Rwenzori, Apostolic Vicariate of

RUWENZORI (RWENZORI), APOSTOLIC VICARIATE of. - It is situated in the western part of the Protectorate of Uganda, embracing the whole of its western province. It was erected on 28 May 1934, with territory detached from the apostolic vicariate of Uganda; it is entrusted to the White Fathers, who already since 1895 had founded there a first mission station, that of Toro, otherwise called that of Virika.

It takes its name from one of the highest mountains of Africa, that is, from the one called in ancient times "Mountains of the Moon," today "Ruwenzori" (m. 5200), which lies within the boundaries of the vicariate. It comprises four regions (Bunyoro, Toro, Ankole and Kigezi), with an area of 18,190 sq km and a population of over 1,160,000 inhabitants. The territory, in the part toward the Victoria Nile and Lake Albert, is a high plateau (about 1000 m above sea level); in the southern part (Kigezi) it is mountainous. Although there are malarial zones, the climate is generally healthy and the nature of the place pleasant. Originally the region was inhabited by Pygmies (Batwa), of whom descendants are still found in the territory of Kigezi. Pygmoid are the Bamba in the northwest, the Bakonjo in the southeast, the Bahunde in the west. The present majority of inhabitants is Bantu, perhaps come from the south and bearing the name "Bairu": they are farmers. Catholics number 212,641 and catechumens 51,460; Protestants about 114,000, Muslims about 14,500. The vicariate has 19 principal mission stations, 15 native priests, 63 foreign, a novitiate with 36 novices, 11 foreign lay brothers, 90 foreign sisters, 1200 catechists, 212 schools. Catholic Action flourishes there with 2363 members and two periodicals, which have a total circulation of 1000 copies. The numerous Baptisms of adults (4423 in 1951) and the multitude of catechumens show that the vicariate is in full development. Especially in the southwestern part (Kigezi) a great surge of the populations toward the Gospel is noted. This is due mainly to the fact that there are no large centers, which are generally a terrain little favorable to Christian morality, and that the "Bakiga" settled in that region are a tribe of simple and honest people, without many pagan traditions, and have an energetic character. Several native chiefs are Catholics and convinced practitioners. There are edifying cases of apostolate exercised by them with regard to the other chiefs dependent on them.

Carlo Corvo