November 26, 2024, was such a joyous day as Cardinal Emmanuel Wamala celebrated 30 years of serving as Cardinal for the Catholic Church. The
celebrations were held at Hanlon Gardens Nsambya and were organized by Msgr. Dr. Lawrence Ssemusu, the Chaplain St, Charles Lwanga MUBS Catholic Community. Among those who attended were; Rev. Fr. Dr. Raphael Ddamba, Rev. Fr. Jerome Luweero, the Head of Laity Kampala Archdiocese Emily Kitto Mwaka and representatives from MUBS. In his remarks the Chaplain MUBS Catholic Community; Msgr. Dr. Lawrence Ssemusu thanked Cardinal Wamala for appointing him to start the Catholic Chaplaincy at MUBS 20 years back which has registered great achievements. “Our coming here, today, on your 30th Anniversary, as Cardinal, is an extension of our 20th Anniversary, to celebrate with you that milestone which yourself, are the greatest architect. “Your Eminence on October, 4, 2024, we celebrated 20 years of Full Catholic presence in MUBS.
We thank you for the message you sent to us.” It read, “Dear friends, members of the Fraternity of St. Charles Lwanga Catholic Community at
Makerere University Business School (MUBS) it is with great joy to spiritually join you (Colossians 2:5) as you gather to praise, to glorify and to thank God for the achievement”. Msgr. Ssemusu highlighted, “It is you, who sent me to MUBS, how the time has flown!! It has been 20 wonderful years here. You made me drop being Deputy Vice- Chancellor at Uganda Martyrs University to come and grow this Chaplaincy. As MUBS Catholic Community, we celebrate you the for the miracle you created in MUBS. Msgr. Ssemusu remarks, “As an individual, I tell people that the best thing which has ever happened to me, as a Priest, is being Chaplain of St. Charles Lwanga , MUBS Catholic Community.
These have been 20 years of a very big, harvest for me. I thank you for entrusting me with this noble task.” I have not served alone! Rubaga Dioceses has blessed the MUBS Catholic Community with great Priests who have served the Lord and the Community with all their heart; these are; Fr. Herman Mukasa Zziwa, Fr. Ivan Polycarp Kalamuzi, Fr. Joseph Male, Fr. Charles Mpiima, Fr. Raphael Ddamba and Fr. Jerome Luweero. Msgr. Ssemusu thanked Cardinal Wamala for appointing him to start the Catholic Chaplaincy at MUBS 20 years ago which has registered great achievements, as he explains. 20 years ago you visited and requested MUBS Leadership to give you land to build a Catholic Chaplaincy. On March 15, 2004 the School accepted your request and allocated land to the Catholic Community. 20 years ago on March, 18, 2004 you, broke the ground for
the construction of the Catholic church in MUBS.
20 years ago on the September, 1, 2004 you sent to MUBS none other than Fr. Ssemusu as the first substantive Chaplain. 20 years ago on the 26th of
November 2004, on your Anniversary as Cardinal, you granted “Quasi Parish Status,” to the Catholic Chaplaincy in MUBS, granting us autonomy within another parish, Mbuya. Your Eminence we honour and treasure you for many reasons not forgetting soliciting funds, through the late Fr.
John Scalabrini and from other donors, from this you built for us our magnificent Chapel. The community gifted the cardinal with two significant
gifts to mark his 30th Anniversary.
He was gifted with the St. Charles Lwanga MUBS Catholic community 20th Anniversary Memorabilia Magazine, 2004- 2024, detailing the marvels
he has made by opening the Catholic MUBS Chaplaincy. In the Memorabilia Magazine, one of the original members Dr. Immaculate Tusiime, wrote, “Ebenezer! When our community began, we had no dedicated space to call our home for worship, often moving around to find a place for prayers
was such a challenge, sometimes we could miss an opportunity to gather in worship, due to fail to find space ! However, through God’s providence, we now have a Chapel, a priests’ residence, offices and a students’ canteen, providing us with a permanent home for our spiritual activities.” Your Eminence, you are part of God’s providence” According to the MUBS Catholic Community, St. Charles Lwanga, MUBS, records, show that Cardinal Wamala has visited the community six times; September, 10, 2006, you had a Pastoral Visit and to Confirm students On September, 13, 2009, you visited to lay the foundation for St. Charles Lwanga MUBS catholic Community Chapel September, 11, 2011 to bless the Chapel, On 15th November 2011 to bless the Altar. May, 8th, 2016: Pastoral Visit and 26th November 2023 to break the ground for the Students’ Centre. “What a love! What an attachment to our Catholic Community! We thank you dearly”‘ remarked Msgr. Ssemusu.
The second significant gift presented to the Cardinal, was a plaque; to recognize and thank him for the far he has brought the community and for the
cordial relationship they share with him. Msgr. Ssemusu explains “For many years it was Prof. Waswa-Balunywa at the helm, now it is Prof. Moses Muhwezi, the Community is grateful for the support and love they have received from both leaders. They prayed for His Eminence, for good health and many, more graces and blessings from God for all the years while he is still on earth. In his remarks, Cardinal Wamala thanked the MUBS Catholic Community for being inspirational to the young generation especially their love and commitment to the Catholic Church before thanking God for the gift of life and service as a Cardinal.