Archbishop Ssemogerere urges stronger commitment to child welfare

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On Monday, December 29, the Catholic Church commemorated the Feast of the Holy Innocents, an annual observance held after Christmas Day to remember the 50 children who were killed by King Herod of Judea in his attempt to eliminate the newborn Jesus, whom he feared would take over his kingdom.

The Church regards these children as martyrs because they died in the place of Jesus.

At Lubaga Cathedral, the celebration was presided over by the Archbishop of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Kampala, the Most Rev. Paul Ssemogerere, who expressed deep concern over what he described as a growing subculture of child neglect and mistreatment.

Drawing parallels between the biblical account and modern society, Archbishop Ssemogerere said that while Herod killed innocent children physically, many children today are destroyed through neglect and abuse.

Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere (centre) praying a blessing for the children. (Photo by Mathias Mazinga)

The children receiving Holy Communion during mass. (Photo by Mathias Mazinga)

“Herod killed 50 children, but today we kill millions through accidents, ritual murders, abortion, starvation and other horrible acts. Many fathers have abandoned their responsibilities in the family; no wonder we have many single mothers who go through a lot of difficulties to maintain their home. There are also children who are abandoned on the streets, denied food and medical care.”

“As we commemorate the feast of the Holy Innocents, we pray for parents to be more committed to their children. We pray that God gives them the means to look after their children, take them to a good society, and take them to hospitals when they fall sick. We also pray for government to be more committed to the safety and welfare of children,” Ssemogerere said.

The Archbishop further called upon parents and all Ugandans of goodwill to promote the moral development of children as a foundation for a stable and progressive society.

Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere (wearing a white mitre) shares a photo-moment with some of the children who turned up for the celebration of the Feast of Holy Innocents at Lubaga Cathedral on Monday, December 29, 2025. (Photo by Mathias Mazinga)

The celebration attracted more than 5,000 children, many of whom were accompanied by their parents. After the Mass, Archbishop Ssemogerere hosted the children and served them a meal.