Lugazi Catholic Diocese Joyfully Celebrates 25 years of existence

It was joy and thanksgiving to God yesterday the 27th of February as Lugazi Catholic Diocese Celebrated its silver Jubilee. Celebrated under the theme “Let us march on: Strengthened in the lord” the function started with the grand opening of the Jubilee center that consists of a restaurant, a supermarket, a healthcare center, and a teachers’ hostel.

The Jubilee monument was opened by the Papal Nuncio to Uganda Archbishop Luigi Bianco, and Bishop Christopher Kakooza the local ordinary blessed it accompanied by Bishop Mathias Sekamaanya the bishop emeritus of the diocese. Bishop Christopher Kakooza thanked the Christians for their sacrifice in funding the Jubilee monument whose proceeds will be used to fund diocesan works and programs.

The Mass was led by Bishop Christopher Kakooza, and the Bishop emeritus Mathias Sekamaanya delivered the homily. In his Homily Bishop Mathias Sekamaanya, congratulated the people of Lugazi Catholic Diocese upon reaching 25 years as a diocese, he noted the increase in the number of parishes, and increase in the number of priests and religious, and the establishment of additional social facilities such as Buikwe hospital. Bishop Sekamaanya further thanked the Mill Hill Missionaries who founded the diocese, the catechists for spreading the faith, and he encouraged the congregants to renew family prayer especially the praying of the rosary.

Bishop Christopher Kakooza congratulated the Christians, but even more importantly congratulated Bishop Sekamaanya who was the first bishop of the diocese. He too highlighted the growth that has happened in the diocese in the last 25 years which now has 30 parishes, 220 Primary schools, 25 secondary schools, 3 Vocational institutes, 2 seminaries and 4 hospitals.

The papal Nuncio to Uganda Archbishop Luigi Bianco passed on the apostolic blessing of His Holiness Pope Francis and encouraged the congregants to use the forthcoming season of lent to focus on Prayer, Fasting, and Charitable giving.

Archbishop Paul Semogerere of Kampala Archdiocese thanked Bishop Sekamaanya and Bishop Christopher Kakooza for the good work they have done in the diocese over the years. He bemoaned the increase of poverty in Uganda, and he encouraged the government of Uganda and Buganda kingdom to do more in improving the people’s standards of living.

Bishop Anthony Zziwa the Chairperson of the Uganda Episcopal Conference congratulated the diocese for making 25years. Bishop Ziwa encouraged Christians to protect Church land from land grabbers.

After Mass there was exhibition of Different Items from the Parishioners such Food.

Lugazi Catholic Diocese was erected on 23rd February 1997, with Bishop Matthias Ssekamanya as its First Ordinary until when he retired on the 4th of November 2014. Bishop Sekamaanya was succeeded by Rt. Rev. Christopher Kakooza, who was installed on 3rd January 2015.

The function was attended by thousands of people, and dignitaries from both Buganda government and Uganda government and the Kingdom of Buganda.