Written by Rev. Fr. Nicholas Mulumba
Rev. Fr. Mulumba is the Asst Director Social Communications- Kampala Archdiocese
24 New Priests Ordained in Kampala: A Historic Day for the Catholic Church August 09th, 2025
A palpable wave of joy swept over Lubaga Hill. On August 9, 2025, the very ground seemed to vibrate with the prayers and songs of thousands. Inside the packed St. Mary’s Cathedral, a historic event unfolded. Twenty-four men stood before the Metropolitan of Kampala, Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere, their faces a mix of serenity and resolve. The air was thick with expectation. This was not just another ordination. It was the largest single priestly ordination in the history of the Kampala Archdiocese. A moment of pure triumph for the Archdiocese of Kampala and the local Catholic Church.
“bumper harvest, for Kampala Archidiocese”
Rev. Fr. Henry Kalanzi
The ceremony, described as a “bumper harvest,” was a powerful testament to a vibrant, living faith. For hours, the ancient rites (which are foundational components of the Rite of Ordination) commanded reverent silence. Parents stepped forward to present their sons. The young men declared their commitment. The Archbishop laid his hands on each candidate, invoking the Holy Spirit. Each vow of celibacy and obedience was met with resounding ululations, a joyful sound marking total surrender to God’s service. This day was a definitive answer to a global narrative of decline. It was a celebration of divine generosity and a compelling case study in answering the call to priesthood..
The Source of the Joy: A Church That Believes in Future Generations
The triumph felt at Lubaga Cathedral is rooted in a tangible reality. While a number of regions of the universal church report declining vocations, Kampala Archdiocese presents a counter-narrative. This joy springs from a community that actively nurtures its future.
This event demonstrated three pillars of this success.
- Family as the First Seminary. The act of parents presenting their sons was deeply symbolic. It highlighted the family’s irreplaceable role in fostering vocations. The home is where the seed of a priestly calling is first planted and watered.
- A Supportive Community. Archbishop Ssemogerere extended gratitude to formators, rectors, and lay faithful. This joy is a collective achievement. It thrives where the entire community encourages its young people and supports them spiritually and materially.
- A Clear Mission of Service. The Archbishop’s homily cut through distraction. “Go, take no purse, no sandals.” He reframed priesthood away from material pursuit and toward spiritual mission. The wealth of a priest is the souls he brings to God.
This environment makes the priesthood a credible and attractive path. It transforms a theoretical concept into a lived, celebrated reality.
Unpacking the Call to Priesthood: Addressing the Hurdles for Young People
The journey to the altar on ordination day is paved with questions. Society often amplifies doubts. To nurture more days of triumph, we must honestly address these concerns just like in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 1, verses 26-38 (Luke 1:26-38) when Mary interfaces with the Angel Gabriel in a period of uncertainty and with doubt.
This passage describes the Annunciation, when Angel Gabriel announced that Mary, a virgin engaged to Joseph, would conceive and bear the Son of God.
Here is a summary of the event from the passage:
Luke 1:26-27: In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to a virgin named Mary in the town of Nazareth.
Luke 1:28-30: Gabriel greeted Mary, saying, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you!” When she was troubled by the greeting, he reassured her, saying she had found favor with God and should not be afraid.
Luke 1:31-33: Gabriel announced that Mary would conceive and bear a son named Jesus, who would be great and called the Son of the Most High.
Luke 1:34-37: Mary asked how this could be, since she was a virgin. Gabriel explained that the Holy Spirit would come upon her, making the child holy.
Luke 1:38: Mary responded, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word”.
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- Rev. Fr. Dr. Pius M. Ssentumbwe PhD
- THE UGANDA MARTYRS: A LEGACY OF FAITH AND FIRE
Just like the Angel Gabriel did in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 1, verses 26-38 (Luke 1:26-38), to nurture more days of triumph, we must honestly address these concerns.
The Myth of Loneliness. The celebration for these 24 young men was massive. A priest is never alone. He is inserted into a new and extensive family. His life is dedicated to connection—serving families, visiting the sick, and guiding the faithful.
The Pressure of Provision. Archbishop Ssemogerere directly tackled this. He told the new priests their parents gave them to serve God, not for material support. A priest’s value is not economic. It is spiritual and pastoral. His prayers and ministry provide a different, enduring form of support for his family and community.
The Illusion of a Dying Church. The sight of 24 young men embracing the priesthood shatters this myth. The Church is a dynamic force. It needs leaders for its schools, hospitals, and thriving parishes. This is a call to help lead a youthful, growing body of believers.
The Path to the Altar: How a Vocation Grows
The ordination is the culmination of a long process. Understanding this path demystifies the calling and makes it accessible.
Practical Steps on how to join Catholic Priesthood:
- Hearing the Whisper. It starts with a quiet invitation from God, often nurtured in a prayerful family. Encourage young people to listen in silence and to ask, “God, what do you want for my life?”
- Exploring the Call. This step involves seeking guidance. It means talking to a priest, a spiritual director, or a vocation guide. The Archdiocese has structures to help young people discern without pressure.
- Embracing Formation. Seminary formation is not a withdrawal from the world. It is a focused time of intellectual, human, and spiritual training. It prepares a man to serve the world more completely.
- Making the Gift. Ordination day is the final step of saying “yes.” It is the joyful and solemn moment of vowing one’s life to God and His Church for the salvation of souls.
Your Role in This Story of Priestly Triumph
The joy of Lubaga during the ordination of the 24 young men is not meant to be a solitary memory. It is a model to be replicated. You too as a catholic have a part to play in fostering future vocations.
Take one of these actions:
Pray for the seminarians in our Archdiocese by name.
Speak to a young person in your parish. Affirm their faith. Tell them you see God’s light in them.
If you feel a personal tug on your heart, do not ignore it. Contact the Vocation Director. The first conversation is just that—a conversation.
The 24 new priests are a sign of God’s relentless hope. Their journey began with a simple “yes” heard in a supportive community. Let us build a Church where that “yes” is always met with joy, leading to triumphs that continue to engulf our hearts with joy and spiritual fullness.
LIFE JOY AND TRUMPH ENGULF LUBAGA HILL: UNPACKING THE CALL TO PRIESTHOOD
— Social Communications Kampala Archdiocese