Catholic faithful in Jinja Diocese have been urged to remain patient, strengthen their faith and pray for the appointment of a new bishop as the Church continues the search for a successor to the late Bishop Martin Charles Wamika. The appeal was made during a Holy Mass held at Rubaga Hill in Jinja City to mark the first anniversary of Wamika’s death, bringing together Church leaders, priests, government officials, members of his family and Christians to celebrate his life and lasting contribution to the Church.
The Mass was led by the Archbishop of Tororo Archdiocese and Apostolic Administrator of Jinja Diocese, the Most Rev. Dr Emmanuel Obbo, who called on Christians to uphold the values that defined Wamika’s ministry, including love, unity, reconciliation and commitment to God. Archbishop Obbo encouraged the faithful to remain steadfast in prayer during the transition, warning against allowing uncertainty and divisions to weaken their relationship with God or undermine unity within the diocese.
Reflecting on the late bishop’s life, Archbishop Obbo said Wamika remained committed to his faith even during periods of illness and when he travelled to India for further medical treatment. He described the late bishop’s ministry as an example of perseverance and trust in God, urging Christians to draw inspiration from his teachings as they await the appointment of a new spiritual leader. “Failing to come to God’s home is a failure in life, and we call it hell, because without God we cannot say we are living,” Archbishop Obbo said.
The archbishop further noted that Wamika consistently preached love, unity and reconciliation, particularly within families and religious communities. He urged Christians to use the waiting period as an opportunity for spiritual renewal rather than a source of disagreement, emphasising that prayer remains essential in helping the diocese navigate the transition. According to Obbo, honouring Wamika’s legacy requires Christians to practise the values he taught and remain united as the Church prepares for its next chapter.
Meanwhile, the family of the late bishop has appealed to Catholics to avoid comparing his eventual successor to Wamika, warning that such comparisons could create unnecessary pressure and undermine the authority of the incoming bishop. Speaking on behalf of the family, Caroline Kawala said some Christians risk discouraging the next leader by repeatedly insisting that Jinja Diocese would never find another bishop capable of matching Wamika’s contributions. She described the remarks as unfair, arguing that every bishop has a distinct calling, spiritual gifts and approach to pastoral leadership.
“We therefore appeal to our dear Christians, who always comfort us, but we feel they hurt us when they say Jinja Diocese will never get a bishop like Wamika. That is very wrong,” Kawala said. She explained that although Wamika left a significant mark on the diocese, the Church should be allowed to identify and welcome his successor without prejudice. Kawala urged the faithful to pray for the person who will eventually be appointed, accept his leadership and give him an opportunity to serve the Christian community.
“Our responsibility, dear Catholics, is not to compare, not to judge, not to reject, but to support, to obey and to pray for the one who will come. The Lord chooses him; we do not elect a bishop like a politician,” she added. Kawala warned that insisting no future bishop could equal Wamika might encourage resistance to the Church’s decision and weaken unity among Catholics. She called on the faithful to demonstrate the same obedience to Church leadership that the late bishop upheld throughout his ministry.
To reinforce her message, Kawala recalled a story Wamika often shared about the Uganda Martyrs, whose faith endured despite receiving limited catechetical instruction before their persecution under Kabaka Mwanga II. She said the late bishop used the story to remind priests of their responsibility to prepare Christians for the challenges of faith while encouraging believers to remain committed to their convictions. As Jinja Diocese awaits a new bishop, the family and Church leaders have urged Catholics to remain united, trust the Church’s guidance and continue praying, saying the best way to honour Wamika is to preserve his legacy while giving his successor the opportunity to build upon it.
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