Catholic Church celebrates 146 years of friendship with Muslims

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Catholics and Muslims have prayed together at Mapeera Memorial sub-parish church, Kitebi, in Kampala city's Rubaga division. 

The interfaith prayer activity that took place on February 19, 2025, was in commemoration of the 146th anniversary of the first-ever Muslim-Christian encounter, which also marked the birth of ecumenism and interfaith solidarity in Uganda.

Records of the Catholic Church indicate that upon their arrival at Kigungu Landing Site (in Entebbe municipality) on February 17, 1879, pioneer Catholic missionaries Fr Simeon Lourdel Mapeera and Bro Delmas Amans of the Society of White Fathers (Missionaries of Africa), trekked to the palace of King Muteesa I of Buganda at Lubaga, to seek his permission to preach the Catholic religion in his kingdom.

Muslims and Christian pilgrims praying together during mass. (Photo by Mathias Mazinga)

As they passed through Kitebi, they met a Muslim chief, Amir Ssekikubo, who welcomed them warmly and accommodated them at his home (in Kitebi). The encounter took place on February 21, 1879. Sseikubo did not only accommodate the two French missionaries but also helped them to meet King Muteesa, on February 23, 1879.

The missionaries stayed at the home of Ssekikubo for two weeks, after which they went and set up their first mission station at Lubya, Nabulagala (in Rubaga Division), where the Kabaka had given them land.

Every February 21, Catholics make a pilgrimage of faith to Kitebi, to commemorate this historic/miraculous event. The day’s activities begin with Mass at Mapeera Memorial Church. The Catholic pilgrims pray together with their Muslim brethren, most of whom are members of Ssekikubo’s extended family.

The church is located on the edge the courtyard of Ssekikubo’s home. The plot was donated to the Catholic Church by Ssekikubo’s family. After mass, the Catholic pilgrims join the Muslims in the memorial prayers (Duwa) for Ssekikubo.

In his homily during mass, the Rev. Fr. Richard Nnyombi (a confrere of the society of White Fathers) asked the Catholic pilgrims to emulate the hospitality of Amir Ssekikubo, who he said, demonstrated a deep sense of human solidarity in diversity when he received the Christian missionaries and treated them with deep love, respect and goodwill.

Rev Fr Richard Nnyombi delivers his homily. (Photo by Mathias Mazinga)

He clarified that ecumenism, or interfaith cooperation, was not a matter of choice but an important value of Christianity emanating from humanity’s belief in God's common fatherhood and humankind's brotherhood.

Sheikh Muhammad Murshid Luwemba also echoes the words of Fr Nnyombi, urging Christians and Muslims to live together in peace and harmony because they are all children of one God.

The Catholic mass was presided over by Fr John Mary Kibirige, a Professor of Moral Theology at St Mbaaga’s Major Seminary Ggaba.