The Archdiocese of Kampala has welcomed nine new priests and six deacons following a solemn ordination Mass celebrated at St Mary’s Cathedral Lubaga on Saturday, 8 August 2026.
During the celebration, presided over by the Archbishop of Kampala, His Grace the Most Rev. Paul Ssemogerere, nine deacons were ordained to the priesthood, while six seminarians were elevated to the Order of Deacons. Their ordination marked the culmination of many years of prayer, formation, discernment and preparation for service in the Church.
In his homily, His Grace Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere welcomed and thanked the parents, guardians, relatives, family members and friends of the candidates for the support they had given them throughout their journey of formation.
“Thank you for allowing them to offer themselves to the church. I would like to thank all of you who have supported, mentored and formed them into the priesthood, particularly the rectors and staff of the seminaries they have gone through. This is not a small function; it is a unique and special function, and many players have contributed to this success that we’re experiencing. So, I would like to thank all of you,” said the archbishop.
He explained that the young men had been called to serve as shepherds like Jesus Christ, preach the Gospel, feed the flock through the sacraments, and lay down their lives in total self-giving and love for the faithful.
“Dear candidates, you are called in your priestly ministry to become more and more like Christ the High Priest, the teacher and the shepherd, and the primary vocation is holiness. Jesus Christ is calling you to be Holy as you administer the sacraments of God, as you participate in this ministry, and as priests, you will sanctify the people of God through the celebrations of the sacraments. So, you pray for yourselves, and we ask the church to pray for us all charged with this responsibility to be holy as we conduct and administer the sacraments of God and His gifts that He gives to the church,” the archbishopsaid.
He added: “You are expected to passionately love the people you serve, sanctify them, teach them, shepherd them, and you are called to lead God’s people by serving like Jesus Christ who came not to be served but to serve.”
He noted that these were only reminders because the candidates already knew them through the long formation they had undergone. He welcomed them to the ministry and assured them that those who had served before them were looking forward to working fruitfully with them in the work of God.
Speaking on behalf of the newly ordained priests, Fr Leonard Sserugo described their journey to the priesthood as a gift made possible by God’s mercy. He pledged that they would continue to seek God’s guidance and carry out their ministry with humility, faithfulness, justice and commitment. He also invoked the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Uganda Martyrs as they begin their priestly ministry.
Archbishop Ssemogerere cautioned the new priests against soliciting gifts from Christians and directed that their first Masses should not be turned into fundraising events. He encouraged them to receive with gratitude whatever the faithful freely offer, while keeping their attention firmly fixed on their spiritual mission.
Priestly ordination turns a man to Christ the Head and Shepherd, entrusting him with the responsibility of preaching the Word of God, celebrating the sacraments and providing pastoral care to the faithful. Deacons, on the other hand, are ordained for service to the Word, the altar and charity. They proclaim the Gospel, assist at the Eucharist and serve the Christian community as they continue preparing for priestly ordination.
As the Munyonyo Martyrs Shrine community, we congratulate the newly ordained priests and deacons and assure them of our prayers.
