Busoga Catholics welcome remains of St. Matia Mulumba

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Catholics from Busoga region and beyond have thronged Kyebando parish in Mayuge town council, Mayuge district to receive the St Matia Mulumba’s vestiges.

Mulumba’s remains, together with those of Charles Lwanga were returned from Rome in Italy on September 9, 2024, after 111 years by Fr Richard Nyombi, a member of the White Fathers.

The White Fathers aka the Missionaries of Africa, sent the remains to Rome in 1913 from where they were canonised as Saints alongside the other 20 on October 18, 1964, at St Peter’s Basilica in Rome by Pope Paul VI.

This was the first ceremony of canonising a large number of saints in one day in Rome.

During the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of their canonisation in 1964, the Roman Catholics converged at St Matia Mulumba parish church from where Jinja Diocese vicar general Monsignour Paul Musana unveiled Mulumba's relics on October 13, 2024.

The cheerful Christians began with mass led by Musana who represented the Jinja diocesan bishop Martin Wamika.

In his homily, the dean of Kamuli Archdeaconry Fr Benedict Wakabi challenged Catholics to borrow a leaf from Uganda martyrs who died because of their firm faith.

“We need to be devoted to our religions by learning from our martyrs who were killed, they couldn’t be compromised beyond God, therefore, be authentic Christians willing to make sacrifices for your beliefs” he urged.

The two martyrs were part of the 22 Roman Catholics and 23 Anglicans who were killed in 1885 and 1886 on the directives of the then Buganda king, Kabaka Mwanga II as a result of a row between his authority and the spread of Christianity.

About Mulumba

Born in 1802, Mulumba hailed from Kyebando and before his death, he dedicated his land at Kyebando for church activities.

Busoga kingdom information minister Michael Kifubangabo said every second Sunday of October, Catholics pay homage to St Matia Mulumba saying as their saint, he teaches them endurance with an inspiring heart to their catholic generations over the years.

Of the 22 Catholic martyrs, some were from Busoga region including Mulumba and Gonzaga Gonza who hailed from Kyebando in Mayuge and Bugonza in Kaliro districts, respectively.

Gonzaga is the patron saint for prisoners and he is said to have been born around 1862.

Tourism status

Third Deputy Prime Minister and minister without Portfolio Rukiya Isanga Nakadama noted the need to improve the Kyebando shrines to high standards.

Being a tourist site, she emphasized the relevance of preserving what she termed as ‘religious heritages’ such as the St Matia Mulumba’s place of birth, the Kyebando shrines.

The minister pledged her support towards tarmacking its path right from the main road for proper accessibility of the tourists and pilgrims.

Nakadama, who is also the area woman legislator, commended the Catholic Church for their negotiations until the martyrs’ vestiges were brought back.

Meanwhile, Aggrey Bagire, the Bunya West MP in Mayuge district, pledged shillings 10 million towards the construction of a modern church at the facility.

He, however, urged Christians to utilise well government funds once they access them.

Nyendo Mukungwe lawmaker Mathias Mpuuga, who represented Speaker of Parliament Annet Anita Among, challenged leaders to address issues undermining the youth to prosper.

Member of Parliament Mathias Mpuuga addressing the Catholics during the welcoming of the remains of St. Matia Mulumba at Kyebando shrines in Mayuge district on Sunday. (Photo by Jackie Nambogga)

On many occasions, Mpuuga said the youth were being denied platforms describing them as spoilt emphasizing the need to empower, guide and mould them into better citizens

“Being our successors, let us invest in their development by creating a conducive environment that thrives their developmental growth,” he said.