Bronze Bust of Fr. Simeon Lourdel Unveiled at Munyonyo Shrine

A bronze bust of Fr. Simeon Lourdel, popularly known as Fr. Mapeera, the first Catholic missionary in Uganda, has been unveiled at the Uganda Martyrs Shrine in Munyonyo.

The unveiling took place on Sunday, January 4, 2026, and was presided over by Fr. Richard Nyombi, a.k.a Jajja Mapeera.

Fr. Mapeera is remembered for his courageous 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 Our Lady of Sorrows before they were led to Namugongo for martyrdom.

In September 1889, Fr. Mapeera and Fr. Denis 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. There, they established a new mission in the presence of the Kabaka.

The bust was created by Ugandan artist Emmanuel Lwanga, who worked closely with the Parish Priest, Fr. Male. This marks Lwanga’s first bronze sculpture.

In his Homily during the 12:30 pm Mass, which preceded the unveiling, Fr. Nyombi reminded them of Fr. Mapeera’s pivotal role in bringing the Catholic faith to Uganda. “We cannot talk about faith in Uganda without mentioning Mapeera, nor can we talk about the Uganda Martyrs without mentioning him. He played a significant role in the spread of the faith in Uganda,” he said.

Fr. Nyombi added that Fr. Mapeera planted a seed of faith among the Uganda Martyrs, inspiring them to remain steadfast in their love for Christ. “They focused on Christ’s teachings, attended catechism, and went wherever they were sent, regardless of the consequences. They were only concerned with what the Lord wanted of them,” he noted.

He urged the faithful to emulate the example of the Uganda Martyrs by loving their faith and dedicating time to learning and teaching others.

The bust of Fr. Mapeera has been installed next to the Uganda Martyrs Relics Chapel. Beyond serving as a memorial, it will also function as an educational feature. An engraved plaque accompanies the sculpture, offering visitors a brief biography of Fr. Mapeera and enriching their understanding of Uganda’s Christian heritage.

The faithful have been encouraged to pray for the beatification of Fr. Mapeera.