By Rogers Wanambwa 

KIU, Main Campus – On January 25th, 2022, former Bishop of Kasana – Luwero district, Paul Ssemogerere, was officially installed by the Roman Catholic Church of Uganda as the new Archbishop of Kampala Diocese.

Pope Francis selected him on 9th December 2021 and installed him as the 4th Archbishop of the Kampala Diocese. Before that, he served as the Bishop of Kasana-Luweero for 13 years. 

Archbishop Ssemogerere bid farewell to the church in Kasana earlier yesterday and proceeded to the Kampala Diocese at Matugga, where he was welcomed with a banquet of flowers and a Bible.

At Lubaga Cathedral, the installation process was led by Papal Nuncio Bianco.

Many distinguished people celebrated his first mass at Lubaga Cathedral, including Owek. Charles Peter Mayiga on behalf of the Buganda Kingdom, Prince Wasajja, Vice President Jessica Alupo on behalf of the President of Uganda and Speaker of Parliament Anita Among, Mr. Kyagulanyi Sentamu, President of the National Unity Platform, together with other opposition politicians and many others.

In his speech after the installation, he thanked God for the responsibility He has granted him to take up the lead at Kampala Archdiocese and asked God to bless him and everyone with unity.

The Archbishop thanked the Buganda Kingdom because of Kabaka Mutesa 1, who generously donated the whole land of Lubaga Hill to the Catholic church.

Prince Wasajja delivered the message of Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II.

He hailed the new Archbishop of Kampala Archdiocese and vowed to maintain a good relationship between the Kingdom and the Catholic church.

Vice President Jessica Alupo, on behalf of the President, urged religious leaders to encourage their followers to work and develop themselves. She said that the government remains devoted to working with the church.

The President of Uganda, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, sent a car gift to the New Archbishop immediately handed over by VP Jessica Alupo.

The Late Archbishop Cyprian Lwanga, who passed away in April 2021, was remembered by religious leaders and prayed for during the mass.