Daniel Comboni
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Transfer of the Palorinya Community from the Province of South Sudan to the Province of Uganda
Saturday, February 28, 2026
On 1st January 2026, the community of Palorinya was officially transferred from the Province of South Sudan to the Province of Uganda. The handover took place during a solemn Eucharistic celebration presided over by Fr Onzima Moses, a diocesan priest appointed by the bishop as parish priest of the Palorinya sub-parish, representing the diocese.
Concelebrating were Fr Gregor Schmidt (Provincial Superior of South Sudan), Fr Kibira Anthony Kimbowa (Provincial Superior of Uganda), Fr Abraham Hailu, representing the Comboni community of Palorinya, and Fr Ngbo Fufunga Justin (from the community of Lomin, in South Sudan). Also present were the other two members of the Comboni community of Palorinya: Br Erich Fischnaller and Br Lawrence Okello. The celebration was attended especially by the local community of the Palorinya sub-parish.
The presence of the Comboni missionaries in Palorinya is linked to the arrival of refugees from South Sudan. As early as 1987, the confrères – especially from the mission of Lomin (Diocese of Yei) – decided to move together with the people until they eventually settled permanently in Palorinya. Here the Comboni missionaries took on the pastoral care of the refugees and started several workshops to provide vocational training for the population. Both the pastoral ministry and the training centre have had a significant impact on the lives of the refugees and of the local community. Pastoral assistance will continue in the 17 chapels spread throughout the refugee settlement.
The two Provincial Superiors, Fr Gregor and Fr Anthony, also paid a visit to Bishop Sabino Ocan Odoki, of the Diocese of Arua. It was a very enriching meeting, during which great appreciation was expressed for the long-standing presence of the Comboni missionaries alongside the refugees of Palorinya. Some aspects of pastoral collaboration with the diocese were also clarified.
We are grateful to the Lord and to the whole Institute for this opportunity to remain close to our brothers and sisters living in the refugee settlement, who truly represent one of the most concrete faces of the poorest and most abandoned of our time.
May our presence and our willingness to walk alongside these most marginalised members of society open new doors of hope for them.
Fr Kibira Anthony Kimbowa, MCCJ