Busuubizi parish priest Kyemwa celebrates clerical golden jubilee

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Glorious things have been spoken of Fr Denis Kyemwa, the parish-priest of Busuubizi (in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kiyinda-Mityana), who this year celebrates 50 years of his priestly ordination. 

The complements were delivered during his golden jubilee thanksgiving mass at his family’s homestead at Luwala, Kammengo sub-county, Mpigi district on December 13, 2025.

Kasana-Luweero bishop Lawrence Mukasa, who spoke highly of Kyemwa's exemplary commitment to the Catholic sacerdotal ministry. Mukasa, who was the day’s homilist, also praised Kyemwa for his humility, simplicity and devotion to people.

Fr. Denis Kyemwa (second-left) receiving a gift from jubilant clerics and consecrated religious men and women of the Ngeye Clan.

“Our brother Kyemwa is a man of the people. He will not bypass anybody, not even a little one, without greeting them. He gives the people time. He loves his Ganda culture and the Ngeye clan to which he belongs. He has given his all to protect the property of the land. He has been to every office and court of law fighting land-grabbers. We thank God for his life and ministry,” Mukasa said.

Archbishop Dr Augustine Kasujja (Apostolic Nuncio) thanked Kyemwa for his ministry in the dioceses of Kasana-Luweero and Kiyinda-Mityana. 

“Kyemwa was originally a priest of the greater Kampala archdiocese. When the diocese of Kiyinda-Mityana was created in 1981, finding himself in the territory, he stayed until now. He has helped us to understand better that the Catholic Church is one. So, it doesn’t matter where you are,” Mukasa said.

Kiyinda-Mityana bishop Dr Joseph Antony Zziwa also paid tribute, revealing that Kyemwa was one of the members of the mass choir that animated the pontifical mass that Pope Paul VI celebrated at Kololo Airstrip during his visit to Uganda in 1969.

Buganda kingdom Katikkiro (premier) Charles Peter Mayiga praised Kyemwa for his option of ecclesial service, which he said, attracted no financial gains or popular honors.

Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga (tight) gifting Fr. Kyemwa

“Kyemwa comes from a family of chiefs. His grandfather, Anderea Kyemwa Ssekiti, was the county chief of Busujju and also one of the regents who managed the affairs of Buganda when Kabaka Muteesa II was in forced exile in 1953-55. His father Gabriel Kaaya, was also a sub-county chief in Maanyi. I wonder how he chose priesthood, where there is no marrying or accumulation of material wealth! You know, we men like marrying women, especially when we get money. We also want to command respect and honour. Being a son and grandson of prominent chiefs, Kyemwa had many opportunities to enjoy life, marry women, and also inherit huge chunks of land. But he disregarded all the respective privileges and chose to serve God as a priest. And he has been true to the ministry. He doesn’t pay lip service to the Word of God. What he preaches is what he demonstrates in his life and actions," Mayiga said.

Kyemwa was also praised with gratitude by the head of the laity of Kiyinda-Mityana Cathedral parish (also the Buganda Kingdom minister of local government), Joseph Balikuddembe Kawuki, who spoke highly of his humility and calmness. 

The parish-priest of Ggoli, Msgr. Joseph Njala thanked the family of Kyemwa for donating 60 acres of land to the church. He especially thanked Kyemwa for fighting hard to protect the land when some uncouth land grabbers attempted to steal it.