As the Franciscan Conventual Friars prepare to celebrate 25 years
(Silver Jubilee) since they arrived in Uganda, the Order has received
its seventh native Ugandan priest, Rev. Fr. Paul Ssekitte.
Fr. Ssekitte was ordained on Friday, 6th February 2026, at Uganda
Martyrs Parish, Munyonyo Minor Basilica, during a Eucharistic
celebration presided over by the Archbishop of Kampala, His Grace
Paul Ssemogerere.
In his homily, Archbishop Ssemogerere congratulated Fr. Ssekitte on
reaching what he described as a crucial milestone in his life and
vocation. He commended the various superiors, spiritual directors,
professors, and all people of goodwill who guided the newly ordained
priest throughout his long formation journey.
The archbishop reminded Fr. Ssekitte that the priesthood belongs to
Jesus Christ and must be lived in unity and communion with the
Bishop and religious superiors. He noted that such communion frees a
priest, through obedience to Christ, from false and unnecessary
attention-seeking.
“This communion will free you in the spirit of obedience to Jesus
Christ from all false and useless attention seeking, always reminding
you that you are at the service of the people of God, to whom you are
made a minister and servant, just as Jesus Christ came not to be
served but to serve,” the archbishop said.
Quoting Saint Paul’s words from Galatians 2:20, Archbishop
Ssemogerere reminded the newly ordained priest that it is no longer
he who lives, but Christ who lives in him. “Only by allowing yourself
to be completely owned by Jesus will you be able to bring to others,
with joy and fidelity, the light that comes with the gift of Holy
Orders,” he added.
He further urged Fr. Ssekitte to remember that no one takes this
honour upon himself, but only when God calls him. “Holy Orders are

a gift—an unmerited grace for which we do not work. Remembering
this will help you remain rooted in Christ, the source and ultimate
point of reference for your vocation,” the archbishop said.
Reflecting on the day’s readings, Archbishop Ssemogerere pointed to
prophet Jeremiah’s calling as a sign of God’s love from the womb and
quoted Saint John Mary Vianney, who described the priesthood as
“the love of the heart of Jesus.” He noted that God’s call comes
despite human fears and limitations, recalling Jeremiah’s response: “I
am merely a child; I can’t speak,” and God’s reassurance: “Do not
say, ‘I am too young.’”
In his remarks, Fr. Ssekitte expressed deep gratitude to his superiors,
particularly the Provincial Father Kojo and the Provincial Delegate,
Fr. Male, for their guidance and counsel throughout his formation
journey, from the time he was admitted into the Franciscan Order.
He also thanked his mother, brother, extended family, and the
Franciscan communities of Munyonyo and Kakooge, where he carried
out his pastoral ministry. “I would like to thank my guardians at
Munyonyo and Kakooge. These are the communities where I did my
pastoral work, and I received all the support I needed in my
vocation,” he said.
Fr. Ssekitte has spent the last four years in Kenya, where he carried
out pastoral ministry at St. Catherine of Alexandria Parish, South C,
Nairobi, serving as a Deacon following his ordination to the diaconate
on 25th February 2025 at St. Jude Parish, Kakooge.
Meanwhile, the Provincial Delegate and Shrine Rector of Munyonyo,
Fr. Male, congratulated Fr. Ssekitte, noting that he is the seventh
native Ugandan priest ordained within the Order. He said the
ordination comes at a particularly significant time when the
Franciscans are celebrating the Jubilee of St. Francis, marking 800
years since his death.
“This year is very special for us, the Conventual Franciscans in
Uganda, because we came from the Province of Krakow exactly
twenty-five years ago. We are celebrating a Silver Jubilee,” Fr. Male

said. “With this ordination, we are already entering the spirit of the
Jubilee.”
He recalled the Franciscan journey in Uganda, which began in
Kasana, Luwero, before expanding to Matuga and later Munyonyo.
He added that the Order is currently developing two new missions in
Gulu Archdiocese and along the shores of Lake Victoria near Buyege
Parish.
Fr. Male noted that the Jubilee is not only a celebration but also a sign
of maturity within the Franciscan mission in Uganda, encouraging
native Ugandans to prepare to take on leadership roles. He echoed the
words of St. Francis, saying, “The servants of God should above all
be devoted to prayer and to living a holy life, because God does not
need much great learning or wisdom, but rather our holy lives.”
In his address, Archbishop Ssemogerere described Fr. Ssekitte as one
of the fruits of the dedication and hard work of Fr. Marian Kajubi and
the Franciscan missionaries. He recalled the early days of the
Franciscan mission in remote areas, where language barriers posed
serious challenges.
“People complained and said they needed someone who could clearly
understand and speak their language. Father Kajubi assured them that
in a few years, they would have priests speaking the same language,
because recruitment had begun in earnest,” the archbishop said.
He congratulated the Franciscan Order for ordaining seven native
priests in the last four years.
Fr. Ssekitte has been assigned to the Friary of the Immaculate
Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Matuga.
In his parting remarks, Archbishop Ssemogerere invited the faithful to
gather at Kigungu on 17th February to commemorate the arrival of
the first missionaries to Uganda—Brother Amans and Père Lourdel
(Mapeera)—in 1879.

After the Mass, guests were treated to lunch and entertainment. The
Ssabakristu of Munyonyo, Mr. Muguluma, pledged, on behalf of the
faithful, to support the newly ordained priest in his ministry.
Fr. Paul Ssekitte is the son of the late Peter Musoke and Ms.
Nabyonga Rebecca of Katooke, Wamala, in Jinja Kaloori Parish,
within Kampala Archdiocese.