Catholic Church immortalises Kabaka Muteesa I
The Deputy Katikkiro of Buganda, Robert Wagwa, hailed the warm relations between the Catholic Church and the kingdom.
Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere (left) looks on as Buganda's Deputy Katikkiro Robert Wagwa Nsibirwa cuts the tape to open King Muteesa I Catholic Memorial Museum. (Photos by Mathias Mazinga)
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A couple of months from now (on February 17, 2026), the Catholic faithful in Uganda will be celebrating 147 years of the arrival of the pioneer Catholic missionaries, Fr. Simeon Lourdel Mapeera and Bro. Delmas Amans.
The Catholic missionaries arrived a couple of years after the arrival of the Anglican Church missionaries, who came to Uganda in 1877. The advent of the two French confreres of the missionary society of the White Fathers (also called Missionaries of Africa), on February 17, 1879, marked the beginning of Catholic evangelism in Uganda.
Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere sprinkles holy water into the newly- commissioned museum.
Interestingly, though, the establishment of Christianity in Uganda is largely attributed to King Muteesa I of Buganda, who, according to records of the Church, wrote a letter to Queen Victoria of England, requesting for practical Christian missionaries/educators/craftsmen to come to his kingdom. The letter dated April 14 was conveyed through the explorer Henry Morton Stanley in 1875.
Catholic Church leaders in Uganda are aware of the role that King Muteesa I played in the establishment of Christianity in Uganda. But even more importantly, they still remember with even greater gratitude the generosity that Muteesa extended to the pioneer Catholic missionaries when he gave them permission to preach the Gospel in his kingdom, and also donated to them a huge chunk of land at Nabulagala-Lubya (currently in Lubaga Division), on which the missionaries established their first mission station.
They are also cognizant of the fact that Lubaga Hill, on which St. Mary’s Cathedral Lubaga stands, was the former palace of King Muteesa I, donated to the pioneer Catholic missionaries by his son/successor, King Mwanga II.
Owing to their deep understanding/appreciation of the contribution of King Muteesa I to the establishment of the Catholic Church in Uganda, the ecclesial leaders in Kampala Archdiocese deemed it right and just to immortalise him in very practical terms by naming their newly-established museum after him.
Fr. Dr. John Vianney Kitooro (left) takes visitors through a guided tour of Kabaka Muteesa I Catholic Memorial Museum during its commissioning on October 25.
The classic museum, Kabaka Muteesa I Catholic Memorial Museum, Lubaga, was officially commissioned by the Archbishop of Kampala, Paul Ssemogerere, and the Deputy Katikkiro of Buganda, the Rt. Hon. Robert Wagwa Nsibirwa on October 25 (2025), the eve of the grand celebration of the centenary of Lubaga Cathedral. The museum thus stands as one of the cathedral’s centennial monuments.
Delivering his speech during the function, Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere paid tribute to his venerable predecessor, the Most Rev. Archbishop Cyprian Kizito Lwanga (RIP), who was the brains behind the museum. He asked the Catholic faithful and all Ugandans to visit the museum and learn more about the history of the faith, the country and its indigenous culture.
The Deputy Katikkiro of Buganda, Robert Wagwa, hailed the warm relations between the Catholic Church and the kingdom. He also acknowledged with gratitude the commitment of the Church to indigenous culture.
“The Catholic Church has been pragmatic and cooperative with Buganda Kingdom in preserving the culture and heritage of Buganda. I always feel happy to see Catholic priests being installed as heir in their family, a proof that the Church respects our indigenous culture and heritage. Some priests, such as the late Fr. Lawrence Mudduse Yawe, have even gone to the greater length of promoting indigenous Ganda culture and cultural values through literature. He researched and wrote extensively about the Ganda last funeral rites, culture, faith and heritage. Knowing one thing does not mean hating another. I thank Kampala Archdiocese for establishing Kabaka Muteesa I Memorial Museum, which I am sure will promote and inspire faith, culture and heritage,” said Nsibirwa.
L-R: Fr. Dr. John Vianney Kitooro, Buganda's Deputy Katikkiro Robert Wagwa Nsibirwa, Archbishiop Paul Ssemogerere, Miss Tourism Uganda Nachap Cindy Kezia and Mrs. Annet Katende cut cake in celebration of the commissioning of Kabaka Muteesa I Catholic Memorial Museiun on October 25.
Nsibirwa later delivered the message from the Kabaka of Buganda, Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II, who lauded Kampala Archdiocese under the leadership of Archbishop Cyprian Kizito Lwanga (RIP) and his successor, Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere for putting up Kabaka Muteesa I Catholic Memorial Museum. He expressed hope that he museum will help people to understand the country’s history.
The function was graced by many dignitaries, including the Vice-Chancellor of Kampala University Prof. Badru Kateregga, the Rector of St. Mary’s National Seminary Ggaba, Fr. Dr. Lazarus Luyinda, and Sr. Mary Claire Nakubulwa of the Bannabiikira Sisters, just to name a few. Miss Tourism Uganda, Nachap Cindy Kezia, was also in attendance.
A peep into the museum
Kabaka Muteesa I Catholic Memorial Museum is beautifully decorated and stuffed with various things that help the visitor to understand the history of Buganda and Uganda.
The museum gives you a clear picture of the situation in central Uganda as it was prior to the coming of the pioneer Christian missionaries, the evangelistic activities of the missionaries, the swift and dynamic development of the Catholic Church and how it influenced/transformed Buganda and Uganda.
Things such as the attires of Fr. Simon Lourdel Mapeera and Bro. Delmas Amans (the pioneer Catholic missionaries), the liturgical vestments of the first native Ugandan priests; Msgr. Victoro Womeraka Mukasa and Fr. Bazilio Lumu, the cassock and episcopal mitre of the first black Africa Bishop Dr. Joseph Nakabaale Kiwanuka, and the bottle of soda that Pope Paul VI drank from when he visited Uganda in 1969, all some of the many items that will marvel you when you visit the museum.
Miss Tourism Uganda, Nachap Cindy Kezia (left) shares a moment with Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere (right) and the Deputy Katikkiro of Buganda Robert Wagwa Nsibirwa (centre) during the commissioning of Kabaka Muteesa I Catholic Memorial Museum on October 25.