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CELEBRATING LIFE 

Even after 71 years since his death, Archbishop Henry Streicher (locally known as Munsennyere Sitenseera) still commands great reverence. 

The prelate of French descent is acknowledged as one of the most prominent confreres of the Catholic Missionary Society of White Fathers, also known as Missionaries of Africa. 

Streicher worked as the Vicar Apostolic (Archbishop) of Uganda from 1897 to 1952. He had a base at Villa-Maria, Masaka (currently in Kalungu district), from which he did several remarkable things for the Catholic Church and Uganda. 

Archbishop Streicher is most notably remembered for championing the establishment of the indigenous Catholic presbyterium in Uganda. 

He strongly advocated, defended, and promoted the training of native Ugandan priests, even when some people in Europe doubted the humanity of Africans. 

His African clerical crusade climaxed with the ordination of the first native priests in Uganda. Streicher placed his episcopal hands on two priests, Fr Bazilio Lumu and Msgr Victoro Womeraka Mukasa, at Villa-Maria Proto-Cathedral on June 29, 1913. 

Archbishop Henry Streicher

Streicher's work  

One of the most admirable things about Streicher is the fact that he founded the first ever indigenous African Catholic feminine religious institute, the Daughters of Mary. 

The institute, which was locally referred to as the Bannabiikira Sisters, was established in 1910. 

In addition, he established the congregation’s Mother House at Bwanda, Masaka, in Kalungu district. Ever since its establishment 114 years ago, the Banabiikira Sisters have had a strong presence in many parishes, where they support the catechetical and evangelistic ministry of the Church. 

The Sisters are active in the fields of education, health services, social work, and social development. They currently administer schools that include St. Aloysius SS Bwanda, St. Theresa P. S. Bwanda, Our Lady Queen of Africa SS Rubaga, Buyege SSS in Mpigi district, and St. Mark VII School for the Deaf Bwanda. 

They also manage several health facilities, including Villa-Maria Hospitals, and are involved in agriculture and manufacturing. 

The celebrations 

The presence of the Bannabiikira Sisters shone more clearly during their religious celebrations that were held at their Mother House in Bwanda on Monday. 

During the function, 14 sisters made their perpetual vows, committing themselves to live a life of religious poverty, chastity, and obedience in accordance with the congregation’s rules and constitutional requirements for the rest of their lives. 

The Sisters made their final vows before the congregation’s Mother General, the Very Rev. Sr Mary Noeline Namusoke, and the Bishop of Masaka, the Rt. Rev. Serverus Jjumba. Each of them was then given a religious ring to symbolise that they are now spouses of Christ. 

An elderly nun, Rev. Sr Maria Patricia, from Kampala Archdiocese, celebrated 75 years as a consecrated religious. 

The fruitful religious ministry of the jubilarians attracted the attention of Pope Francis, who imparted upon them his Apostolic Blessing. 

The function was elevated by the presence of the Bishop of Hoima, the Rt. Rev. Vincent Kirabo and the Bishop of Kasana-Luweero, the Rt. Rev. Lawrence Mukasa, spoke highly of the ministry of the Bannabiikira Sisters, and the presence of over 200 white-chasuble-donning Catholic priests. 

During the same function, the Mother General of the Bannabiikira Sisters Sr Noeline Namusoke introduced 11 teenage Sisters who took their first vows and eight former postulants, who were admitted to the congregation’s novitiate.

Bishop Serverus Jjumba (wearing a mitre) handing over the Apostolic Blessing of Pope Archbishop Henry Streicher Francis to Sr Maria Patricia. (All Photos by Mathias Mazinga)

The sisters 

The Sisters, who made their perpetual vows from the Masaka diocese include Sr Tereza Nakyanja, Sr Catherine Nakityo, Sr Maria Nakitto, Sr Jennifer Nassuna, Sr Restetuta Nabalema, Sr Josephine Namutebi, Sr Mary Judith Namuyomba, and Sr Victoria Nabagesera. 

The sisters from Kenya include Sr Nancy Kwamboka, Sr Emily Kwamboka, and Sr Rosemary Moraa. 

The other sisters were Sr Sarah Namara and Sr Yustina Ahimbisibwe from the Mbarara Archdiocese and Sr Gloria Jacinta Kabuleeta from the Kampala Diocese. 

The congregation also had a good number of Jubilarians. They included Sr Cecilia Mbambu from Fort Portal diocese and Sr Noelina Namuli from Masaka diocese, who celebrated 25 years in religious life. 

The jubilarians that celebrated 50 years include Sr Mary Sylvia Nakato, Sr Margaret Concepta Nangendo, and Sr Dr Frances Ambrose Nakiwala from the Kampala Archdiocese; Sr Mary Leticia and Sr Regina Consolate Nakamya from the Masaka diocese; and Sr Annet Mary Nabisere from the Kiyinda-Mityana diocese. 

The diamond jubilarians in the congregation included Sr Angella Namatovu, Sr Maria Raphael Nakato, Sr Theresa Symphorosa, Sr Josephine Stephano, Sr Thomas More Babirye, Sr Mary Clement Namakula, Sr Magdalene Nakkazi and Sr Mary Philomera Nakiwala from Masaka diocese. 

The other jubilarians included Sr Maria Eugenia Magdalene from the Hoima diocese, Sr Maria Sezario and Sr Maria Tarcis Nassazi from the Kiyinda-Mityana diocese, Sr Yozefu Kizito Zawedde and Sr Mary Maurice Nankabirwa from the Kampala Archdiocese and Sr Mary Tereza from the Lugazi diocese.