Hundreds pay tribute to late Bishop Wamika
Archbishop Ssemogerere commended late Bishop Wamika for his remarkable qualities of openness, humility and approachability.
Nsambya Hospital lay a wreath on Bishop Charles Martin Wamika’s casket after a Requiem Mass at Lubaga Cathedral on Friday, October 23, 2025. (Credit: Juliet Anna Lukwago)
(L-R) Archbishop of Kampala, Paul Ssemogerere, Archbishop of Gulu Archdiocese, Raphael p'Mony Wokorach and Bishop of Kasana-Luweero Diocese, Lawrence Mukasa, lay a wreath on their colleague’s casket after a Requiem Mass at Lubaga Cathedral on Friday, October 23, 2025. (All Photos by Juliet Anna Lukwago) Pallbearers carrying the Bishop’s casket from Lubaga Cathedral on Friday October 23, 2025. Minister, Office of the Prime Minister (General Duties), Justine Kasule Lumumba, lays a wreath on Wamika’s casket.
KAMPALA - With grief painted on their faces, several bishops and priests remained composed as they walked behind the coffin bearing the body of Charles Martin Wamika, the Bishop of the Diocese of Jinja.
Bishop Wamika passed on at Lubaga hospital on Wednesday, where he had been admitted for close to two weeks.
The procession and requiem Mass at St. Mary's in Lubaga Cathedral on Friday marked the beginning of the religious funeral activities to celebrate the life of 72-year-old Wamika.
The requiem Mas was led by the Archbishop of Kampala, Paul Ssemogerere, assisted by the Archbishop of Gulu Archdiocese, Raphael P'Mony Wokorach, Bishop of Kasana-Luweero Diocese, Lawrence Mukasa, Secretary General of the Episcopal Conference, Msgr John Baptist Kauta, the Apostolic Administrator of the Nunciature in Uganda, Fr. John Njure Njeru, Fr. John George, Vicar General of Jinja, Fr. Gerald Wakabi, Chancellor of Jinja, Fr. Gerald Muto and several priests from different dioceses in Uganda.
Uganda Government officials and politicians, mainly from Tororo and Busoga, were led by the Office of the Prime Minister (General Duties), Justine Kasule Lumumba.
On behalf of the bereaved family, Caroline Kiwala described her uncle as a person who loved and supported his family.
Above all, she added, Wamika loved his God and served selflessly.
She recalled the 2023 Martyrs Day when Bishop Wamika led Uganda and the Catholic church for the national celebrations at Namugongo shrine near Kampala.
"In January 2022, his doctors revealed that he was unwell. But failed to stop his hectic routine. He trusted and prayed to God to allow him to lead the Diocese of Jinja to celebrate Uganda Martyrs' Day in Namugongo as entrusted by the Episcopal Conference. He was in pain, but was strong; he carried his load without fear. We thanked him a lot because he loved us," she revealed.
Kiwana told mourners that Bishop Wamika's condition had been handled by medics at Nsambya and Lubanga hospitals.
Eulogizes
Archbishop Wokorach
At the church, archbishop Wokorach said Wamika was a servant of God with many relationships with children and adults.
Archbishop Ssemogerere
Archbishop Ssemogerere commended late Bishop Wamika for his remarkable qualities of openness, humility and approachability.
He noted that the late Bishop Wamika was renowned for his dedication to service.
He said Wamika was a humble servant of God who cared for the poor and listened to the broken-hearted.
"He always guided his flock. Many of you still remember his remarks at Namugongo in 2023, he has finished his race with faith.” Archbishop Ssemogerere said.
Petitions are intentional
Minister Lumumba, who represented the Government, said that she is one of the people who received Wamika's spiritual guidance.
She revealed, "As a regular at the cathedral in Jinja, I learned many things from him. He told us that as you take your offertory, represent your petitions. He also taught us that after receiving the Holy Communion, believe and tell Jesus that you receive everything you want.”
She revealed that at the time Bishop Wamika was deployed in Jinja, Christians were split due to allegiance to rival political camps. But he united them when he "chased" politics out of the Church.
She revealed that Wamika set a lot of developments in Jinja Diocese. “And remember when we celebrated St Gonzaga Gonza day in Kaliiro, he asked the president Museveni to support them to complete the Seminary structures in Iganga, and the President will fulfil all the bishops' requests even if he passed."
Lumumba revealed that Wamika, who was her childhood friend, used to move 23km to attend church.
Jinja Vicar General
Fr Gerald Wakabi, while preaching, said that today we are celebrating Bishop Wamika’s life because of his gifts; he was an exemplary shepherd, he touched many lives, the young and adults.
“Imagine two weeks back, I was in one of the schools. A girl of P.4 came and asked me, "Father, how is our bishop? " We are missing him and his care, "I replied to her, he is getting better; that shows who Bishop Wamika was, a great man of God.”
He recalls that bishop Wamika was a legionary of Mary, a footballer and always used to make fun, a mentor and father to many, “We are going to miss him, we did whatever we could, but when the owner of the chain asked for it, you let him take it.”
He added that "The good example of Bishop Wamika should inspire us, very humble, approachable and could talk to anybody and could give good advice.”
Reports
According to reports, Bishop Wamika’s last public appearance was during the family day of the Diocese of Jinja in 2023.
It is reportedly said that he was operated upon on his spine and prostate at Nsambya hospital, but the post-recovery process was not managed well, and his life started deteriorating.
He was also flown to India for further treatment, where he spent almost a month.
Who was bishop Wamika
He was born to Bartholomew Wamika and Catherine Wamika at Namengo near St Anthony Budaka Parish in Tororo Archdiocese.