Former Radio Maria national director laid to rest at Kisubi
The Archbishop of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Kampala, Paul Ssemogerere, presided over Ssewava's requiem Mass at Kisubi Minor Seminary on Entebbe Road in Wakiso district on Monday (September 28).
Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere pays his last respects to Fr. Charles Lwanga Ssewava. (Photo by Mathias Mazinga)
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Tributes have been paid to Rev. Fr. Charles Lwanga Ssewava, the former national director of Radio Maria Uganda, who died at Lubaga Hospital on September 23, 2026, aged 71, following complications related to diabetes and high blood pressure.
The Archbishop of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Kampala, Paul Ssemogerere, presided over Ssewava's requiem Mass at Kisubi Minor Seminary on Entebbe Road in Wakiso district on Monday (September 28).
The late Fr. Charles Lwanga Ssewava, who was laid to rest at Kisubi Minor Seminary on Monday, September 28, 2026. (Photo by Mathias Mazinga)
He also praised Ssewava for his deep love and commitment to his priestly ministry.
“He put all the gifts that God gave him to the service of God and His Church. He spoke many languages, the reason why he was always invited to accompany Christians on international pilgrimages. He knew every nook and corner of Italy, and he acted as the tour guide for the visitors. He loved priesthood and was never shy about it. He preached the Gospel. He helped many people to experience the loving kindness of God by giving them the Sacraments,” Ssemogerere said.
Fr. Ssewava's classmates (the centenary priests), who included Msgr. Dominic Ssengooba (right), Fr. Joseph Muksasa Nkeera (second from right) and Fr. Joseph Mary Ssekalegga (fourth from left) laying a wreath on the casket containing his remains during the requiem Mass at Kisubi Minor Seminary on Monday, September 28, 2026. (Photo by Mathias Mazinga)
The requiem Mass was concelebrated by more than 200 priests, including Archbishop Dr Augustine Kasujja, the Apostolic Nuncio, and the vicar general of Kampala, Msgr Rogers Mukasa Kabuye.
A number of Ssewava's classmates and contemporaries, described in the original as the "centenary priests", also attended the funeral.
The family members laying a wreath on the casket. (Photo by Mathias Mazinga)
Ssewava was ordained a priest by the late Emmanuel Cardinal Nsubuga in 1979, the year marking the centenary of the advent of the Catholic faith in Uganda.
After his ordination, he was sent to Rome to study diplomacy. Upon completing his diplomatic studies, he remained in Rome, where he served the Church for 30 years.
Pallbearers carrying the coffin containing Fr. Ssewava's remains to the priests' cemetery at Kisubi Minor Seminary. (Photo by Mathias Mazinga)
Upon his return to Uganda in 2008, he was appointed National Director of Radio Maria Uganda.
In 2017, he was appointed to Kiwaatule Catholic Parish, where he served as a curate while also engaging in electronic media evangelism with Radio Maria Uganda and Radio Sapientia.