Nyenga Seminary vice-rector Mukasa laid to rest at Kisubi

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Deceased Nyenga Seminary vice-rector Fr Emmanuel Mukasa Kawemba has been laid to rest at Kisubi Minor Seminary along Entebbe Road in Wakiso district. 

His February 4, 2026, funeral function, which started with a solemn Pontifical requiem mass, was laden with glowing tributes.

A spectacle of the funeral procession of Fr. Emmanuel Mukasa at Kisubi Minor Seminary on Entebbe Road, in Wakiso district on Wednesday, February 4, 2026.

Kampala Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere, who presided over the function, described Mukasa as having been a seasoned educationist and clerical formator. He also marvelled at Mukasa’s deep love and commitment to the Catholic sacerdotal ministry.

“He was full of love for the priestly ministry. He cherished and protected the honour of his priesthood. He had a deep understanding and conviction of the Catholic faith and values that he preached. As a long-serving teacher and vice-rector of Nyenga Seminary, he taught generations of seminarians. He was a very organised and very inspiring director of ecclesial ceremonies. We thank him for all the good work he has done.  He represented Kampala Archdiocese well at Lugazi Diocese. We thank him for being a good missionary,” Ssemogerere said.

Nyenga Seminary rector Fr Eugene Safari said Mukasa had been a passionate workaholic. Even when he was very sick, Safari said he would insist on executing his duties, not only at the seminary, but also elsewhere in the Lugazi Diocese.

The Catholic prelates, L-R: Msgr. Dr. Richard Kayondo, Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere, Archbishop Dr. Augustine Kasujja and Msgr. Rogers Kabuye Mukasa paying their last respects to Fr. Emmanuel Mukasa during his Christian burial mass at Kisubi Minor Seminary on Entebbe Road, in Wakiso district on Wednesday, February 4, 2026.

“He did a lot of work, some of which was out of his official schedule at the seminary. He did ministry with the Legionaries, the Catholic married couples, and the youths, among several other Catholic groups. In fact, we had to seek the intervention of the vicar-general, Msgr Richard Kayondo, to convince him to drop some of the ministries he was doing, to save his life.”

“We are very grateful to God for the life and ministry of Fr Mukasa. He has loved his priesthood and ably guarded its dignity. He has helped many seminarians, including those that did not become ordained priests, to understand the importance of the Catholic sacerdotal ministry and the Sacraments. He has served with integrity. The fact that he died on duty gives us great consolation,” Safari said.

Mukasa's elder sister, the Rev. Sr. Tarsis Nammombwe, who spoke on behalf of the family, said the deceased was the heir of their father and the head of the family before his death. She revealed that Mukasa has been battling diabetes for 13 years, and before his death, he had also developed high blood pressure complications. 

Nammombwe also described him as a joyful, loving and humorous brother and family leader.

She surprised mourners when she revealed that Mukasa was so passionate about Nyenga Seminary that every time the family members tried to persuade him to spend a night at home, during his rare visits, he would not accept. He would instead sneak away, citing his obligations at the seminary.

Fact file

Mukasa was born on December 13, 1966, to the late John Mukasa and Anna Nankanja, who lived at Jjanya, Mawokota, in Mpigi district.

He attended Mannyogaseka Primary School (in Mpigi district), St Joseph’s Primary School Nabbingo, Nyenga Minor Seminary, Katigondo Grand National Major Seminary and St. Paul’s National Seminary Kinyamasika.

He was ordained a priest by Emmanuel Cardinal Wamala on August 9, 1997. 

He subsequently served as curate at Kiziba parish for one year, before being appointed to Nyenga Minor Seminary, where he has stayed until his death on February 2, 2026.

Christians from Mpigi Catholic parish laying a wreath on the casket containing the remains of Fr. Emmanuel Mukasa This was during the deceased priest's Christian burial mass at Kisubi Minor Seminary on Entebbe Road, in Wakiso district on Wednesday, February 4, 2026.