Evarist House, Rising from Ashes

(2025) It was mid-June and I just returned from a glorious trip to Uganda where, for the first time, I was able to celebrate the Ugandan Martyr's Day in Kampala. A few days later, Fr. Emmanuel Katabaazi, my longtime colleague and host in Uganda, arrived in Buffalo for a few weeks. From his room he rushed in to me with a photo and video of a most distressing site.

"This looks like Evarist House," he announced. I was hoping and praying that it wasn't but soon word arrived confirming our suspicions. My American mind immediately stepped in: "Where is the Fire Department?" Well there is no "Fire Department,' nor pressurized water sources and few fire extinguishers.

So difficult was it to view the video and see photos of the destruction of a section of the dormitory. My only consolation was that the fire engulfed 1/4 of the dormitory complex.

My thoughts returned to the great joy in 2008 when we celebrated the opening of “Evarist House,” named in honor of the late Fr. Evarist Lubega, a Masaka Diocesan priest who lived in Buffalo for nine months and whose friendship began ROTA’s International outreach.

Historically, our first project was a huge cistern well on the campus of St. Charles Lwanga Butende Technical Institute (BTI).

The added clean water increased the number of female students entering the tailoring program. Because BTI was   majorly  a male    campus, a plea come from our friend Fr. Evarist and ROTA began a campaign to build a female dormitory. We then experienced the untimely death of the 45 year old Fr. Evarist Lubega on May 1, 2005. The dormitory project was completed in 2008 and dedicated as "Evarist House."

In consultation with Achillis Mawanda, the principal, we learned that none of the students were injured but the personal belongings of all twenty-six female students were lost in the fire and the building badly damaged. The cause was determined to be an electrical issue. Through the generosity of specific donors we had acquired the funds to personally assist the twenty-six female students who lost all their belongings. God bless our benefactors.

We also have received the estimate for repair of the building that required just over $10,000 USD. We remained committed to restoring this most valuable female dormitory that was named after our most beloved friend, the late Fr. Evarist Lubega. Letters of emergency appeal were sent to a number of Church related HOPE FUNDS, our friends at Rotary Clarence, and individual donors. Praise the Lord! The response was miraculous.

Fr. Ron receiving a substantial contribution from the Clarence Rotary Club. This, in addition to the various HOPE FUNDS made miracles happen.

After communicating word forward to BTI's principal, as well as wiring a first installment of funding, the work of rebuilding began.

A special blessing come upon all of our individual donors. Blessings as well to all who made some substantial gifts of support possible: The Clarence Rotary Club, as well as the individual HOPE FUNDS from St. Vincent de Paul in Springbook, St. Martin of Tours in South Buffalo, and SS. Columba Brigid in Buffalo. Thanks for being part of a miracle for BTI.