UGANDA: Kasana-Luweero Diocese Gets a New Bishop

Masereka Peter

Pope Francis has appointed Rev. Msgr. Lawrence Mukasa as the new Bishop of Kasana-Luweero Diocese two years as the diocese being run under the apostolic administrator.

The appointment of Msgr. Mukasa as the new Bishop of Kasana-Luweero Diocese was announced on 29th April 2023, and it was received with joy among the Christians of the Diocese and the general population in Uganda.

Msgr Mukasa takes over after His Grace Paul Ssemogerere was elevated and appointed Archbishop of Kampala Archdiocese following the death of Late Most Rev. Cypriano Kizito Lwanga.

Mgr. Mukasa will be taking over the diocese at a yet to be announced date from the Kasana-Luweero Diocesan administrator, Mgr. Francis Xavier Mpanga, who has been serving as the diocese administrator since January 28, 2022 when Ssemogerere was elevated to his current position.

“The Apostolic Nunciature desires to congratulate the new bishop and to invoke abundant blessings upon his ministry,” reads a statement delivered to the diocesan leadership and a section of Christians gathered at the Kasana-Luweero Diocesan Cathedral.

Mgr. 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

Mgr. Lawrence Mukasa was born on March 14, 1956 at Nabwiri Village in Kiyinda Mityana, 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.

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).

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. END