Kampala Archdiocese celebrates diamond jubilee

________________

As Kampala Archdiocese marks 60 years of inception this year, Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere invited Christians to thank God for the countless blessings He has showered on Kampala Archdiocese during its decade-long existence.

In 1966, Pope Paul VI created Kampala Archdiocese by merging the former Archdiocese of Lubaga, which was being administered by the White Fathers (also called Missionaries of Africa),  with part of the then Kampala Diocese, which was under the jurisdiction of the Mill Hill Fathers, who had their seat at St. Peter’s Proto-Cathedral Nsambya.

The Pope then named the late Emmanuel Cardinal Nsubuga as the archdiocese’s pioneer metropolitan archbishop.

Celebrations to mark the diamond jubilee took place at Lubaga Cathedral on Sunday, October 25, 2026, and the pontifical mass was presided over by archbishop Ssemogerere.

Ssemogerere said the archdiocese oozed many attainments, most notably its dynamic and fervent community of believers, who demonstrate their deep love for the faith through very concrete actions.

The archbishop also mentioned ecclesial associations like the Women’s Guild, the Men’s Guild, and the Central Organising Committee as some of the manifestations of the deep involvement of the laity in the life and activities of the archdiocese.

Ssemogerere pointed out the successive synods of 1973, 1982, and 1989, and the creation of three dioceses, that is; Kiyinda-Mityana (1981), Kasana-Luweero (1996) and Lugazi (1996), all former territories of Kampala archdiocese, as other significant achievements.

The prelate then asked Christians to deepen their faith and commitment as the archdiocese progresses further.

“Remember the past with gratitude. Live the present with enthusiasm. Look forward to the future with confidence. We are people of history, rooted in history, growing in goodness, quality and quantity. Be active in Church activities. Be mindful of the weak and vulnerable, especially the widows, the elderly, and orphans. There is no way we can grow together when we are mistreating them. So, we must consider them.  Adopt the spirit of working and walking together. Embrace the principle of unity in diversity.  We are like parts of the human body, none of which can dismiss the other. If we work together, build strong families, we can have big projects,” he said.

Ssemogerere said vices such as hatred, tribalism, misrule, repression and exploitation of the weak, the poor and vulnerable, as well as domestic violence, depict a decline in religious conviction and understanding of the great commandment of love of God and neighbour, and the assimilation of the principle of human dignity. The archbishop beseeched Christians to renew their commitment to God.

"Always listen to the voice of God, who calls us to love, serve and respect others. Let us be channels of peace. Together, let’s promote peace and unity. Let us stick to God whom we chose to serve,” he noted.

Ssemogerere asked Christians to pray for the soul of the former Busiro South Member of Parliament, the late Charles Matovu, who he said was a very committed and generous Catholic, with a big heart for the poor and the needy.

The Kampala Archdiocese head of the laity, Emily Kitto Mwaka, spoke highly of the good relationship that exists between the clergy, Christians and the laity. She decried the endemic moral degeneration among young people, who she said no longer see value in Christianity.

Mwaka asked parents to recommit themselves to their God-given obligation of teaching their children the moral values and tenets of their faith.

The mass was also concelebrated by Archbishop Dr. Augustine Kasujja (Apostolic Nuncio), the Vicar-General Msgr. Rogers Kabuye, Msgr. Gerald Kalumba, and several other clerics.

Catholic Church Lauded

The Katikkiro of Buganda, Charles Peter Mayiga, paid tribute to the subsequent prelates of Kampala archdiocese for their commitment to the integral development and wellbeing of the people. He mentioned Church-founded schools, hospitals and social development organisations as some of the ecclesial establishments that had benefited people and helped them to experience the loving kindness of God.

Mayiga thanked Emmanuel Cardinal Wamala, the late Archbishop Cyprian Kizito Lwanga, Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere, and other priests, christians and the laity of Kampala archdiocese for their encouragement, support and prayers, to which he attributed his successes during his tenure as the Katikkiro.

On behalf of the central government, the minister of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and National Guidance, Justine Kasule Lumumba, also thanked the Catholic Church for its dynamic involvement in social development. She paid special tribute to Caritas, the Church’s development arm, for its effective poverty eradication and mind-set change programmes. She encouraged Church leaders to work with the Lands Minister, Judith Nabakooba, to register Church land so as to protect it from grabbers.

Moment of humour

The function did not end without rib-cracking humour. Archbishop Ssemogerere made Christians laugh their heads off as he thanked them for helping him to renovate his official residence at Lubaga. He said some new rooms had been added for visiting clerics, who wanted to spend a few days with him.

Ssemogerere nonetheless voiced concerns that some of his priests were referring to the residence as a basement.  “Brethren, I don’t have a basement and actually, I don’t know what the term exactly means. All I can assure you is; the house is still the same house that Archbishop Joseph Kiwanuka built. The builders just made some modifications on it,” he said provoking laughter.

Ssemogerere also made people laugh as he juxtaposed the moral disposition of Christians in Uganda to that of the Christians in Europe. He said; "although the number of Christian congregants in Europe has dwindled enormously to the extent that you can find just three elderly women as the only congregants at mass in a gigantic church,  if you are on a train in Europe and happen to drop your mobile phone, the conductor will pick it and surrender it to the Police officer, who will then look for you and give it back to you. But here in Uganda, where the places of worship are always full-up, you just forget about your phone if you misplace it!"

The head of the laity of Kampala archdiocese (Mwaka) also stunned Christians when she voiced her concern over some Gen Z Christians, who she said disrespected the Catholic Sacraments so much that they go to the confession box with their smart phones, video-record their confessional interaction with the confessor-priest and later post it on their social media platforms.

New parishes, archdiocesan theme

During the function, Archbishop Ssemogerere declared three new proposed parishes, which include Bbembe in Wakiso district, as well as Bujaasi and Bunjakko in Mpigi district. Ssemogerere also declared a new archdiocesan theme: ”As Pilgrims, let us walk together listening to each other.”

Archbishop gives out medals

As one of the ways to celebrate the diamond jubilee in a more significant way, and also to preserve the history and norms of Kampala archdiocese, Archbishop Ssemogerere introduced special meritorious medals, which he named after the former prelates of the archdiocese.

These are; the late Archbishop Dr. Joseph Nakabaale Kiwanuka (former archbishop of Lubaga archdiocese, who was much involved in the preparations for the creation of Kampala archdiocese), the late Emmanuel Cardinal Nsubuga (pioneer archbishop of Kampala archdiocese), and Emmanuel Cardinal Wamala.

The medals were given out for the first time to selected Christians, from across the archdiocese, who were proven beyond doubt to possess the qualities, ideals and examples of the respective prelates. Below are the pioneer medal recipients;

Dr. Joseph Nakabaale Kiwanuka Medal

Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga

Lady Justice Christine Kitumba

Fr. Deogratias Muwemba

Fr. Sylvester Kityo

Emmanuel Cardinal Nsubuga Medal

Elder Matia Ssennyondwa of Gayaaza

Felicita Mukasa (Mwereerwe,)

Msgr. Dr. Lawrence Kanyike

Fr. Dominico Mwebe

Missionary Society of the White Fathers (Missionaries of Africa)

The Brothers of Christian Instruction

Brothers of St. Charles Lwanga (Bannakarooli)

Comboni Fathers

Mill Hill Fathers,

Comboni Sisters

Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa (White Sisters)

Little Sisters of St. Francis

Franciscan Missionary Sisters for Africa,

Pauline Sisters

Sisters of St. Peter Claver,

Sacred Heart Sisters

Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Reparatrix

Emmanuel Cardinal Wamala Medal

Elizabeth Nandagire (Kankobe parish)

Josephine Najjuma Ssebirumbi (Ggoli parish)