ecclesial authorities, among them was the priest chaplain, Fr. Josemarie L. W Kizito, who lives inside this large refugee camp at "St. Patrick's Centre for Integral Development", where the communicators were received with joy by hundreds of faithful.

The workshop organized by SIGNIS was held from July 10-16 in Kampala, capital of Uganda, and was aimed primarily at Catholic journalists, media professionals and members of civil society involved in the care of Migrants and Refugees.

Among the people who spoke at the seminar were Bishop Giuseppe Franzelli, President of the Media Commission of the Uganda Episcopal Conference; Bishop Emmanuel Badejo, President of the Pan-African Episcopal Committee for Social Communications (CEPACS); the International Director of SIGNIS, Helen Osman, as well as a representative of the Apostolic Nunciature in Uganda and the country's Prime Minister.  

The Prefect of the Dicastery for the Service of Integral Human Development, Cardinal Michael Czerny S.J., intervened in the opening session through a video message in which he delved into "the vision of Pope Francis on migrants and refugees" and shared some advice for media professionals.

In addition, the participants made a pilgrimage to the Shrine of the 22 Ugandan Catholic Martyrs in Namugongo where a joyful Eucharist was held.

From our special correspondent Mercedes de la Torre Cuellar.