The history of the Sisters of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Mbarara-Uganda has its roots in Canada Chicoutimi.  This is how it happened.

In 1937, the ordinary of Rwenzori Vicariate by then composed of Ankole, Toro, Bunyoro and Kigezi which is presently the Archdiocese of Mbarara – Bishop Francis Xavier  Lacoursierre, M.Afr. and native of Canada in Quebec was the first Bishop of Rwenzori Vicariate which was a vast Apostolic area.  He was inspired to request the Superior General of the  Sisters of Our Lady of Good Counsel of Chicoutimi-Canada to send labourers for harvest in this part of the field.

Sr. St Helen, the Superior General of the Sisters in Canada     communicated to the members of the congregation the news about the venture / missionary work in Africa, which was  approved by the Sacred Congregation in Rome of which Mother Boni Conseil had prayed and desired before she died.    “Now I die happily because I know my congregation will live…”  All the Sisters who felt a call to the mission land   submitted their consent to the Superior General. Out of a   hundred sisters, four were chosen. Namely

• Sr. Joseph Calasanz
• Sr. Redemptoris
• Sr. Bruno
• Sr. Leone.

They were prepared as missionaries mainly about the language of which English was not even their mother tongue.   Everything was going to be new for them. They arrived in Uganda-Mbarara-Nyamitanga on November 12th, 1937 with a warm welcome by the clergy, the Banabikira Sisters, the Christians and the Bishop himself was present.  The Sisters stayed at Nyamitanga for a short time, and later moved to Buhweju-Butare-Burigita, to    reside in the convent which was formally occupied by the Sisters of Mary Reparatrix.  As they settled in the Diocese, they divided their work as follows;

• Mother Redemptoris Regional Superior.
• Sr. Bruno Ass. Regional Superior.
• Sr. Joseph Calansaz Headmistress of Vernacular TTC.
• Sr. Leone Ass. Headmistress.

The Sisters were given African Banyankole girls, namely:-Theresa Kabanyogonya RIP, Euginia Kitungirwe RIP, Sr. Maria Fransiska RIP, Sr. Maria Helen RIP, and Sr. Maria Bwambizo RIP. These were to assist them in familiarizing with the culture most especially the language.  As they lived and shared with them their life, they admired and liked their way of life. Then the girls requested to join them. They said, “Nitwenda kuba nkeimwe ba Maama.’’ meaning “Mothers, we desire to be like you” On insisting, Sr. Bruno, the assistant Regional talked it over with the Bishop in Mbarara, and through the Superior General in Canada, a positive response was granted; that the formation of an African community begins.

The formation of an African community began with three girls who would later be Sr. Maria Fransiska, Sr. Eugenia Kitungirwe, Sr. Maria Roza Akuherenda.  They entered Postulancy at  Nyamitanga Cathedral on the Feast of Our Lady of Good        Counsel, 26th April 1939, under the careful guidance of Sr. Bruno their formator and from that time many girls from Ankole and Kigezi continued to join the institute.

The Novitiate team was composed of Mother Bruno – Novice Mistress, Mother Redemptoris and Fr Paul Mischeller, M.Afr.  to give lessons of those in formation.  The institute grew in    numbers as many girls continued to join and to be formed in all stages of formation.  Many missions were opened in Ankole and Kigezi to teach Catechism to the Catechumen, to teach in   primary schools, to work in orphanages, dispensaries and other places in order to respond to other needs of the Bishop in the Diocese.

For any institute to select leaders is a long tradition of the   Catholic Church; for the Sisters of Our Lady of Good Counsel, it wasn’t an exceptional.  After roughly 14years, though very young, the congregation was ready to be autonomous.  This   initiative or dream was through Mother Bruno together with the Sisters in Canada to prepare the Sisters to be independent.

In 1956, the Apostolic Administrator of Mbarara Diocese Fr   Dejordy, through Mother Redemptoris, officially requested for independence.  The new name “African Sisters of Our Lady of Good Counsel of Mbarara” was approved for the African      Sisters Institute.

In 1957, when Bishop John Mary OGEZ became the Ordinary of the Diocese of Rwenzori, he publicly announced the congregation as an indigenous-autonomous diocesan Congregation erected from the Sisters of Our Lady of Good Counsel of    Chicoutimi to become the Sister of Our Lady of Good Counsel of Mbarara.  This meant that, the Sisters in Uganda were to be responsible for their leadership and formation of its members.  From history we read that the Sisters requested Mama Bruno whom they thought was the right person to see them through the period of maturing.

In 1957, the first General Chapter was convened, the Superior General and her council was put in place;

• Sr. Bruno              Superior General
• Sr. Mechitilda       Vicaress
• Sr. Gertrude          Councillor
• Sr. Andrea             Councillor
• Sr.  Fransiska         Treasurer

It was called, The First African General Council of the Sisters of Our Lady of Good Counsel of Mbarara.

• Sr. M. Bertha               Novice Mistress.
• Sr. M. Roza                 Assistant Novice Mistress.

During the time of leadership of Sr. Bruno, the Institute grew in numbers and more missions, communities and institutions were opened in Kabale and Mbarara Dioceses.  These Included:

• The Mother house – Kyabirukwa
• Primary schools
•  Communities in Parishes
• Projects for the Sisters to survive on
• Formation and Education of members.

Maama Bruno led the Institute for 6 years, from 1957-1964 and it is from this time that she was named “Mama Bruno”.  It was on this foundation of faith and hard work that this Mama Bruno built what we stand on today and forever.  She was a woman of vision, faith, missionary spirit, prayer, deep love, humility, obedience and simplicity.  She was imbued with all these gifts because she was open to God and had surrendered herself to His WILL.

On April 26th, 1964 on the feast day of Our Lady of Good       Counsel, Sr. Anna Maria was elected by the 2nd General Chapter as the first African Superior General of the Sisters of Our Lady of Good Counsel of Mbarara. Sr. John Chrysostom Vicaress, Sr.  Felix Kakuru, Sr.  Cecilia Nyanzigye and Sr. Maria Fransiska as councillors.

After handing over the work of Leadership to the African   Sisters who were her children, Mama Bruno stayed in Uganda for a short time, later she moved to Rwanda- Ruhengere, then to Congo. She was also transferred to Tanzania and served under two African Local Superiors.  She also went to Rwesero Health Centre in Rwanda and lastly in Byumba, where she worked as a tailor.

It is from Rwanda, that Mother Bruno completed her missionary work in Africa and went back to Canada at the Mother House of The Sisters of Our Lady of Good Counsel of Chicoutimi.  She had come to Africa-Uganda as a newly professed Sister and left at the age of 82.  She gave us all her life for the glory of God.

In 1982 during the General Chapter, she emphasized as she was reflecting with the Chapter delegates about our beginning she said; “Nyowe tindimutandiki w’ekigombe hanu, nkeija kukora obutumwa.”  Translated as, “I am not the Foundress of this Institute here in Africa, I was sent to do the Mission”.

Mama Bruno expressed her desire in her last words as she was responding to obedience. “Kundiba nafiire, abaana bangye banziikye. Amagara gangye garyaha omu baana bangye”.  (If I die, let my daughters bury me.  My life is with my         daughters).

 She was called home by her Creator on 22nd February 1994 at the age of 86, having served 64 years of religious life, 47years in Africa-Uganda-Mbarara for the Sisters of Our Lady of Good Counsel.  Despite her humility of denying she is a Founder, from reflection and deeper study, the Institute continues to consider her as a Founder who became a channel of grace in helping us to share the charism and mission of the Sisters in Canada and integrate it in life.