The Rt Rev. Msgr. Lawrence Mukasa received a mammoth welcome in Luwero on Saturday as he was being consecrated new Bishop of Kasana-Luwero.

Singing and dancing, Christians lined the Luwero-Kampala highway to usher in the 66-year-old cleric, who was appointed the diocese's new bishop by Pope Francis earlier this year.

The Apostolic Nuncio to Uganda, Luigi Bianco, delivered the announcement on April 29.

The Kasana-Luwero diocese top seat had been vacant since December 9, 2021, following the appointment of Paul Ssemogerere as the Metropolitan Archbishop of Kampala to replace the late Dr Cyprian Kizito Lwanga.

Mukasa will be consecrated at Our Lady of Fatima Queen of Peace Cathedral today (August 5).

Just after 8 am, traffic on the Luwero-Kampala highway came to a standstill as excited Christians emerged to watch the convoy of the bishop.

Upon arrival in Bombo town, Mukasa -- standing through the roof of his vehicle -- was welcomed by a band and a dance troupe as he waved to the Christians.

After disembarking from his car, he cut a ribbon and led a procession to Kasana- Luwero.

MSGR Lawrence MUkasa profile 

Msgr Mukasa was born on March 14, 1957, in Nabwiri village, Busujju in Mityana district. His father Stephen Lutwama and his mother Elizabeth Namusoke are both deceased.

He studied at Kakindu Primacy School from 1964 until 1969, before getting into Nswanjere Preparatory Seminary from 1970 to 1972.

Mukasa moved to Kisubi Minor Seminary (1972 - 1976) and then to Katigondo National Major Seminary (1977 - 1979).

He did his pastoral spiritual year at Kijaguzo Parish in 1980, before moving on to Ggaba National Major Seminary (1981 - 1984).

Mukasa was ordained a deacon on August 14, 1983, and then elevated to priesthood, with the ordination done on June 24, 1984, at Mwera Parish.

He served as parish priest of Bukalagi and Naluggi between July 1984 and June 1986.

Mukasa taught at Katigondo Major Seminary for three years, before flying to Rome, Italy to study church history at Gregorian University from 1989 until August 1992.

He returned to Uganda to become general spiritual director of Katigondo Major Seminary, a role he served from September 1992 until 1997.

Besides serving as diocesan director of Lay Apostolate, Mukasa was also the parish priest and dean of Kanoni Deanery from July 1997 until June 2001.

Thereafter, he served as general spiritual director of St Mbaaga's Major Seminary until 2005.

From 2005 until he was appointed the new bishop of Kasana-Luwero, Mukasa was the Vicar General of the Kiyinda-Mityana Diocese, Vicar for the Clergy, and chairman of the Diocesan Health Board.