My name is Br. Tuhaise Fred. I am 31 years old and I was born in Ryamitamba Village in the Archdiocese of Mbarara, and I am a Munyankole by tribe. My parents are the late Gaston Kiiza and my mother Kobusingye Evangelista who is still alive. We are a family of 12 children and I am the 10th born. My father died a year after I joined the religious life. 

I started my education at a Catholic primary school, and eventually advanced all the way to university level at a primary teachers’ college, where I qualified as a primary teacher with a teaching certificate. From there I worked as a teacher at St Bernard’s Primary School, from which I left to join the religious life in 2016.  I am now a religious brother undergoing studies to become a Catholic priest and my wish and desire is to make a good and holy priest. Priesthood is the vocation I grew up admiring together with religious life. For a while when I was a child I could only see the impediments to joining the priesthood, when I saw how my parents used to struggle with school fees with so many children who needed school. My father was also a primary teacher who earned only a very little amount of money to sustain us and educate us, and my mother was a peasant farmer. I give them much credit for trying their best to get us the education we needed. 

I came to know about the Capuchin brothers through my older sister who is a religious sister in the Congregation of the Sisters of Mercy of the Holy Cross (also Franciscans). I thank God for the moment I became acquainted with the Capuchins. Though I was working, I had to quit my job to pursue my vocation which I am still doingl by God's sufficient grace. I am in love with St. Francis of Assisi, St. Padre Pio, and with Mother Mary because they have really changed my life through their powerful intersessions. I learned a lesson from my life story which is that with God, everything is possible because He alone is the Author of all good things. One should never lose hope in life. If I had lost hope, which I’ve had many reasons to do along the way, I wouldn’t be where I am now. I’ve come to see that losing hope is not justified by any reason when we are connected to God. 

For hobbies, I like reading spiritual works and story books because they touch lives so powerfully. I also like football and volleyball, both playing and watching, especially Manchester United. Also, I do indoor gym which helps to keep me physically fit and relaxes my mind. My favorite foods are bananas and millet with meat together with fruits.  

Currently I am studying at Tangaza University College Nairobi-Kenya, in my third year of Philosophy. I am being supported by my congregation, the Capuchins in Uganda. I believe it is through people of goodwill and love that I am here still supported by the Capuchins. Therefore, by God’s grace, peace and love, any support from someone who has read my short life story to know a little bit about me is lovingly and humbly welcomed as I look forward to starting my theological studies this coming year 2023. And I promise that your support will never be in vain. God will reward you in all things and I promise you of my prayers always. Thank you and may God continue to bless you abundantly. 

OPTIONS FOR SPONSORSHIP

$500/month is a full sponsorship, but we give options for multiple sponsors to join together to sponsor a seminarian. If a seminarian is already partially sponsored, you may see less options for sponsorship.

Br. Fred will be writing to each sponsor and praying for each family daily. Please know that sponsorship for his studies to become a priest (total of 4 years) is an enormous answer to his prayers and he will forever be praying for you whether you sponsor him partially or fully.