Kigungu pilgrimage invokes sweet memories of pioneer Catholic missionaries

Calls for the beatification and eventual canonization of Fr. Simeon Lourdel Mapeera and Bro. Delmas Amans dominated the celebration of the 144th anniversary of the advent of the Catholic faith in Uganda, which took place at Mapeera Memorial Shrine, Kgungu Landing Site, Entebbe (in Wakiso district) on Friday, February 17, 2023.

Fr. Simeon Lourdel Mapeera and Bro. Delmas Amans, both French confreres of the Catholic Missionary Society of the White Fathers (also called Missionaries of Africa) were the first ever Catholic missionaries to come to Uganda. 

They arrived by canoe at Kigungu Landing site (currently in Entebbe Municipality), after which they walked to the palace of King Muteesa I of Buganda at Lubaga, to seek his permission to preach the Catholic religion.

The missionaries then established their first mission station at Nabulagala-Lubya (in Lubaga Division) where the Kabaka had given them land.

The celebration of the 144th anniversary of Catholic evangelism (in Uganda) was presided over by the Apostolic Nuncio Emeritus, Archbishop Augustine Kasujja, who paid tribute to the pioneer missionaries for their deep faith, courage and missionary zeal.

Kasujja later asked Christians to pray for the beatification and eventual canonization of Fr. Mapeera and Bro. Amans.

Various speakers including the Vicar-General of Kampala, the Rt. Rev. Msgr. Charles Kasibante (who represented Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere), Sr. Boniconsilii Komuhangi (who represented Fr. Richard Nnyombi of the Society of White Fathers), the area MP Betty Ethel Naluyima and the Wakiso District Chairman, Hon. Matia Lwanga Bwanika all called on Catholics and all Ugandans to live out the moral values that the pioneer missionaries preached.