Preparations for 29th Diocesan Anniversary in High Gear
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By BERNARD BAKALU
Luweero
Preparations for the 29th anniversary of the Diocese of Kasana–Luweero are now in full swing, just days before the solemn celebration marking this significant milestone in the local Church’s journey of faith and service.
On Sunday, March 1, 2026, the Diocese will joyfully commemorate twenty-nine years since its official inauguration on March 1, 1997.
The Diocese was established in 1996 by His Holiness Pope John Paul II and canonically erected as a distinct ecclesiastical territory from the Archdiocese of Kampala
On that same day in 1997, His Eminence Emmanuel Cardinal Wamala ordained the Most Reverend Dr. Cyprian Kizito Lwanga as the first Bishop of Kasana-Luweero, entrusting him with shepherding the flock of this young Diocese.
Bishop Lwanga later was called to serve as Archbishop of Kampala in 2006, where he continued his episcopal ministry until his peaceful repose in the Lord in April 2021.
He was succeeded as Ordinary by the Most Reverend Paul Ssemogerere, who served faithfully until his appointment as Archbishop of Kampala in 2021.
The current Shepherd of the Diocese, His Lordship Rt. Rev. Lawrence Mukasa, was consecrated and installed on August 5, 2023, continuing the mission of proclaiming the Gospel with zeal and pastoral charity.
In the spirit of synodality and shared responsibility, Bishop Mukasa introduced a model by which the annual Diocesan Anniversary celebrations be coordinated through a rotating Deanery structure.
The Diocese is presently organized into four Deaneries — Kasana, Nakaseke, Nakasongola, and Mulajje — each coordinating pastoral engagement across several parishes.
This marked a transition from earlier practice, when the Anniversary was centrally organized by the Diocesan headquarters with guidance from the Central Organizing Committee (COC).
The first anniversary under this new structure — the 28th Diocesan Anniversary — was successfully coordinated by Mulajje Deanery, now led by Rev. Fr. Dr. Gerald Wamala, who also serves as Parish Priest of Mulajje Parish.
At that celebration, the Diocese expressed profound gratitude to Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere for his thirteen years of devoted service.
At the close of last year’s celebrations, Bishop Mukasa announced that Nakaseke Deanery, under the leadership of Rev. Fr. Achilles Ssemakula, Parish Priest of Kijaguzo Parish and Dean, would take the mantle of organizing the 29th Anniversary.
In the weeks since, the Deanery has diligently met to plan liturgical and pastoral programmes befitting this sacred commemoration.
Speaking to the Diocesan Press, Fr. Charles Mutyaba, Assistant to the Parish Priest of Kijaguzo and Chair of the Publicity Sub-Committee, affirmed that “preparations are progressing well, and we are now only two days away from this blessed event.”
A visit by the Diocesan Reporter to the Kasana-Luweero Diocesan Headquarters on Thursday morning, February 16, 2026, revealed that the tents have been erected, seating arranged, and other practical preparations actively underway in anticipation of the faithful and clergy who will gather for the celebration.
In the digital space, the Diocese’s anniversary has also been widely publicised on social media, ensuring that the joy of this milestone extends far beyond the Cathedral grounds.
A view of the celebration venue with tents already erected on Thursday, February 26, 2026, in preparation for the 29th Anniversary of Kasana-Luweero Diocese scheduled for March 1, 2026. PHOTO BY BERNARD BAKALU.
A view of the celebration grounds with a mega tent already erected on Thursday, February 26, 2026, ahead of the 29th Anniversary of Kasana-Luweero Diocese scheduled for March 1, 2026. PHOTO BY BERNARD BAKALU.
Workers offload materials for the preparation of the celebration grounds on Thursday, February 26, 2026, ahead of the 29th Anniversary of Kasana-Luweero Diocese scheduled for March 1, 2026. PHOTO BY BERNARD BAKALU.
A digital sticker announcing the forthcoming 29th Anniversary of Kasana-Luweero Diocese, scheduled for March 1, 2026, now widely circulating across social media platforms. BY KAWEESI PATRICK.
A digital sticker marking the countdown to the 29th Anniversary of Kasana-Luweero Diocese, scheduled for March 1, 2026, currently circulating widely on social media platforms. BY KAWEESI PATRICK.
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