By the Torch Reporter,
Thousands of Catholic faithful on Tuesday gathered at Kigungu in Entebbe to commemorate 147 years since the arrival of the first Catholic missionaries in Uganda, a historic moment that laid the foundation for the growth of the Catholic faith in the country.
The annual pilgrimage, organised within the Archdiocese of Kampala, marks the arrival of pioneer missionaries Père Simeon Lourdel Mapeera and Brother Amans Delmas, who set foot on Ugandan soil on February 17, 1879.
This year’s celebrations were led by His Grace Paul Ssemogerere, Archbishop of Kampala, who guided the faithful in prayer and reflection on the enduring legacy of evangelisation in Uganda.
Historical significance
Kigungu, also known as Kyettale, was the largest port of the Buganda Kingdom in the 19th century. Historical records indicate that the missionaries travelled for ten months from Algiers and nearly one month across Lake Victoria from Kageye in present-day Tanzania before reaching the port.
After resting and repairing their canoe, the missionaries attempted to continue their journey to Lubaga, then the capital of the kingdom. However, their canoe broke apart at Kaweta, forcing them to proceed on foot.
Four months later, on June 17, 1879, three additional missionaries—Frs. Leon Livinhac, Ludovic Girault, and Leon Barbot—arrived at the same port. They were welcomed with a fleet of 20 canoes provided by Muteesa I, the Kabaka of Buganda, marking a joyful moment of thanksgiving and renewed missionary zeal.
The missionaries later travelled to Nabulagala, where they continued their evangelisation work, laying the foundation for the spread of Christianity across the region.
Growth of missionary work
The Catholic mission continued to expand with the arrival of the Missionaries of Africa, commonly known as the White Fathers, in 1879, followed by the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa (White Sisters) in 1899. Their work contributed significantly to the establishment of a thriving Christian community in Uganda.
Pilgrimage organisers encouraged believers to reflect on the legacy of early missionaries and continue their work of evangelisation, echoing the call of Pope Francis not to turn history into a “museum” or a “cemetery of nostalgia,” but to keep the mission alive in present-day communities.
Monument and pilgrimage tradition
A monument commemorating the arrival of the pioneer missionaries was first constructed at Kigungu in 1929 during the golden jubilee celebrations. The current monument, featuring statues of Mapeera and Amans, was built between 1933 and 1935.
Annual pilgrimages to Kigungu began in the 1960s and, since 2009, have been held every February 17 regardless of the day of the week. The event is organised on a rotational basis by dioceses within the Kampala Ecclesiastical Province, with participation steadily increasing each year.
Church leaders noted that the growing number of pilgrims reflects the continued impact of missionary work and the strong roots of Catholicism in Uganda.
