Namirembe Cathedral clerical couple share love story

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“Lovincer and I first met at Uganda Christian University, Mukono in 1997,” Canon Dunstan Kiwanuka Mazinga narrates.

He had recently enrolled at the university for his Bachelor of Divinity. Lovincer was also doing her Bachelor’s degree.

“We used to meet during the religious activities in the chapel. Lovincer was also the treasurer of Nkobazambogo students’ association, to which I also belonged. So, that also gave me another opportunity to interact with her,” he recalls.

The Bishop of Namirembe diocese, Moses Banja (wearing a mitre) hands over to the Kiwanukas their 25th wedding anniversary certificate after the wedding service at Namirembe Cathedral on December 30, 2025. Looking on are some Anglican Prelates and their spouse.

Mazinga’s sharp eyes observed a number of interesting qualities in Lovincer. She was a gentle, kind-hearted and God-fearing young lady; a true Born-again Christian. “I picked interest in her. So, during one occasion, I composed myself and told her my feelings; that I had liked her religious and moral disposition, and I thought we could start a relationship which would lead us to marriage.”

Lovincer seemed to have been taken by surprise, so she asked for time to pray about it.

When he got the thumbs up, he shared his intentions with his classmates, Rev Samuel Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu and Rev James William Ssebaggala.

The relationship started in 1998. “Our courtship, which was Christian in all aspects, lasted for about two years. When we were ready, we organised formalisation of the relationship.”

The nuptials began with a visit to Lovincer’s aunt in Bukoto, Kampala. Her relatives consequently visited Mazinga’s family. Two months later, the white wedding took place.

“We were wed by Rev Ernest Kibuuka, who happened to have been the same priest who presided over the wedding of Lovincer’s parents. We had two receptions; the first at Uganda Christian University Hall, and the second at Busaana SS, where I was a teacher. Lovincer was the chaplain of schools in Buloba area,” he says.

For the honeymoon, Mazinga says: “We had our two-day honeymoon at my house, which I had built at Busaana, Bugerere."

Later, Mazinga was appointed Assistant Vicar of Gayaza Church of Uganda and Chaplain to Gayaza Schools. “So, I stayed with Lovincer in the chaplaincy of Gayaza High School.”

The Boys and Girls' Brigade Colour Party/Brass ensemble leading the reception procession of the Kiwanukas after the clerics' 25th wedding anniversary thanksgiving service at Namirembe Cathedral on Tuesday, December 30-, 2025.

He adds: “I am grateful to God for the gift of Lovincer. I don’t think I would have got a purer wife than her. She was still a virgin when I married her. Can you believe that? How many men in this world have married a virgin?! Was this not a great blessing?”

Lovincer: Hi is such a loving husband

What struck Lovincer Nalusiba about Mazinga was how amazingly patient he was. He never pressured her for an answer after he asked her out. “He gave me all the time I needed to make an informed decision about our marriage,” he says.

She has no regrets. “He has made our marriage enjoyable. He is peaceful, understanding, caring and supportive. He is also generous; if a friend gives him money, for example, he declares it to me and consequently gives me a portion of it.”

She describes her husband as a humorous man. “He is also a hardworking and prayerful cleric, who relies totally on the providence of God.”

Lovincer is forever grateful to her father Eriya Mata, who advised her to marry a fellow cleric. “I had gone to his office at Mengo Senior School, where he then worked as bursar, to collect pocket money.

He said to me: ‘Lovincer, you are an aspiring priest. But when time comes for you to marry, please make sure you marry a fellow priest because he will understand you better since you will be doing the same work. If you go out for pastoral work and come back late, he will understand it. If you have pastoral challenges, he will understand them and give you the necessary support.’

The visiting "Son of the Soil" of Ekumfi Otuam of Ghana, His Royal Highness Charles Henry Woode (left), Hon Zephaniah Sseninde (second-left) and the Speaker of the Great Buganda Lukiiko, Patrick Luwaga Mugumbule (right) during the thanksgiving service of the Mazingas at Namirembe Cathedral on December 30, 2025.

She says her father was also a great family man and inspired her regarding the kind of man she wanted to marry.

“I have never seen him quarrel with mum,” she says.

She adds: “He is such a good man, very calm, patient and loving. He has loved and cared for me and our children. He has also loved my family and friends. Sometimes he has even taken away my friends.”

Advice to young people

Lovincer’s advice to young people is to seek God and his righteousness. “If a person acknowledges God’s supremacy and follows His commandments, they will get everything they want. It is also desirable for our young people to respect their parents and all the people they meet.”

25 years in marriage

Rev. Canon Lovincer Nalusiba is currently the Chaplain of Mengo Senior School, while Canon Dunstan Kiwanuka Mazinga is the Dean of Namirembe Cathedral. Recently, they celebrated 25th years in marriage. 

Their thanksgiving service took place at Namirembe Cathedral on December 30, 2025. It was presided over by the Bishop of Namirembe Diocese, the Rt. Rev. Moses Banja. Also present were other Anglican Prelates, including the Bishop Emeritus of Namirembe, Wilberforce Kityo Luwalira, the Bishop Emeritus of Mukono, James William Ssebaggala, Bishop Emeritus Elia Paul Luzinda (Mukono), the Assistant Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Kampala, Dr Hannington Mutebi and the Dean of Namirembe Cathedral, Canon Henry Ssegawa. After the church service, the Kiwanukas hosted their guests to a grand reception at Mengo Senior School Multi-purpose Hall.

The Kiwanukas in recession from Namirembe Cathedral after their 25th wedding anniversary thanksgiving service on December 30, 2025.

Needless to say, the function was spectacular in every aspect. But further to its lavish fanfare, the function was also laden with many marital examples that Christian marrieds and marriage aspirants need to emulate.

Firstly, the function rejuvenated the authentic role of the Bestman and the Matron in a typical Christian marriage. It was not beautiful and significant to see Archbishop Dr Samuel Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu, who was the best man, and madam Eroni Jjunju, who was the matron when the Kiwanukas were tying the knot 25 years ago, playing the same role at the couple’s silver jubilee function.

Archbishop Kaziimba (the best man) said: “Canon Lovincer Nalusiba Kiwanuka, Canon Dunstan Kiwanuka Mazinga, Bishop Emeritus James William Ssebaggala and I are contemporaries. We met at Uganda Christian University, where we were the pioneer students of Bachelor of Divinity. I can say it was God who brought us together. When our colleague Dunstan told us about his relationship with Lovincer, we were happy because all of us had respect for her. She was peaceful, calm and God-fearing. So, we agreed to accompany them in their marital journey.”

“When we went to Lovincer’s parents in Ndejje, for the Kwanjula, Bishop James William Ssebaggala was our spokesman. At the wedding, I was the bestman. I remember it rained cats and dogs on that day. The bridal cars somehow delayed; I had to carry Dunstan on the motorbike to Namirembe Cathedral. I then went to the salon to ensure Lovincer was not delayed.”

“As you can see, we have remained together since then. You know, being a Bestman or Matron is not just for pomp or show. The two play a supportive role, which continues even after the wedding. They are supposed to give moral and spiritual support to the respective spouses in their marriage. So, I urge the young couples that are aspiring for marriage to be prudent when choosing their Bestman and Matron. The Bestman and Matron should also understand well that their supportive role does not end at the wedding but continues in the marital life of their friends who chose them,” Kaziimba said.

The Kiwanukas (4th and 5th left) share a photo moment with their Bestman Archbishop Samuel Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu (third -left), their Matron Eroni Jjunju (sixth-left) and their bridesmaids upon arrival at their reception venue at Mengo Senior School.

Mzee Eriya Mata, the father of Canon Lovincer Kiwanuka put it to the prospective spouses to endeavor to study each other’s family disposition before taking the marriage commitment. He also put it to them to respect the traditional role and counsel of the Senga (marital aunt).

What people say

Robert Wagwa Nsibirwa, Deputy Katikkiro of Buganda: “Canon Lovincer performed well when she was the chaplain at Gayaza High School. The old girls remember her as a super counselor, a dependable mother and pastor who was always available to attend to the needs of the students. Canon Dunstan Mazinga is also known to have the ethos of hard work. He is firm in his administration and conviction. If he starts a project, he must accomplish it.  He has financial accountability. We also laud him for his commitment to the boy-child. They inspire but also challenge us to serve people wholeheartedly if we want to leave a legacy.”

Dr. Grace Nantajja Ssebanakitta, headteacher of Mengo Senior School: “Canon Mazinga encouraged us to be innovative. He never wanted to see a member of staff depending solely on their monthly salary. He was zealous about issues of faith. He worked hard with Canon John Fred Kazibwe to build Mengo Senior School’s St. John’s Chapel.”

Patrick Luwaga Mugumbule, Speaker of Buganda Lukiiko: The advent of the Mazingas brought a unique culture of love at Namirembe Cathedral and strengthened the relationship between the cathedral and the kingdom.

Canon John Fred Kazibwe, headteacher of King’s College Budo: I marvel at Canon Dunstan Mazinga’s sincerity, open-mindedness, developmental zeal, integrity, accountability inner satisfaction and purity of heart. I thank him for inspiring young people to join the Anglican priestly ministry.

The Kiwanukas share a photo moment with some of their guests after their thanksgiving service at Namirembe Cathedral.

Mulungi Joy Talemwa, Lovincer’s sister: Our parents’ flowery marriage deepened our love for Christian marriage.

Factfile

A brief on Canon Dunstan Kiwanuka

He was born in 1966 at Kisimuka, Kapeeka, in Luweero, to the late Thomas Kiwanuka and Susan Nambogga. He attended Bugadu PS, Busaana PS, Kyambogo College School and Mubende NTC, from where he graduated with a Diploma in Education.

In 1997, he joined Uganda Christian University Mukono, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Divinity of Makerere University in 2000. He consequently did a Master’s Degree (Religious Studies) at Kyambogo (ITEK, 2000-2011). His thesis was: Challenges of the Clergy in the Anglican Church; A case study of Mukono Diocese.

Rev Kiwanuka was ordained at St Andrew and Phillip’s Cathedral, Mukono, by Bishop Emeritus Michael Ssennyimba in July, 2000. Prior to being appointed Dean of Namirembe Cathedral, he served as Chaplain and teacher of Mathematics at Mengo Senior School.

Canon Lovincer Nalusiba Kiwanuka

She was born in 1970 to Eriya and Teddy Mata of Ndejje Kyaddondo, in Makindye Ssabagabo Municipality.

She attended Namirembe Kindergarten, Namirembe Infant PS, Nalinnya Lwantale PS and Kisubi Girls PS, where she did her PLE.

She did her O and A Level at Mengo Senior School, from where she joined Bishop Tucker Theological College (current UCU), where she did her theological studies between 1992 and 1995.

Bishop Emeritus Samuel Balagadde Ssekkadde ordained her a Deacon at Namirembe Cathedral in December 1995.

She consequently served as Chaplain at Buloba PTC, Buloba High School and Buloba PS, based at Buloba Church of Uganda (1996-97). She then went back to UCU and did her BA (Educ) degree. After her graduation in 2000, she was appointed as the Chaplain of Gayaza High School, a ministry she held until last year when she was appointed Chaplain of Mengo Senior School.