Over 9,000 Children Expected for Missionary Childhood Sunday Celebrations in Lira Diocese

By Dickens Aruca, Radio wa, Lira Diocese

At least 9,000 children under the Pontifical Missionary Society (PMS) from various parishes across Lira Diocese are expected to participate in this year’s Missionary Childhood Sunday celebrations scheduled for July 19, 2026.

The development was confirmed by Rev. Fr. Steven Odwongo, the Director of the Pontifical Missionary Society for Lira Diocese, during an exclusive interview with our reporter on the sidelines of a preparatory meeting held at Uganda Martyrs Cathedral in Lira City.

According to Fr. Odwongo, this year’s celebrations will be hosted by St. Peter’s Anai Catholic Parish under the theme drawn from Mark 16:12-16: “As a Child of Missionary Childhood, I Can Evangelize.”

He explained that Missionary Childhood Sunday is traditionally celebrated nationally on the second Sunday of July. However, in Lira Diocese, the event has been rescheduled to July 19 because the usual date coincides with a diocesan function.

Fr. Odwongo noted that each parish is expected to send at least 250 children, bringing the anticipated attendance to approximately 9,250 participants from 37 parishes and sub-parishes across the diocese.

He added that the annual celebration is intended to nurture evangelization among children and strengthen their participation in church activities, including leading liturgical celebrations, scripture readings, prayers, and other faith-based activities.

Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the Pontifical Missionary Society for Ngetta Deanery, Tonny Oding, said preparations for the event are progressing well to ensure a successful celebration.

Oding revealed that several planning meetings have already been conducted at both parish and deanery levels to coordinate participation and logistics. He called upon parents and guardians to support and encourage their children to take part in the event as a way of strengthening their faith and missionary spirit.

Church leaders have expressed optimism that this year’s Missionary Childhood Sunday celebrations will inspire children to become active ambassadors of the Gospel and strengthen their commitment to Christian values. The event is also expected to foster unity among young Catholics from across Lira Diocese while promoting their role in evangelization and service to the Church.

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