Catholic Bishop of Jinja Diocese in Uganda Laid to Rest amid Calls to Uphold Vision “to be one”

Jinja, 29 October, 2025 / 8:28 PM

Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere of Uganda's Catholic Archdiocese of Kampala has encouraged the people of God in Jinja Catholic Diocese to uphold the unity and pastoral vision of their Bishop, the late Charles Martin Wamika who was laid to rest on Tuesday, October 28.

In his homily at the burial, Archbishop Ssemogerere emphasized the motto of the late Bishop, “May they be one,” reminding members of the Diocese to remain steadfast in faith and united in service for the common good.

“My dear brothers and sisters, during this moment of transition, remember the motto of Bishop Wamika ‘May they be one’. During this time of transition, be one. Be united for the common good of the Diocese,” Archbishop Ssemogerere said during the funeral Mass that was held at St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Jinja.

“The works that Bishop Wamika initiated should not stop because he has gone. He was part of us, he has left, and you’re growing. Be one,” he said of the Bishop who died at the age of 72 on Wednesday, October 22.

The Local Ordinary of Kampala highlighted some of the pastoral activities and evangelization journey of Bishop Wamika, describing him as a man who preached the word of God with joy in different places in Uganda despite health challenges.

Archbishop Ssemogerere recognized the effort of Bishop Wamika, who he said opened more than 23 Parishes, increasing the “faith of the faithful who were within his reach.”

Bishop Wamika also supported vocations in his Episcopal See and even founded St. Gonzaga Minor Seminary, Iganga, in the Catholic Diocese of Jinja for the purpose of the formation of future Priests.

The Catholic Archbishop encouraged the people of God to emulate Bishop Wamika, who was at the forefront in supporting the Church and those in need.

“Bishop Wamika has been moving in different places, even in my place,” Archbishop Ssemogerere said, and added in reference to the late Bishop, “He taught the people of Jinja to learn how to be self-reliant.”

In his homily, the Archbishop of Kampala Archdiocese urged the people of God to remain faithful in memory Bishop Wamika, who he said played his roles effectively.

Archbishop Ssemogerere expressed hope that the late Bishop is continuously praying for those he served, even in death. “For the years he was alive, he prayed for you. The heartfelt prayer of a good person works very powerfully. The Bishop is still praying for us,” he said.

Bishop Wamika was ordained to the Priesthood for the East African nation’s Catholic Archdiocese of Tororo in September 1979 at the age of 26.

He began his Episcopal Ministry as Auxiliary Bishop of the Tororo Metropolitan See in February 1994 and has been at the helm of the Jinja Diocese since his appointment in March 2010.