Bugembe Cathedral, host of Busoga royal wedding

Rev Canon Munoobwa told this newspaper that the process of presiding over the royal wedding is not any different from others. He referred our reporter to Rev Canon Ibanda Isabirye, who has reportedly been allowed to speak to the media.

But when contacted, Rev Canon Isabirye said he can only speak after being cleared by the Bishop of Busoga Diocese, Rt Rev Paul Samson Naimanhye.

According to Rev Canon Munoobwa, in the Church of Uganda, a Church becomes a Cathedral after the consecration of a Bishop and when the Cathedra (Bishop’s seat) is put in that particular church.

“Christ’s Cathedral became a Cathedra in 1972 after the consecration of the first Bishop of Busoga Diocese. However, its construction started in 1969, and by 1971, it had been roofed on pillars without the walls, and the floor was of hardcore with sand blinding on top,” Rev Canon Munoobwa says, adding that the Cathedral has a sitting capacity of 1,000 people.

He also reveals that there were options for having the Cathedral in Masese, Iganga, but Bugembe was chosen because it was near the Kyabazinga’s palace and, therefore, favoured the monarch in terms of proximity. Secondly, he says Bugembe had a bigger population, especially compared to Masese.

Rev Canon Munoobwa also says it is believed that Rev John Maynerd Mwavu Waibale, after getting a scholarship to go and study in the United Kingdom (UK) in 1952 while in England, started talking about a Cathedral for the future Busoga Diocese.

“He started sharing this idea with friends in the UK, they designed the plan, and he came back with the architectural plans towards the end of 1953. The very steep roof is because, in the UK, such buildings have steep roofs to allow snow to slide off easily during winter,” Rev Canon Munoobwa says.

He further reveals that when Rev Waibale revealed his architectural plans for the Busoga Cathedral, the leadership at Busoga Lukiiko and Jinja District were pro-Anglican, and were his good friends.

“People like Ezekiel Kate was the town clerk of Jinja, Mr James Zikusooka was Jinja town engineer, while Alfred Luuba was the Kampala City engineer; so after reviewing the architectural plan, they agreed to hire a company from India to start constructing the Cathedral in 1969, before Busoga getting a Bishop,” Rev Canon Munoobwa further revealed.

According to him, the construction exercise was done in two phases. The supervising architect was M/S Walabyeki Associations in Kampala.

“The glazing of the four gable ends was done under the supervision of Mr Batumbya, who was sent by the late Cyprian Bishop Bamwoze to Nairobi, Kenya to get the aluminium materials and the coloured glasses,” Rev Canon Munoobwa further says.

“Funding at this level was mainly mobilised by Mr Luwuliza Kirunda, who was a Minister of Internal Affairs in the Obote regime and a strong UPC politician.

“At one time, he invited the president to a fundraising event at the Cathedral. He would use his influence to command people to bring materials such as timber,’’ he adds.

Congregants speak out

Mr Nicholas Ainomugisha, the chairperson of Youth Busoga Diocese, said as the youth of the region, they are very happy that the Kyabazinga considered Christ’s Cathedral, Bugembe, to host the royal wedding, which he says will be one of the “historical functions” in Busoga.

Ms Catherine Kateme, another congregant, says she is excited because it is at this Cathedral that she and the people of Busoga will physically see the mother of the region (Inhebantu).

“We have been waiting for this moment to come and it has finally come through prayers, faith and patience,” she says.

Mr Michael Maganda Ngobi, who also prays at the Cathedral, says it is very important for the organising committee of the royal wedding to ensure there is accessibility to the Church for the People with Disabilities (PWDs) “by quickly setting up ramps, considering the huge numbers that are expected at the Cathedral on that day’’.

[email protected]