Kasana-Luweero Diocesan Judicial Vicar Celebrates Priestly Silver Jubilee as Pope Leo Bestows Apostolic Blessing

Kasana-Luweero Diocesan Judicial Vicar Celebrates Priestly Silver Jubilee as Pope Leo Bestows Apostolic Blessing

By BERNARD BAKALU

Nakasongola

On Saturday, September 5, 2026, the Judicial Vicar of Kasana-Luweero Diocese, Rev. Fr. Dr. Lawrence Kizito Kimbowa, marked a significant milestone in his priestly ministry as he celebrated his Priestly Silver Jubilee—25 years of faithful service to God and His Church.

Fr. Kimbowa, who was ordained to the Sacred Priesthood on August 18, 2001, currently serves in several capacities within the Diocese. He is the Parish Priest of St. Anthony Catholic Parish, Migyera, Dean of Nakasongola Deanery, Judicial Vicar of Kasana-Luweero Diocese, and Chairperson of the Diocesan Construction Committee.

A Joyful Arrival

The jubilarian’s journey to Migyera began from Kasana, more than 70 kilometers away, where he travelled in an open-roofed white Land Cruiser accompanied by a brass band.

As he passed through Migyera Town, Fr. Kimbowa waved to the faithful who had gathered along the route to welcome him and share in the joy of his Silver Jubilee.

He arrived at the parish grounds at about 9:00 a.m., where he was received by Rev. Fr. Joseph Wagunywa, his assistant in the pastoral ministry at St. Anthony Catholic Parish, Migyera.

By the time of his arrival, the Bishop of Kasana-Luweero Diocese, Rt. Rev. Lawrence Mukasa, the Vicar General, Msgr. Vincent De Paul Mukiibi, priests, religious men and women, parishioners and other well-wishers had already gathered to welcome the jubilarian.

Fr. Wagunywa was followed by the Vicar General and several priests in welcoming Fr. Kimbowa, embracing him and offering words of congratulations on the milestone.

Fr. Kimbowa was then led into St. Anthony Catholic Parish Church by Rev. Fr. Denis Ssebuggwaawo, Chairperson of the Organizing Committee for the jubilee celebrations.

Inside the church, Bishop Mukasa was seated in prayerful anticipation. The Bishop rose to welcome the jubilarian as he entered the sacred space.

Fr. Kimbowa proceeded towards the sanctuary and knelt in prayer before the altar, offering his thanksgiving to God for the gift of his priestly vocation and 25 years of ministry.

He was subsequently led to the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, where he knelt in prayer and placed a flower as a sign of filial devotion and entrustment to her maternal intercession.

A Tree of Thanksgiving and Continuity

The prayerful moment was followed by the planting of a commemorative tree, symbolizing the growth, fruitfulness and enduring legacy of Fr. Kimbowa’s priestly ministry.

Bishop Mukasa also planted a tree, joining the jubilarian in marking the significant milestone.

The activities were followed by preparations for the celebration of Holy Mass, with the liturgical procession beginning at approximately 9:45 a.m.

The commentary was provided by Rev. Fr. Achilles Kiwanuka, Diocesan Treasurer General.

The Holy Mass was presided over by the jubilarian himself, bringing together the clergy, religious and lay faithful in thanksgiving to God for the gift of his vocation and years of priestly service.

‘God Chose You for a Reason’

The homily was delivered by Rev. Fr. Dr. Lazarus Luyinda, Rector of St. Mary’s National Major Seminary, Ggaba.

In his homily, Fr. Luyinda reminded Fr. Kimbowa that his vocation to the priesthood was not accidental, but part of God’s divine plan.

He told the jubilarian that God called him after he had opened his heart to a relationship with Christ.

Fr. Luyinda described a Jubilee as a sacred moment of prayer, forgiveness, restoration of identity, deepening one’s relationship with God and undertaking a pilgrimage back to the Lord.

He also emphasized that a Jubilee provides an opportunity to mend broken relationships and restore bonds that may have been weakened over the years.

Reflecting on the vocation of the Catholic priest, Fr. Luyinda observed that while no human being is indispensable, the priesthood carries a unique sacramental character.

He explained that every Catholic priest possesses a particular grace and responsibility entrusted to him by God, especially through the celebration of the Holy Eucharist and the other Sacraments.

Fr. Luyinda encouraged Fr. Kimbowa to allow the Silver Jubilee to renew and energize his commitment to the Sacred Priesthood.

“Let this celebration energize you again,” he stressed.

Pope Leo Bestows Apostolic Blessing on Fr. Kimbowa

The celebrations took another significant spiritual dimension after Bishop Mukasa announced that Pope Leo had extended a special Apostolic Blessing to Fr. Kimbowa in recognition of his 25 years of faithful priestly ministry.

The Bishop invited the Diocesan Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Dr. Emmanuel Ssekyanzi Lyevuze, to solemnly read the message conveying the Holy Father’s Apostolic Blessing to the jubilarian.

Bishop Mukasa commended Fr. Kimbowa for his unwavering commitment, fidelity and generous service to the Church throughout his 25 years in the Sacred Priesthood.

The Prelate particularly recognized his service as Chairperson of the Diocesan Construction Committee, praising his contribution to the growth and development of the Diocese.

He also acknowledged Fr. Kimbowa’s service as Diocesan Judicial Vicar, a ministry through which he assists the Bishop in the administration of justice and the pastoral care of the faithful in accordance with the law of the Church.

Bishop Mukasa urged the jubilarian never to grow weary in the Lord’s service, but to continue exercising his priestly ministry with renewed zeal, fidelity, humility and pastoral charity, for the greater glory of God and the salvation of souls.

A Journey from the Ghetto to the Altar

In his speech, Fr. Kimbowa expressed heartfelt gratitude to God and to all those who had accompanied, supported and nurtured him throughout his journey of faith and priestly vocation.

In a deeply personal testimony, the jubilarian recounted how his vocation was profoundly influenced by the late Dr. Cyprian Kizito Lwanga, Archbishop of Kampala, whom he described as a father figure and a key instrument in his journey to the priesthood.

Fr. Kimbowa revealed that his childhood was marked by significant family challenges which affected his education. At one point, he could not attend school because his parents were unable to meet the required school fees.

To survive, the young Kimbowa began selling polythene bags and paraffin at a small trading centre in Ndeeba, a suburb of Kampala.

Despite the family’s financial difficulties, his late father, Remegious Ssonko, who was a parishioner at Ndeeba Catholic Parish, ensured that his son remained connected to the life of the Church.

He regularly sent young Kimbowa to attend catechism classes, where he was prepared for the reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation.

It was through this involvement in parish life that the young Kimbowa came to the attention of the then Rev. Fr. Cyprian Kizito Lwanga.

Impressed by the boy’s enthusiasm for the things of God and his desire to participate in Church activities, Fr. Lwanga invited him to serve as an altar boy.

Around the same period, Fr. Lwanga entrusted Kimbowa’s father with a role as a volunteer at Ndeeba Parish.

Through his interaction with the family, Fr. Lwanga eventually discovered that young Kimbowa was not attending school.

The priest personally encountered him in the Ndeeba ghetto, where he was selling polythene bags to earn money.

Concerned about the boy’s future, Fr. Lwanga repeatedly urged him to return to school.

However, Kimbowa admitted that he was initially reluctant to abandon his small business because it provided him with some income.

So persistent were the priest’s appeals that the young Kimbowa would sometimes hide whenever he saw Fr. Lwanga approaching.

But the priest did not give up.

Eventually, Fr. Lwanga took Kimbowa to Lubaga Boys’ Primary School, giving him another opportunity to pursue his education.

Although he returned to school, Kimbowa still found time to engage in his small business of selling polythene bags.

From Admiration of the Cassock to the Seminary

The turning point in his life came when young Kimbowa developed an admiration for the priestly cassock worn by Fr. Lwanga.

He eventually expressed his desire to dress like the priest.

Kimbowa personally asked Fr. Lwanga whether he too could one day wear the cassock.

The priest encouraged him, telling him that he could pursue that path by joining the seminary after completing Primary Seven.

True to his word, after Kimbowa completed Primary Seven, Fr. Cyprian Kizito Lwanga took him to St. Joseph’s Seminary, Nyenga, setting him on the path that would eventually lead him to the Sacred Priesthood.

Fr. Kimbowa said the late Archbishop Lwanga remained a fatherly figure in his life and played an instrumental role in discerning, nurturing and guiding his vocation.

He attributed much of his journey from the difficult circumstances of his childhood to the priesthood to the intervention, encouragement and pastoral care of the late Archbishop.

For Fr. Kimbowa, the Silver Jubilee was therefore not merely a celebration of 25 years at the altar, but a profound act of thanksgiving to God for His providence, the gift of vocation and the people He placed along his journey.

FR. L. KIMBOWA’S PRIESTLY SILVER JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS IN PICTURES

 Bishop L. Mukasa presents Pope Leo’s blessing to Rev. Fr. Dr. Lawrence K. Kimbowa during his Priestly Silver Jubilee celebrations at Migyera Parish, on Saturday, September 5, 2026. PHOTO BY BERNARD BAKALU

 Rev. Fr. Dr. Lawrence K. Kimbowa displays the Apostolic Blessing bestowed by Pope Leo during his Priestly Silver Jubilee celebrations at St. Anthony Catholic Parish, Migyera, on Saturday, September 5, 2026. PHOTO BY BERNARD BAKALU.

 

Rev. Fr. Dr. Lawrence K. Kimbowa arrives at St. Anthony Catholic Parish, Migyera, ahead of his Priestly Silver Jubilee celebrations on Saturday, September 5, 2026. PHOTO BY BERNARD BAKALU.

 

 Rev. Fr. Joseph Wagunywa, the Parish Priest of St. Anthony Catholic Parish, Migyera, welcomes Rev. Fr. Dr. Lawrence K. Kimbowa upon his arrival at the parish grounds ahead of his Priestly Silver Jubilee celebrations on Saturday, September 5, 2026. PHOTO BY BERNARD BAKALU.

 

Kasana-Luweero Diocesan Vicar General Msgr. Vincent De Paul Mukiibi greets welcomes Rev. Fr. Dr. Lawrence K. Kimbowa upon his arrival at the parish grounds ahead of his Priestly Silver Jubilee celebrations on Saturday, September 5, 2026. PHOTO BY BERNARD BAKALU.

 

 Rev. Fr. Denis Ssebuggwaawo, Chairperson of the Organizing Committee for Fr. Kimbowa’s Priestly Silver Jubilee celebrations, leads Rev. Fr. Dr. Lawrence K. Kimbowa into St. Anthony Catholic Parish Church, Migyera, upon his arrival at the parish grounds ahead of the celebrations on Saturday, September 5, 2026. PHOTO BY BERNARD BAKALU.

 

 Rev. Fr. Dr. Lawrence K. Kimbowa walks to greet Rt. Rev. Lawrence Mukasa, Bishop of Kasana-Luweero Diocese, upon his arrival at the Migyera parish grounds ahead of his Priestly Silver Jubilee celebrations on Saturday, September 5, 2026. PHOTO BY BERNARD BAKALU.

 

 Rt. Rev. Lawrence Mukasa, Bishop of Kasana-Luweero Diocese, greets Rev. Fr. Dr. Lawrence K. Kimbowa inside St. Anthony Catholic Parish Church, Migyera, upon his arrival ahead of his Priestly Silver Jubilee celebrations on Saturday, September 5, 2026. PHOTO BY BERNARD BAKALU.

 

 

Rev. Fr. Dr. Lawrence K. Kimbowa prays inside St. Anthony Catholic Parish Church, Migyera, shortly after his arrival for his Priestly Silver Jubilee celebrations on Saturday, September 5, 2026. PHOTO BY BERNARD BAKALU.

 Rev. Fr. Dr. Lawrence K. Kimbowa places a flower before the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in a gesture of filial devotion, shortly after his arrival for his Priestly Silver Jubilee celebrations on Saturday, September 5, 2026. PHOTO BY BERNARD BAKALU.

Rev. Fr. Dr. Lawrence K. Kimbowa kneels in prayer before the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary, entrusting his priestly vocation, ministry and years of service to her maternal care and powerful intercession, shortly after his arrival for his Priestly Silver Jubilee celebrations on Saturday, September 5, 2026. Looking on is Bishop Lawrence Mukasa and other priests. PHOTO BY BERNARD BAKALU.

 

 Rev. Fr. Dr. Lawrence K. Kimbowa plants a commemorative tree as a lasting symbol of his Priestly Silver Jubilee, shortly after his arrival at St. Anthony Catholic Parish, Migyera, on Saturday, September 5, 2026. PHOTO BY BERNARD BAKALU.

 

 Bishop Lawrence Mukasa plants a commemorative tree as a lasting symbol of faith, growth and continuity, as part of the activities preceding Rev. Fr. Dr. Lawrence K. Kimbowa’s Priestly Silver Jubilee celebrations at St. Anthony Catholic Parish, Migyera, on Saturday, September 5, 2026. PHOTO BY BERNARD BAKALU.

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