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St Mbaaga’s Major Seminary Ggaba has held its 39^th Graduation Ceremony during which 51 seminarians have been awarded the seminary’s Diploma in Theological and Philosophical Studies. The function took place at the seminary in Ggaba (Makindye Division) on May 22, 2024. It was presided over by the Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Masaka, the Rt Rev Serverus Jjumba. He was assisted by the Rector of the seminary, the Very Rev Fr Joseph Sserunjoji, and the Academic Dean, the Rev Fr Dr Ambrose Bwangatto.

Delivering his speech during the function, Bishop Jjumba put it to the new graduates to devote the holistic knowledge and skills they have received at the seminary to the service of God’s people. He asked them to do their ministry with utmost selflessness and also, to shun vices such as mediocrity, greed and undue anxiety.

“Please detest mediocrity. Aim at excellence. Do little things but do them as perfectly and humanly as possible. Be self-giving. True joy, happiness and inner peace comes from the giving of ourselves to others; a happy life is a life given to others. In priesthood, religious life, and all the other vocations, we are called to give, not to accumulate,” Jjumba said.

Fr Dr Ambrose Bwangatto (the seminary’s Academic Dean) asked the graduates and all students to always seek greater knowledge. Bwangatto justified his advice to the graduating seminarians by quoting St Frances de Sales (a 17^th century French Prelate), who in his discernment, acknowledged an ignorant priest as being more dangerous than a sinful one.

The Seminary’s Rector, the Very Rev Fr Dr Joseph Sserunjoji paid tribute to the seminary’s teaching and support staff, the alumni, friends and all people of good will who have supported the seminary in one way or another since its inception 48 years ago. In a special way he thanked the Metropolitan Archbishop of Kampala, the Most Rev Paul Ssemogerere for his love and support to the seminary. He also thanked all the Bishops who have partnered with the diocese in one way or another.

During the function, the fraternity of St Mbaaga’s Major Seminary Ggaba also celebrated 48 years of the seminary’s dynamic existence. The fraternity also commemorated 60 years of the canonisation of the Uganda Martyrs, one of which (St Mbaaga Tuzinde) is the seminary's patron saint.