Support your priests, Speaker Among tells Catholics
Giving the example of Pope Francis, who she said, asked her to pray for him every time she went to him for blessings, Among encouraged Catholics to pray for the clerics and also give them moral and material support, in whichever way possible.
The priestly silver jubilarians: Fr.Kizito Kiyimba (left), Fr. Edward Muwanga (centre), and Fr. Joseph Kirumira (right) expose the Apostolic Blessing that the Holy Father Pope Leo XIV imparted on them. (Photos by Mathias Mazinga.)
By Mathias Mazinga
Journalists @New Vision
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The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon Anita Annet Among, has asked the Catholic faithful to support their priests. If priests are not supported, she reasoned, they become vulnerable to temptations that can make them fail in their ministry.
The Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda, Rt. Hon. Anita Annet Among (wearing a pinkish dress), Prince David Wassajja and his wife Marion (on the Speaker's immediate right), the Head of the Laity of Kampala Archdiocese Emily Kitto Mwaka (sixth-right), share a photo-moment with the Catholic clerics after the thanksgiving mass for the oriestly silver jubilee of Fr. Edward Muwanga, Fr. Joseph Kirumira and Fr. Kizito Kiyimba at St. Charles Lwanga Catholic parish church, Ntinda, in Nakawa Division on Saturday, September 6, 2025.
Giving the example of Pope Francis, who she said, asked her to pray for him every time she went to him for blessings, Among encouraged Catholics to pray for the clerics and also give them moral and material support, in whichever way possible.
She made the remarks during the grand celebration of the 25th priestly anniversary of Fr. Edward Muwanga (parish-priest of Ntinda), Fr. Joseph Kirumira (curate at Ntinda parish) and Fr. Kizito Kiyimba (Society of Jesus) at St. Charles Lwanga Ntinda Catholic parish church, in Nakawa Division on Saturday, September 6, 2025.
The priestly silver jubilarians: Fr.Kizito Kiyimba (left), Fr. Edward Muwanga (third-left), and Fr. Joseph Kirumira (right) share a photo moment with the Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda, the Rt. Hon. Anita Annet Among after their thanksgiving mass at St. Charles Lwanga Catholic parish church, Ntinda, in Nakawa Division on Saturday, September 6, 2025. 
Speaker Among lauded the three silver jubilarians for honouring God’s call to the priesthood.
She also thanked them for being true to the sacerdotal ministry for the last 25 years.
Among expressed even deeper gratitude to Fr. Edward Muwanga, to whose prayers she attributed her numerous successive successes.
Afrigo Band musicians Moses Matovu and Joanita Kawalya in a cabaret entertainment action during the reception at Hill Side Primary School Naalya.
“If you see me succeed in everything, left, right and centre, it is Fr. Muwanga. He dedicated me in prayer. I am his parishioner. My home is just near there, at Ministers’ Village. He comes and prays for me and my family. I always tell him I was supposed to be a nun, but God did not allow me.
“When I decided to marry, he prepared me. He put it to me never to leave the Catholic Church. I am a very proud Catholic. I will ensure whatever we do is for the good of our people and humanity. I am always available for any support for the good of the Church and humanity, ” she said.
The jubilee choir of Ntinda Catholic parish in action during mass at the church.
Speaker Among thanked the Catholic faithful for appreciating the good things the government has done for the Church.
Earlier, the Head of the laity of Ntinda parish, Eng. William Bakawa praised Speaker Among for her loving support to the Church.
He thanked her for helping the parish to overcome the challenge of parking. Bakaw also revealed that Among had bought a chasuble from Rome for Fr. Edward Muwanga, further to contributing sh20m towards the jubilee function.
Dr. Larry’s homily
The thanksgiving mass was celebrated by Fr. Edward Muwanga, together with his co-jubilarians and over 100 priests.
The homily was delivered by the Chaplain of MUBS, Rev. Msgr. Dr. Larry Ssemusu, who also lauded the jubilarians for their impactful sacerdotal ministry.
L-R: The Chancellor of Kampala Archdiocese, Fr. Dr. Pius Male Ssentumbwe, the Head of the Laity Emily Kitto Mwaka, the Rt. Hon. Joel Senyonyi and other guests during the reception at Hill Side Primary School Naalya.
“Your priesthood is a gift to the Church. Priesthood is not a possession but a mission to love and serve God’s people. It is not about perfection but transformation. We thank God for the many souls you have touched in your ministry. We beg you to remain rooted in God, and your priesthood will flourish. Remember that your silver jubilee is not a conclusion but a renewal of the priestly yes to Christ,” she said.
Msgr. Larry finally asked Catholics to encourage, support and pray for their priests as opposed to backbiting/criticising them.
Fr. Muwanga, Fr. Kirumira and Fr. Kiyimba gave a somewhat rhyming message of gratitude to their parents, family members, relatives and friends, benefactors, brother-priests, Bishops and all people of goodwill for loving them and supporting their ministry.
During the function, the three jubilarians were given a certificate of the Apostolic Blessing that Pope Leo XIV imparted on them in appreciation of their 25-year sacerdotal ministry.
The function was graced by several dignitaries, including Prince David Wassajja, the Rt. Hon. Joel Senyonyi (LOP), Justice Oscar John Kihika, Hon Fred Omach, Chevalier Anthony Mateega and the Head of the Laity of Kampala Archdiocese, Lady Emily Kitto Mwaka.
The celebration climaxed with a grand reception and entertainment by the Afrigo Band at Hill Side Primary School Naalya (in Kira Municipality, Wakiso district).