Kitebi emerges as new centre of religious tourism

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Faith and history meet in a remarkable way at Kitebi, located in Rubaga Division, in Kampala. Each year, pilgrims gather there not only to pray, but also to remember a simple act of hospitality that helped shape Uganda’s religious story more than a century ago.

During the celebrations marking the 147th anniversary of the arrival of the pioneer Catholic missionaries in Uganda at Kigungu Landing Site on February 17, 2026, attention once again turned to Kitebi - now widely regarded as an important centre of religious tourism. The site holds a special place in history as the location of the first recorded encounter between Catholics and Muslims in Uganda.

Hon. John Chrysostom Muyingo (third-left) shares a photo moment with Fr. Richard Nnyombi of the missionary society of the White Fathers (fourth-left) and the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa. This was during the celebration of the 147th anniversary of Catholic Muslim Cooperation at Kitebi on February 22, 2022.

According to records of the Catholic Church, the memorable meeting occurred on February 21, 1879. A Muslim official in the Buganda Kingdom, Amir Ssekikubo, welcomed two pioneer Catholic missionaries - Simeon Lourdel Mapeera and Delmas Amans - into his home in Kitebi.

The two French clerics from the missionary society known as the White Fathers (Missionaries of Africa) had arrived in Uganda just days earlier and were on their way to seek permission from Mutesa I of Buganda to preach in his kingdom.

But as evening fell, Ssekikubo advised them not to proceed to the royal palace at night—a move that would have violated Ganda customs and protocol. Instead, he offered them shelter at his home and helped arrange their audience with the king.

The scheduled meeting during which Muteesa gave permission to the missionaries to preach in his kingdom (and also gave them land at Nabulagala-Lubya to establish their mission station), took place at his palace in Lubaga (current location of Lubaga Cathedral) on February 23, 1879.

The Muslim faithful led by Maulana Mohammed (fourth-left) praying for peace. This was during the commemoration of the 147th anniversary of Catholic-Muslim Cooperation at Mapeera Memorial sub-parish church Kitebi, in Rubaga Division on February 22, 2026.

Catholic researchers/historians deem the friendly encounter between Ssekikubo and the Catholic missionaries to be the beginning of inter-faith solidarity in Uganda, specifically between Catholics and Muslims. 

Every year, on February 21, Catholics make a pilgrimage of faith to Mapeera Memorial sub-parish church, Kitebi (in Rubaga Division), to commemorate this historic religious event. The hitherto modest church stands next to Ssekikubo’s home, on a plot that Ssekikubo’s heir, the late Musa Kaggwa, donated to the Catholic Church.

During the annual pilgrimage, the Catholic pilgrims are always joined by Muslims, who pray with them during mass. After mass, the Catholics also join their Muslim brethren in the Dua prayers for Amir Ssekikubo and the other deceased members of the family.

This year’s pilgrimage to Kitebi took place on February 22, 2026. The mass was presided over by the Archbishop of Kampala Archdiocese, the Most Rev. Paul Ssemogerere, together with the parish-priest of Bunnamwaya, Fr. Francis Ssemuddu.  The function was also graced by Fr. Richard Nnyombi (Missionary of Africa) and a number of Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa (MSOLA).

Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere (wearing a mitre) shares a photo-moment with some of the Catholic married men and women who graced the celebration of the 147th anniversary of Catholic-Muslim Cooperation at Mapeera Memorial sub-parish church Kitebi, in Rubaga Division on February 22, 2026.

During the function, Ssekikubo’s grand-children led by Nusura Namutebi, reassured Archbishop Ssemogerere that no member of the family would dispossess the Church of the land that the family donated to the Catholics.

Still, during the same function, Archbishop Ssemogerere launched a mega-fundraising drive for the construction of the proposed modern church.  About sh11m was raised in cash and pledges. The state minister for higher education, Dr. John Chrysostom Muyingo was among the donors.