Kampala Vicar decries religious dualism

By Mathias Mazinga

A wooden chair and walking stick, said to have been used by Fr. Simeon Lourdel Mapeera caused unprecedented excitement during the celebrations to mark the 136th anniversary of the Catholic faith at Kitebi Sub-parish church in Rubaga Division.

Fr. Mapeera and his colleague Bro. Delmas Amans arrived at Kigungu Landing Site in Entebbe on February 17, 1879. 

The French priests, who belonged to the Catholic religious missionary Society of White Fathers (also called missionaries of Africa) subsequently travelled by foot through Kisubi to Kitebi (in Rubaga division), where they met Amir Ssekikubo, a Muslim chief, who accommodated them for two weeks as they awaited their meeting with the Kabaka of Buganda, Muteesa I. 

Catholics make an annual pilgrimage to the memorial chapel of Fr. Mapeera and Bro. Amans at Kitebi, on February 21, to commemorate the occasion of the arrival of Fr. Mapeera and Bro. Amans in Kitebi.

According to Nusura Namutebi, the grand-daughter of Amir Ssekikubo, the two missionaries arrived in Kitebi in the evening. 

Ssekikubo then requested the missionaries to stay at his home for the night and meet the Kabaka at his palace in Rubaga, the following day, since it was already too late for them to have audience with him. 

But when Ssekikubo took the missionaries to the palace the following day, the Kabaka, through his Katikkiro, asked Ssekikubo to stay with the missionaries, for two weeks, as his council examined their case. 

It was during this time that Ssekikubo developed personal friendship with Mapeera and even gave him the chair and walking stick that his family members have preserved until this day.

The pilgrimage celebrations were presided over by the Vicar-General of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Kampala, the Rt. Rev. Msgr. Charles Kasibante, who asked contemporary Catholics to emulate the faith and good examples of the pioneer missionaries. 

“The pioneer missionaries left their beautiful country, France, dared the sea and lake waters, traversed forests and inlands. They endured enormous difficulties which included sickness, hostility and death. Even when they arrived here at Kitebi, they did not have the guarantee that the Kabaka would give them permission to preach the gospel. But the immense love they had for their religion and, their deep faith kept them moving.”

Kasibante further expressed concern over the declining religious conviction of many Christians, which he said, had led them to play double-standards. 

“It hurts to see some of our Christians in church during day and when darkness falls, they go to the traditional shrines for divination. Incredible vices like terrorism, open prostitution, homosexuality and drug-abuse are also manifestations of our dwindling faith. Let us go back to our roots. Let us observe the fundamental teachings of our faith as they were presented to us by the missionaries,” said Kasibante.

The care-taker of the memorial church, Fr. Andrew Zziwa called upon Christians and all Ugandans of good will to donate money towards its renovation and extension.

The Very Rev. Fr. Richard Nnyombi, who represented the White Fathers, asked the Christians to seek the intercession of Fr. Mapeera, and Bro. Amans. Nnyombi explained that the cause for the beatification and eventual canonisation of Mapeera and Amans had been opened, but the Vatican needed proven miracles attained through their intercession, to guarantee their beatification and subsequent sainthood.

At the end of the mass, several Christians posed for pictures at Mapeera’s chair and also with his walking stick.