History of Kasana-Luweero Diocese
Historically, most areas that now form the Kasana-Luweero Diocese belonged to Lubaga Diocese in the 1890s, later becoming part of the Vicariate of Uganda, and eventually under Kampala Diocese by the 1960s. It is important to note that Lubaga Diocese ceased to exist in 1966 when Kampala Archdiocese and Jinja Diocese were created, effectively ending the once-mighty Lubaga Archdiocese.
The Diocese of Kasana-Luweero was officially established on November 30, 1996. On December 16, 1996, at Nabinoonya Beach, while priests from Kampala Archdiocese, together with Bishop Emmanuel Cardinal Wamala, gathered to thank God for the gift of priesthood, the cardinal announced that Pope John Paul II had sent a Christmas card. The message in the card revealed that the Catholic Church in Uganda would receive two new dioceses: Kasana-Luweero Diocese and Lugazi Diocese. Monsignor Cyprian K. Lwanga was appointed the first Bishop of Kasana-Luweero, while Dr. Mathias Ssekamanya was appointed Bishop of Lugazi.
The Diocese of Lugazi comprised the district of Mukono, which had a Catholic population of 332,600. The Diocese of Kasana-Luweero, by 1997, comprised the District of Luweero with a Catholic population of 153,700. Although the Catholic Church in Uganda had focused on establishing local dioceses since 1953, the creation of Kasana-Luweero Diocese came as a surprise to many. It is worth noting that both Kasana-Luweero and Lugazi dioceses were carved simultaneously from Kampala Archdiocese.
According to many eyewitnesses, including Mr. Dominico, the selection of Kasana as the diocesan headquarters came as a shock. Many had expected Kasaala to be chosen, as it was a more prominent area at the time. Kasaala was then administered by the Comboni Missionaries, while Kasana was only a sub-parish of Kasaala.
On March 1, 1997, Monsignor Cyprian Kizito Lwanga was ordained bishop by His Eminence Emmanuel Cardinal Wamala. The ordination was witnessed by a large gathering of clergy and lay faithful, marking the beginning of his tenure as the first bishop of the newly established diocese.
At that time, Kasana-Luweero Diocese comprised only the districts of Luweero and Nakasongola, presenting the new bishop with a significant challenge: to shepherd a population with a troubled past and a strong desire for spiritual revival. According to the first diocesan pastoral report (1997/1998), as of March 3, 1998, Kasana-Luweero Diocese covered 8,539 square kilometers with a total population of 510,000 people. Of this population, 30% were Catholic, 60% belonged to other Christian denominations, and the remaining 10% followed other faiths.
Between 1997 and 1998, the diocese had 28 priests, including:
- 3 Verona Fathers
- 2 Apostles of Jesus priests
- 4 Salesian Fathers
- 19 indigenous priests
During the same period, Kasana-Luweero Diocese had four institutes for religious life, two for men, including one Salesian brother and one Brother of Amans.
More history to be added………………
