Fr. Kibirige explained that the existing church structure was originally intended to serve a sub-parish, over 40 years ago but the growing population of believers, particularly children, has made the construction of a larger church a necessity.
Christians, religious leaders and well-wishers have rallied behind the construction of a modern 1,000-seater church at St. Andrew Kaggwa Kichwa Mpoma Parish in Mukono District, in a move aimed at addressing the growing number of worshippers at the parish.
The project was officially launched on Sunday by the Vicar General of Lugazi Diocese, Msgr. Richard Kayondo, during celebrations marking the parish’s fifth anniversary at Kituba Village in Nama Sub-county.
St. Andrew Kaggwa Kichwa Mpoma Parish was established in 2021 by the Bishop of Lugazi Diocese, Bishop Christopher Kakooza, and has since experienced significant growth in the number of faithful attending its services and programmes.
Speaking at the event, the parish priest, Fr. Denis Kibirige, said the current church building, which was constructed in the 1980s and commissioned by the late Cardinal Emmanuel Nsubuga on December 10, 1987, can no longer accommodate the increasing congregation.
He noted that many Christians are often forced to sit outside during Sunday Mass because of limited space.
Fr. Kibirige explained that the existing church structure was originally intended to serve a sub-parish, over 40 years ago but the growing population of believers, particularly children, has made the construction of a larger church a necessity.
He said that just as previous generations sacrificed to build the current church, the responsibility now lies with the present generation to provide a more spacious place of worship for them and the future generations.
During his homily, Msgr. Kayondo urged Christians to remain steadfast in their faith and avoid practices that contradict Christian teachings.
He warned against mixing Christianity with practices that are incompatible with the Gospel and encouraged believers to remain fully committed to God. “Let us avoid double standards—worshipping God while also turning to Satan. God detests such practices,” he stressed.
Msgr. Kayondo also appealed to Christians to actively support the construction project, stressing that the church depends entirely on contributions from the faithful rather than government or foreign funding.
The event also featured the administration of the Sacrament of Confirmation to more than 100 young Christians, whom he encouraged to remain faithful and live according to the teachings of Christ.
In addition, Msgr. Kayondo presided over the wedding ceremony of Beatrice Nakkazi and Bruno Sserunkuuma, who exchanged marriage vows before family members, friends and fellow Christians, pledging lifelong commitment to one another in both good and difficult times.
Presenting the parish report, Fr. Kibirige expressed concern that despite ongoing evangelisation efforts, including home visits, sub-parish and parish programmes, some Christians still do not attend Sunday Mass regularly, while others continue to engage in witchcraft practices.
He, however, commended Christians who have consistently supported the parish and expressed confidence that the church construction project would succeed through collective effort.
The fundraising drive for the project was officially launched by Augustine Kato, the Head of Laity in Lugazi Diocese, who encouraged Christians to join church-led savings and credit initiatives under Caritas Lugazi to improve household incomes and strengthen their ability to support church development projects.
Catholics and other well-wishers, including members of the Anglican community, made cash contributions and pledges towards the construction of the new church.
Msgr. Kayondo also commissioned and blessed a 12-member church construction committee that will oversee resource mobilisation and supervise implementation of the project, which is expected to commence soon.
