All Catholic Bishops in Uganda are set to embark on a week-long retreat starting tomorrow, during which they will dedicate their focus to various issues, including praying for the Church and the nation. The announcement of the retreat was made by Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere of Kampala and Bishop Joseph Anthony Zziwa of Kiyinda Mityana Diocese, who also serves as the head of the Uganda Catholic Episcopal Conference (UCEC).
The disclosure came during celebrations marking the 145th anniversary of the arrival of the first Catholic Missionaries, Fr. Lourdel (Mapeera) and Bro. Amans, at Kiguungu – Entebbe. The event, known as “Mapeera Day,” also commemorated sixty years since the canonization of the Uganda Martyrs.
Addressing the congregation, Bishop Ssemogerere urged Christians to pray for their leaders during the retreat, emphasizing the importance of spiritual support for the bishops. The event was attended by retired Papal Nuncio Bishop Augustine Kasujja, who highlighted the significance of relics of saints Charles Lwanga and Matia Mulumba in invoking intercession for the faithful.
In his sermon, Bishop Ssemogerere conveyed warm greetings from Cardinal Emmanuel Wamala and commended the generosity of the Buganda kingdom and various families for donating land for church development. However, he expressed concern over instances of land grabbing and urged Christians to uphold the mission of evangelization initiated by the missionaries.
Bishop Zziwa announced Nebbi Diocese as the host of this year’s Martyrs Day celebrations and called for prayers for Uganda and other countries facing challenges to Christianity. Meanwhile, Father Richard Nyombi revealed plans to take the martyrs’ relics to all seventy-five parishes of Kampala Archdiocese, encouraging pilgrimages and prayers for peace and faith renewal.
The event also witnessed a fundraising drive led by Bishop Ssemogerere for the renovation of the Mapeera Shrine at Kiguungu, which garnered over Shs 17 million in cash and pledges. Notable attendees included former East African Legislative Assembly speaker Margaret Zziwa and Wakiso district chairman Matia Lwanga Bwanika, among others.
