Hundreds of Christians gathered at the Sacred Heart of Mary Cathedral in Lubaga on Sunday to remember one year since Archbishop Dr Cyprian Kizito Lwanga passed on.

The mass was led by the former Papal Nuncio to Belgium, Archbishop Augustine Kasujja, who represented the current Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere, assisted by the Vicar General of Kamapala Msgr Charles Kasibante, Chancellor Fr. Dr Pius Male Ssentumbwe, the Cathedral Administrator Fr. Achillies Male and Fr Victor Mubiru one of the late Archbishop Lwanga’s nieces.

Several relatives including his sisters and brothers attended and were seen wiping tears during the memorial mass. 

Some of the late Archbishop Dr Cyprian Kizito Lwanga's sisters at the memorial mass at Lubaga Cathedral. (Photo by Juliet Lukwago)

Later, a wreath was laid at Lwanga’s graveyard. 

Lwanga died on April 3, 2021, at his residence in Lubaga.

During his sermon, Kasujja praised Lwanga for the 10 years of good service in Kasana-Luweero and 14 years in Kampala.

The choir sang a song that was composed after his death “Wummula Mirembe Kitaffe Ssaabasumba Dr Cyprian Kizito Lwanga, kikwakire otebekere Mirembe ….”

Archbishop’s message

Fr Male delivered Archbishop Ssemogerere’s message, in which he praised Lwanga as a good shepherd who worked entirely for body and spirit.

Former Papal Nuncio to Belgium, Archbishop Augustine Kasujja chats with chairman of Lubaga Foundation, Dr Kasozi Mulindwa after the memorial mass. (Photo by Juliet Lukwago)

Fr Male said Ssemogerere requested "all of us to recite prayers praying for late Archbishop Lwanga in our Parishes.” 

Remembering Archbishop Lwanga

At St Joseph’s Catholic Parish Ndeeba where Archbishop Ssemogerere led mass to celebrate Parish Day, he asked Christians to remember Archbishop Lwanga in their prayers.

There was a moment of silence for some minutes as Christians remembered Archbishop Lwanga. After general prayers, they pray for his soul.

Ssemogerere said: "As we commemorate the life of the late Archbishop Lwanga, we thank God for his fruitful ministry in the church, standing amid God’s people, Dr Lwanga manifested the image of Christ. Despite the suffering he endured in carrying out his responsibilities, he did not abandon the flock.”

He added that Archbishop Lwanga in all challenges did not flee, fearful of the wolves. He defended the flock all his life. He was uncompromising in standing for and defending the truth, and he spoke truth to power, he raised his voice for the voiceless sheep and defended the rights of the downtrodden against the violence of the mighty.

Msgr John Wynand Katende and others singing before their prayers at Emmanuel Prayer Gardens at Foyer de charite retreat center. (Photo by Juliet Lukwago)

He was a great advocate for peace. He worked tirelessly for the integral growth and development of God’s people following his motto Ora et Labora ut habeant Vitam (pray and work, that you may have life). The abundant fruits of his policies and visionary leadership are manifested in various development initiatives like WEKEMBE, Namugongo and Munyonyo Martyrs Shines, Mapeera house and the Archdiocesan secretariat buildings.

Who was Archbishop Lwanga?

Lwanga was born on January 19, 1953, at Kyabakadde, Naggalama in Mukono District, to the late Joseph Wamala and Matilda Wamala. He is the second born in a family of seven boys and four girls.

He attended Kyabakadde Catholic Primary School (1959-1963) and Nyenga Minor Seminary for his O-Level (1964-1971).

He went to Katigondo National Major Seminary in Masaka (1972-1974) where he spent three years doing Philosophy and other related subjects.

 Archbishop Lwanga then joined Ggaba National Seminary, where for four years, he majored in Theology and other studies to do with the apostolate of a priest.

Some of the late Archbishop Dr Cyprian Kizito Lwanga's relatives posing for a photo after the memorial mass. (Photo by Juliet Lukwago)

 He was ordained a priest by the late Emmanuel Cardinal Nsubuga at Lubaga Cathedral on April 9, 1978.

After being ordained, Fr Lwanga was appointed private secretary to Cardinal Nsubuga before being sent to Paris, France, for a course in French Language, administration and bilangual secretarial.

He returned to Uganda in 1982 and was appointed Vice-Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Kampala and later substantive chancellor in 1984.

Fr Lwanga combined that office with that of the acting parish priest of Ndeeba and it was around this time that Pope John Paul II, in appreciation of his work, decorated him with the ecclesiastical title of “Monsignor”.

 In 1988, the late Emmanuel cardinal Nsubuga appointed Msgr Lwanga the archdiocese’s second Vicar General and entrusted him with the work of building and renovating the Namugongo presbytery, shrine and surroundings.

 In February 1990, when Archbishop Emmanuel Wamala took over at Kampala Archdiocese, he sent Msgr Lwanga to Rome to pursue a doctorate in Canon Law and a diploma course in Human Development.

 He returned in 1995 and was immediately appointed private secretary to Emmanuel Cardinal Wamala.

Msgr Lwanga was also required to lecture Church Law at Ggaba National Seminary and at the nearby St Mbaaga’s Major Seminary.

In 1996 Msgr Lwanga was appointed to be the first bishop of Kasana-Luweero, where he worked for ten years up to 2006 when he was appointed the Archbishop of Kampala Archdiocese, replacing Emmanuel Cardinal Wamala after his retirement.