Catholic church revives war on pornography
“Please use social media for good purposes. Remember our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit.
Rev. Fr. Vianney Ssekalaala delivers the key-note speech during the annual students' convention of the Uganda Martyrs Pro-life Apostolate at Buddo SS, Kyengera Town Council, Wakiso district on March 7, 2026. (Photos by Mathias Mazinga)
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“Be careful what you watch and the kind of people that you follow on social media platforms, such as TikTok. The internet is flooded with sexualized images! These days, even the cartoons are not innocent! As you interact on social media, be mindful of the kind of friends you make. Are they people who encourage virtue, or people who normalize sin? Do they add to you academically and spiritually? Are they friends who encourage you to respect others?” These were the words of Rev. Fr. Vianney Ssekalaala, a prominent clerical educationist and moral instructor based at St. Mbaaga’s Seminary Ggaba.
Ssekalaala was the keynote speaker during the annual students’ convention of Uganda Martyrs Prolife Apostolate of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Kampala at Buddo Secondary School, in Kyengera Town Council, Wakiso district on March 7, 2026.
Buddo SS students entertaining their colleagues during the convention.
Ssekalaala decried what he called the deliberate promotion of pornography among the masses, before calling upon the students to shun it.
He urged the young people to use the internet responsibly and consume only that information that helps them to enhance their academic, moral and skills development.
“Please use social media for good purposes. Remember our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. Also, know that pornography thrives in secrecy and idleness. So, always keep yourselves busy. Shun loneliness and all situations that can lead you to temptations.”
He added: “Understand that purity is strength, not weakness. All the baptized are called upon to rediscover their faith and the teaching of the faith about purity. Pornography must not be entertained. It makes those that indulge in it to lose focus and learn harmful behaviour. It encourages cross generational relationships and weakens people’s relationship prayer life, and their relationship with God. So, let’s opt for purity. The Church’s insistence on purity is not meant to restrict you, or refuse you too enjoy life, but to make you learn to control your desires, emotions and keep your body in harmony with the holiness of God. The call to purity is a call to discipline, respect for others, freedom, independence, responsibility and growth in virtue. Choose purity of heart and mind, and let's grow in virtue.” Ssekalaala said.
A campaign
The Catholic archdiocese of Kampala has stepped up its advocacy for human life and dignity. Working through its specialized apostolate, Prolife, the Church has rejuvenated sensitization campaigns against pornography and all behaviours that endanger human life and dignity.
Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere presents a special certificate of appreciation to the headteacher of Buddo SS, Lawrence Muwonge, who hosted this year's Pro-life convention.
The culture of violence
Earlier during mass, the Archbishop of Kampala Archdiocese, Paul Ssemogerere dismissed the common terminology of “safe abortion,” calling it deceptive. He said that abortion, which meant termination of the life of the unborn baby, could not be a safe action.
The acting Director of Uganda Martyrs Pro-life Apostolate, Josephine Kagogwe, said the organisation’s promoters and ambassadors would continue to promote the dignity of human life, from conception to death, with even deeper conviction and commitment.
She later announced the schools and tertiary institutions that excelled in the 2025 pro-life competitions.
Among tertiary institutions, Uganda Martyrs University emerged as the overall winner. Other top performers included St. Mbaaga's Major Seminary, Ggaba, and the University of Kisubi.
In the secondary school category, Cardinal Wamala Vocational School, Bulo, was crowned champion. Other outstanding performers were St. Thomas Aquinas S.S. Jinja-Karooli and St. John's S.S. Muduuma.
Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere (wearing a mitre), shares a photo moment with the headteacher of Buddo SS (on the prelate;s immediate right), the clerics and mass servers after the mass of the celebration of the Pro-life Convention at Buddo SS. 
Archbishop Ssemogerere commended Buddo S.S. for hosting this year's Pro-Life Convention. He paid special tribute to the school's headteacher, Lawrence Muwonge, for promoting holistic education.
He also praised the students for their vibrant participation in music and other co-curricular activities.
The day-long event was held under the theme: "We the Baptized: Say Yes to Purity, Say No to Pornography."