Bishop Lawrence Mukasa Ordains Seven New Priests, Assigns them to Pastoral Ministry

By BERNARD BAKALU

Luweero

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Kasana-Luweero on Saturday, August 22, 2026, celebrated the Ordination to the Priesthood of seven Deacons and the Ordination to the Diaconate of five seminarians, in a solemn ceremony presided over by the Bishop of Kasana-Luweero, the Rt. Rev. Lawrence Mukasa.

The celebration, held at Our Lady of Fatima Queen of Peace Kasana Cathedral, brought together clergy, Religious, seminarians, family members, friends and hundreds of the faithful from across the Diocese and beyond.

The atmosphere at the Diocesan headquarters was marked by prayer, thanksgiving and joy as the faithful gathered to witness the candidates receive the Sacrament of Holy Orders and begin new stages in their vocation to the service of God and His Church.

The ceremony began with the traditional entrance procession, followed by the celebration of Holy Mass, with Bishop Mukasa as the principal celebrant.

The Cathedral sanctuary was filled with priests from Kasana-Luweero Diocese and neighbouring Dioceses who had gathered to concelebrate the Eucharist and witness the ordinations.

The celebration was moderated by Rev. Fr. Boniface Ssenteza, who served as commentator.

Bishop welcomes newly ordained priests

In his homily, Bishop Mukasa welcomed the seven candidates to the presbyterate, describing their ordination as a moment of thanksgiving to God and the fruit of their perseverance and commitment to their vocation.

“Welcome to the clergy. This is your day as you cross over into the clergy. We thank you for your perseverance and commitment,” Bishop Mukasa told the candidates.

He added: “You are our best gift from God this year. We welcome you into our midst as the joy of our hearts. Congratulations and you are most welcome.”

The Bishop urged the ordinands to remain faithful to Christ and steadfast in their priestly ministry, despite the challenges they may encounter in their pastoral service.

He reminded them that the priesthood is a vocation of service and called upon them to faithfully fulfil the promises they were making before God and the Church.

Bishop Mukasa further challenged the newly ordained priests to proclaim the Gospel faithfully and authentically, urging them to ensure that their preaching and pastoral ministry remain firmly rooted in the Catholic faith.

He assured them of his continued prayers, particularly that they would remain faithful to Christ and steadfast in their priestly commitments.

Seven ordained to the Priesthood

Following the homily, the Church proceeded with the Rite of Ordination.

The names of the candidates were presented by Rev. Fr. Godfrey Sserulangira, the Diocesan Vocations Director, who testified to their suitability for ordination.

The candidates were then called forward and presented to the Bishop before responding to the questions concerning their willingness to undertake the responsibilities and obligations of the sacred ministry.

The seven candidates for the Priesthood publicly expressed their willingness to serve God and His Church and to remain obedient to their Bishop and his successors.

The Rite of Ordination then proceeded with the Litany of Supplication, the laying on of hands, the Prayer of Ordination and the other prescribed rites of the Sacrament of Holy Orders.

The newly ordained priests were subsequently vested with the priestly stole and chasuble, received the anointing of their hands with sacred chrism and were presented with the sacred vessels associated with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist.

Bishop Mukasa then welcomed each of the newly ordained priests into the presbyterate with an embrace, in a visible sign of their communion with the Bishop and the presbyterate of the Diocese.

Priests offer blessings to their seven newly ordained confrères at Kasana Cathedral on Saturday, August 22, 2026. PHOTO BY BERNARD BAKALU.

New priests receive pastoral assignments

At the conclusion of the ordination celebration, Bishop Mukasa formally announced the pastoral assignments of the seven newly ordained priests, deploying them to different parishes within Kasana-Luweero Diocese.

The newly ordained priests and their assignments are:

• Rev. Fr. Cyprian Kaliisa — Katuugo Parish
• Rev. Fr. Julius Luttamaguzi — Mulajje Parish
• Rev. Fr. Wasswa Lubega Paul — Lwampanga Parish
• Rev. Fr. Kato David Nkugwa — Nakitoma Parish
• Rev. Fr. Expedito Kisitu — Kijaguzo Parish
• Rev. Fr. Mathew Mulamira — Bugongo Parish
• Rev. Fr. Hilary Tebuseeke — Kansiira Parish

The assignments will see the newly ordained priests begin their pastoral ministry among the faithful in their respective parishes.

Five seminarians ordained to the Diaconate

The celebration also included the Ordination to the Diaconate of five seminarians, marking another significant stage in their journey towards the Priesthood.

They are:

• Deacon Pontian Ssegawa
• Deacon Thomas Kibajjiro
• Deacon Robert Mujjuzi
• Deacon John Mary Osinde
• Deacon Kato Matovu Peter

The five are now to exercise the ministry of the Diaconate as they continue their formation and preparation for priestly ordination.

Bishop remembers deceased priests and pastoral workers

During his homily, Bishop Mukasa also invited the congregation to remember in prayer members of the Diocesan family who had recently died.

He called for a moment of silence in remembrance of the late Rev. Fr. Simon Peter Ssessanga and Rev. Fr. Chrispine Okello Oduor, who served the Diocese before their death.

He also remembered the late Harriet Namirembe, who served in the vocation ministry in Kakooge Parish.

The Bishop expressed appreciation to Rev. Fr. Celestine Byekwaso for his support towards the candidates throughout their formation and preparation for Holy Orders.

Bishop congratulates Fr. Katongole on Vatican appointment

Bishop Mukasa also congratulated Rev. Fr. Prof. Emmanuel Katongole upon his appointment by Pope Leo XIV as a consultor to the Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.

The appointment was announced on August 18, 2026, alongside the appointment of 11 other consultors from different parts of the world.

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Katongole

Bishop Mukasa encouraged the faithful to support the Diocese’s pastoral programmes and specifically invited them to attend the inauguration of Lwampanga Parish on September 12, 2026.

He noted that the Diocese has continued to expand its pastoral outreach through the establishment and inauguration of new parishes.

More pastoral appointments announced

The Bishop also announced several changes among the Diocesan clergy.

Rev. Fr. Godfrey Sserulangira has been transferred from Mulajje Parish to Kyegombwa Parish, where he will serve as Assistant Parish Priest while continuing in his responsibility as Diocesan Vocations Director.

Rev. Fr. Frank Kasule has been transferred from Kijaguzo Parish to Kazwaama Parish, where he will serve as Assistant Parish Priest.

Meanwhile, Rev. Fr. Christopher Kibuuka has been transferred from Nattyole Parish to Kasana Cathedral, where he will serve as Assistant Cathedral Administrator.

Laity pledge support to newly ordained priests

The Diocesan Leader of the Laity, Mr. Ronald Ssemakula, congratulated the Catholics of Kasana-Luweero Diocese upon the gift of the seven new priests and urged the faithful to support and work closely with them in their pastoral ministry.

The Diocesan Vocations Director, Rev. Fr. Godfrey Sserulangira, thanked the clergy, Religious, faithful and, in particular, the parents of the newly ordained priests for supporting their children throughout their vocational journey.

He commended the parents for offering their sons to the service of Christ and His Church.

New priests pledge to serve

Speaking on behalf of the newly ordained priests, Rev. Fr. Kato David Nkugwa expressed gratitude to all those who had contributed to their journey towards the Priesthood.

He assured the Bishop, clergy and faithful that the newly ordained priests were ready to serve God and His people with dedication.

Rev. Fr. Kato David Nkugwa speaks on behalf of the seven newly ordained priests after their ordination at Kasana Cathedral on Saturday, August 22, 2026. He is flanked by his six fellow newly ordained priests. PHOTO BY BERNARD BAKALU.

Vicar General Speaks

Msgr. Vincent De Paul Mukiibi, the Diocesan Vicar General, congratulated the seven new priests and welcomed them into the presbyterate.

Msgr. Mukiibi who is also the Kasana Cathedral Administrator also congratulated the five newly ordained Deacons and encouraged them as they continued their journey towards the Priesthood.

Msgr. Mukiibi thanked Bishop Mukasa for his continued efforts to establish new parishes, noting that the expansion of the Diocese’s parish network has brought pastoral services closer to the faithful.

Eight new parishes inaugurated

He noted that Bishop Mukasa has, since the beginning of the year, inaugurated eight new parishes as part of the Diocese’s pastoral expansion.

They include Nakitoma, Wobulenzi, Katuugo, Kyegombwa, Bugongo, Kansiira, Waluleeta and Kazaama.

The expansion is intended to strengthen pastoral care and make the Church’s presence and services more accessible to the faithful across the Diocese.

Kasana-Luweero welcomes seven new priests

The ordination brings renewed joy to Kasana-Luweero Diocese and adds seven new priests to its presbyterate at a time when the Diocese continues to expand its pastoral structures.

The seven priests will now begin their ministry in their respective parishes, where they are expected to celebrate the Sacraments, proclaim the Word of God, accompany the faithful in their spiritual journey and participate in the pastoral mission of the Diocese.

According to the KALUDIPA 2025 Annual Report, presented on November 27, 2025, the Kasana-Luweero Diocesan Priests’ Association had 84 members at the time.

The Association subsequently lost one of its members, the late Rev. Fr. Simon Peter Ssessanga.

With the addition of the seven newly ordained priests, the Association’s membership now stands at 90 priests.

Kasana-Luweero Diocese covers the civic districts of Luweero, Nakaseke and Nakasongola.

-END-