By Mwine Moses

Several politicians, royals and city businessmen on Tuesday thronged Lubaga Cathedral to attend the installation of His Grace Paul Ssemwogerere as the new Archbishop of the Catholic Church of Uganda.

Rt. Rev. Ssemwogerere’s installation was presided over by the Papal Nuncio His Eminence Archbishop Luigi Bianco who delivered a message from His Holiness Pope Francis.

The ceremony was attended by several political leaders among them the National Unit Platform (NUP) Principal Robert Kyagulanyi, who was accompanied by NUP legislators who included Hilary Kiyaga aka Hilderman, Mathias Mpuuga, Medard Ssegona Lubega, among others.

Also in attendance were politicians from the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) who were led by the Vice President Hon. Jessica Alupo and the deputy Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon.  Anita Among, plus several others.

The royals and nobles from Buganda Kingdom were on the other hand led by the Katikiro Owek. Charles Peter Mayiga, who was accompanied by Prince David Wasajja and his wife Omuzaana Marion Elizabeth Nankya.

In the same vein, the city tycoons were lead by Quality Chemicals boss Emmanuel Katongole, who was flanked by the Chairperson of the Kwagalana  Group Godfrey Kirumira.

Ssemogerere, born 30 June 1956,  is a Roman Catholic prelate who serves as the Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kampala, having been appointed to this position by Pope Francis on  December, 9 2021, to replace the late Archbishop Cyprian Kizito Lwanga.

He was installed as Archbishop of Kampala on 25 January 2022, at Saint Mary’s Cathedral Rubaga, in Kampala.

Previously, he was the Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kasana-Luweero, in Uganda having been appointed bishop of Kasana-Luweero on 4 June 2008.

He was ordained a priest on 3 June 1983 at Kampala, by Cardinal Emmanuel Nsubuga, Archbishop of Kampala. He served as a priest in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kampala, until 4 June 2008.

He was appointed bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kasana-Luweero, on 4 June 2008 and consecrated as bishop on 23 August 2008 at Kasana-Luweero by Archbishop Cyprian Kizito Lwanga, Archbishop of Kampala, assisted by Cardinal Emmanuel Wamala, Cardinal-Priest of Sant’Ugo, and Cardinal Emeritus of Kampala and Archbishop Paul Tschang In-Nam, Titular Archbishop of Amantia and Papal Nuncio to Uganda at that time.

On Thursday 8 April 2021, he was appointed Apostolic Administrator of Kampala archdiocese by Pope Francis after the sudden death of Dr. Cyprian Kizito Lwanga who was the Archbishop of Kampala and later elevated to Archbishop of Kampala Archdiocese by Pope Francis on Thursday 9 December 2021.

Additional reporting coming up shortly.