Centenarian Msgr Mugambe honoured as Christ the King Church turns 95

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Christ the King Church marked its 95th anniversary on November 23, 2025, as hundreds of parishioners gathered at the Kampala city parish for the celebration.

The Archbishop of Kampala, Paul Ssemogerere, presided over the event. He was joined by the parish priest, Msgr Gerald Kalumba, the Vicar General, Msgr Rogers Kabuye, and other clerics.

Msgr. Joseph Mugambe (seated) shares a photo moment with Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere (wearing a mitre), clerics and catechists during the thanksgiving mass for his 100th birthday and 70th priestly anniversary at Christ the King Church Kampala on Sunsday November 23, 2025. (Photo by Mathias Mazinga)

During the celebrations, held to coincide with the Feast of Christ the King, parishioners also honoured Msgr Joseph Mugambe, the parish’s long-serving curate, on his 100th birthday and 70th anniversary as a priest.

In his homily, Archbishop Ssemogerere paid glowing tribute to Msgr Mugambe.

“We are grateful to God for the good life and inspiring priestly ministry of Msgr Joseph Mugambe, with whom I have had the opportunity to work when I was still the parish-priest of Christ the King Church. God gave him many talents, which he has used to enhance his ministry. He is a seasoned mechanic, a tractor driver, a carpenter, a landscaper. He is also a much-loved confessor. Every time we went with him to the church to do the ministry of the Sacrament of reconciliation, his confession box would have the longest line of Christians. Most of the mature people preferred to go to him. For me, I would receive more children.”

Msgr. Joseph Mugambe as a newly-ordained priest, 70 years ago. (Photo by Mathias Mazinga)

“As a priest, Msgr Mugambe has helped many people to know the Lord better, to experience his loving kindness, mercy and forgiveness. He has evangelised and sanctified the people by administering Holy Sacraments. He has also given us good retreats that have helped us to do our ministry better. Let’s continue to pray for him to have a better life so that he can continue to bless us and teach us by his good words and examples,” Ssemogerere said.

Archbishop Ssemogerere further praised Msgr Mugambe for his generosity, revealing that he had funded the creation of symbolic thrones for the ostensorio, used during adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and distributed them across all parishes in the archdiocese.

Msgr. Joseph Mugambe during the thanksgiving mass for his 100th birthday and 78th priestly anniversary at Christ the King Church Kampala on Sunday, November 23, 2025. (Photo by Mathias Mazinga)

According to Ssemogerere, Msgr Mugambe is currently the oldest priest in the Kampala Archdiocese, followed by Emmanuel Cardinal Wamala, who turns 99 in December.

In his thanksgiving remarks, Msgr Mugambe expressed gratitude to God for calling him to the priesthood and urged Christians to strengthen their faith in God, who remains present with His people.

As part of the celebrations, a selection of parishioners who have shown exceptional dedication in serving the parish were recognised and awarded.

Msgr. Joseph Mugambe (seated) shares a photo moment with family members during the thanksgiving mass for his 100th birthday and 70th priestly anniversary at Christ the King Church Kampala on Sunsday November 23, 2025. (Photo by Mathias Mazinga)

They included the late Architect Henry William Ssentoogo, his wife Mildred Warugaba, John Chrysostom Ssekatawa, John Walusimbi, Deo Kasozi Walukaali, Deo Nkuzingoma, Solome Walusimbi, Augustine Bweragura, and Annunciata Ssebuggwawo, among others.

Christ the King Church was established in 1930 by the Mill Hill Fathers, initially as a small structure to serve a community of immigrant Goan Catholics.

It has undergone several expansions over the decades to accommodate its growing congregation, with the most recent and significant renovation project to seat 1700 people, completed in 2018.