Munyonyo Martyrs Shrine to Install Bust of Uganda’s First Missionary, Lourdel Mapeera

sculpture

Munyonyo Martyrs Shrine to Install Bust of Uganda’s First Missionary, Lourdel Mapeera

Ugandan artist Emmanuel Lwanga is sculpting a bronze bust of Fr. Simeon Lourdel, popularly known as Fr. Mapeera, the first Catholic missionary in Uganda. The bust is scheduled to be unveiled at the Uganda Martyrs Shrine, Munyonyo, in December 2025.

sculpture in sidesview

Ugandan artist Mr. Emmanuel Lwanga is sculpting a bust of Fr. Simeon Lourdel, popularly known as Fr. Mapeera. The completed bronze sculpture, which commemorates the first missionary in Uganda, will be installed at Munyonyo Martyrs Shrine this year.

Origan image of Fr.Mapeera

In 1886 Fr. Mapeera tried to seek an audience with Kabaka Mwanga in Munyonyo. When he failed, he chose instead to pray and entrust the future Uganda Martyrs to Mother Mary of Sorrows before their journey to Namugongo for martyrdom.

According to Shrine Rector Fr. Male, the project began in late August 2025 and will be completed in the first week of December.

Fr. Mapeera is remembered for his role during the persecution of the Uganda Martyrs. In 1886, he attempted to plead with Kabaka Mwanga at Munyonyo to spare their lives. When his efforts failed, he entrusted their fate to Mother Mary of Sorrows before they were led to Namugongo for martyrdom.

Later, in September 1889, Fr. Mapeera and Fr. Denoit returned from Tanganyika to Uganda, initially settling at Bulingugwe Island, now part of Munyonyo Parish, before moving to Nabunya on Lubaga Hill in February 1890, where they established a new mission in the presence of the Kabaka.

Speaking about the project, Mr Lwanga said the portrait will reflect Mapeera’s courage, humility, and unwavering faith. He noted that the work is especially meaningful as it will be his first bronze cast. Lwanga is also the artist behind the Mother Kevin statue at the Shrine Lake and co-created the St. Denis Ssebugwawo statue with Prof. Kyeyune George at Munyonyo.

The bust is expected to be installed near the St. Andrew Kaggwa Tomb, symbolically welcoming pilgrims while highlighting Mapeera’s pioneering role as the first White Father missionary in Uganda.

Beyond serving as a memorial, the bust will also be an educational piece. An engraved plaque will accompany the sculpture, offering visitors a brief biography of Fr. Mapeera and enriching their understanding of Uganda’s Christian heritage.

“As Munyonyo Martyrs Shrine continues to grow as one of Uganda’s leading religious tourism destinations, it is a great honour for me to contribute to this journey through art,” Mr Lwanga said.

Fr Simeon Lourdel died at Rubaga on 12^th May 1890.