Pope appoints Mukasa new bishop for Kasana –Luweero diocese
Msgr Lawrence Mukasa is the new bishop for Luweero-Kasana Diocese.
What you need to know:
- Born on March 14, 1956 at Nabwiri village in Kiyinda Mityana, Msgr Mukasa until his appointment as Bishop of Kasana Luweero Diocese has been the Vicar General of Kiyinda- Mityana Diocese.
- The Kasana –Luweero bishop position fell vacant after Pope Francis appointed His Grace Paul Ssemwogere to the position of Archbishop of Kampala on September 9, 2021.
Saturday remains historic in the life of Christians of Kasana-Luweero Diocese following the appointment of Rev Msgr Lawrence Mukasa as the 3rd bishop.
His appointment ends the long wait for Bishop Paul Ssemogerere’s replacement after he was elevated to Archbishop of Kampala Diocese.
He replaced the late Cyprian Kizito Lwanga, who was the pioneer bishop of Kasana-Luweero Diocese and served between 1996 and 2006 before his elevation to archbishop of Kampala.
It was merrymaking in Luweero after Pope Francis announced Rev Msgr Mukasa the new leader of the diocese.
“The Apostolic Nunciature desires to congratulate the new bishop and to invoke abundant blessings upon his ministry,” a statement delivered to the diocese leadership and a section of Christians gathered at the Kasana-Luweero Diocesan Cathedral in Luweero District on Saturday indicated.
In 2008, Bishop Paul Ssemwogerere took over as second bishop of the diocese until his elevation to Kampala Archbishop in 2021.
Apostolic Nuncio to Uganda Luigi Bianco (left) and Rev Msgr Lawrence Mukasa at Kiyinda Mityana Cathedral on April 29, 2023. PHOTO/JESCA NABUKENYA
Msgr Mukasa will be taking over the diocese at a yet to be announced date from the Kasana-Luweero Diocesan administrator, Msgr Francis Xavier Mpanga, who has been serving as the diocese administrator since January 28, 2022 when Ssemogerere was elevated to his current position.
‘Patience pays’
Msgr Francis Mpanga, the diocese administrator in his congratulatory message shortly after delivering the message about the new bishop, thanked the diocese administration, priests and Christians for the prayer and team work exhibited as the diocese waited for the new bishop.
“God has answered our prayer. This is a time of joy as we receive the good news about the appointment of the Rev Msgr Lawrence Mukasa as our new bishop,” he said briefly after delivering the message inside the Kasana-Luweero Diocese Cathedral on Saturday.
Kasana-Luweero Diocese was founded in 1996.
It covers the districts of Luweero, Nakasongola and Nakaseke and it is one of the four dioceses under the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Kampala. Kiyinda-Mityana, Lugazi and Masaka are the other three dioceses.
The faithful
Statistics at Kasana-Luweero Diocese reveal that there are 198,519 Christians. The faithful congregate at the different churches spread through the 21 parishes of Kasana-Luweero Diocese.
About bishop-elect
Born on March 14, 1956 at Nabwiri Village in Kiyinda Mityana, Rev Msgr Lawrence Mukasa until his appointment as bishop of Kasana Luweero Diocese, has been the vicar general of Kiyinda- Mityana Diocese.
He attended Nswanjere Preparatory Seminary between 1969 and 1970, Kisubi Minor Seminary between 1971 and 1976, before enrolling for Theological studies at St Mary’s National Seminary Katigondo and Gaba Seminary between 1981 and 1984. He was ordained priest in 1984 by the Bishop of Kiyinda Mityana, Emmanuel Wamala at Mwera Parish.
His pastoral ministry
Rev Msgr Lawrence Mukasa, who has served Kiyinda –Mityana Diocese as vicar general since 2005, began his ministry as curate at Bukalagi Parish (Kiyinda-Mityana) Diocese in 1984. He also served as curate at Naluggi Parish (1985-1986), National Major Seminary of Katigondo in Masaka (1986-1990) and spiritual director (1992-2001).
He also served as the parish priest at Bukalagi between September 1997 and July 2001. He was a spiritual director at St Mbaaga’s Major Seminary Kampala (2001-2005) and lay apostolate commissioner (1998-2011).
