Hon. Ruhindi Recalls Role in Securing Land for Father Scalabrini’s Humanitarian Investments

Nakawa East Member of Parliament Hon. Fredrick Ruhindi has recalled his contribution towards helping the late Father John Scalabrini secure land for humanitarian and development investments, describing the Italian priest as a selfless man who dedicated his life to serving humanity in Uganda.

Ruhindi made the remarks while joining students, staff, religious leaders and other guests to celebrate the life and legacy of Father Scalabrini at Bishop Cypriano Kihangire Secondary School in Luzira.

Ruhindi said his association with Father Scalabrini dates back to the mid-1990s, when he was serving as Cooperation Secretary at the Uganda Investment Authority (UIA).

According to Ruhindi, Father Scalabrini personally visited his office while looking for land where he could establish investments intended to benefit humanity.

“I met him in the mid-90s. At that time, I was Cooperation Secretary of the Uganda Investment Authority. He came to my office,” Ruhindi recalled.

He said he was particularly impressed by Father Scalabrini's ability to connect with people from different backgrounds, recalling an encounter between the priest and his secretary, Eunice, who was from Gulu.

Ruhindi said he was surprised when Father Scalabrini began speaking to Eunice in Luo, a demonstration, he said, of the priest's deep connection with the people he served.

“If you want to know a person who loved mankind, Father John Scalabrini did,” Ruhindi said.

Ruhindi’s involvement in securing the land

Ruhindi explained that Father Scalabrini told him during their early encounter that he was searching for land to establish investments that would serve humanity.

The issue resurfaced years later when Ruhindi had become a Minister and Attorney General.

Ruhindi said Father Scalabrini returned to him to follow up on the land matter, prompting him to work with other senior government officials to help address the request.

He recalled working with the then Minister of Lands, Hon. Omara Atubo , and the Commissioner General of Prisons, Dr Johnson Byabashaija, in the process of supporting Father Scalabrini's request.

The team, Ruhindi said, eventually presented the matter to the President of Uganda, who supported the initiative.

According to Ruhindi, the Emmaus Foundation subsequently received 20 acres of land, which became an important foundation for several of the investments associated with Father Scalabrini's work.

Ruhindi said many of the developments that followed are now situated on the land, making him proud to have played a part in supporting the late priest's vision.

“He gave the Emmaus Foundation 20 acres of land... and I can assure you, most of these investments are residing on that land. And I am proud to be associated with that support,” Ruhindi said.

His account highlighted how the late priest's vision extended beyond religious ministry to creating institutions and facilities intended to have a lasting impact on communities.

A legacy built around service

Father Scalabrini, an Italian priest who spent most of his life in Uganda, arrived in the country in 1964 and was assigned to establish a church in Awach, Gulu, where he served until 1970.

During his years in northern Uganda, he also helped establish nine bush schools, reflecting his commitment to education and community development.

His legacy later expanded to several institutions and initiatives, including Bishop Cypriano Kihangire Secondary School, several primary schools, the Emmaus Foundation, Benedict Medical Centre, St Bruno Chapel and Radio Maria.

Father Scalabrini served as a priest in Uganda for more than five decades before his death at the age of 81.

Born on December 15, 1934, in Limido Comasco, Italy, to Tranquillo Scalabrini and Maria Pangani, he was the third-born in a family of four children.

Ruhindi's recollection placed his own contribution within this broader history, showing how government officials, religious leaders and other stakeholders worked together to support Father Scalabrini's vision.

Ruhindi challenges students to embrace education

During the celebration, Ruhindi also used the occasion to encourage students to embrace the broader purpose of education, drawing on the four pillars of education identified by UNESCO.

He cited learning to know, learning to do, learning to live together and learning to be as important elements in preparing young people for life.

Ruhindi welcomed Uganda's competency-based curriculum, saying it gives greater emphasis to practical skills and therefore supports the principle of learning to do.

He also commended the school's head girl for demonstrating her ability to communicate in several languages spoken in Uganda and East Africa.

For Ruhindi, the ability to communicate and interact across linguistic and cultural boundaries reflects the principle of learning to live together.

He urged the students to also embrace the fourth pillar—learning to be—by developing confidence and believing in their own abilities.

“You must believe in yourself and succeed in life,” he told the students.

Ruhindi's remarks therefore combined a reflection on Father Scalabrini's humanitarian legacy with a message to the younger generation about education, self-belief and service to society.

The Nakawa East MP said he remained proud of his association with Father Scalabrini's work, particularly the effort that helped secure land upon which some of the priest's major investments were established.

For Ruhindi, the story of Father Scalabrini demonstrates how individuals who dedicate themselves to humanity can leave institutions and opportunities that continue serving communities long after they are gone.