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THE BEGINNINGS

In 1960, a group of missionaries, known as the Verona Fathers (later called the Comboni Missionaries), took up residence at Mbuya. They came at the invitation of the Bishop of Kampala, Rt. Rev. V. Billington, who donated 8 hectares of land east of Kampala.

Their founder, Bishop Daniel Comboni, had passed away in Khartoum in 1881. Just two weeks before his death, he wrote: “I have to confess that I have never been better endowed than now with true tested missionaries and sisters. They are all steadfast, solid, and unshakable in trials.”

Comboni’s dream of reaching the Great Lakes region, part of his vast vicariate of Central Africa, was realized through his missionaries. Descending along the Nile, they entered Uganda in February 1910 and established themselves in the northern part of the country. Here, they became the first agents of evangelization, sharing their founder’s belief in the hidden potential of the African people and emulating his compassion for the most abandoned.

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THE BUILDING OF THE PARISH CHURCH

New beginnings often present formidable challenges. When the Comboni missionaries embarked on establishing a parish church in Mbuya, they faced a daunting situation. The Christian community that gathered for prayer was comprised of outsiders, and the location lacked even a basic chapel. Undeterred, the missionaries drew inspiration from the proverb, “It is better to light a single candle than to curse the darkness.” With unwavering optimism, Brother Bruno Rizzo initiated construction in September 1968, following swift approval of the plans. The driving force behind the project was Father T. Agostoni, a visionary leader who, despite lacking parish experience, brought a sense of purpose to the endeavor. The progress was remarkable, and by the time Pope Paul VI visited Uganda in 1969, he was able to bless the foundation stone of the new church, which was already under construction.

THE OFFICIAL OPENING AND CONSECRATION

The new church is dedicated to Deus Optimus et Maximus, in honor of Blessed Mary, under the title of Our Lady of Africa. This title is especially meaningful to the Comboni tradition, as Mary has often been referred to as Regina Nigritiae (Queen of Africa). The church was consecrated on September 20, 1970, in a ceremony led by Cardinal Emmanuel Nsubuga, assisted by Father T. Agostoni, who had recently been elected Superior General of the Comboni missionaries and had traveled from Rome for the occasion. Also present was Monsignor Bellotti, the Apostolic Pronuncio to Uganda.

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THE URBAN CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY

Christians have a special role in promoting unity. In the Bible, the first journey of humanity takes them to the desert, but later, pilgrims travel to sacred places like Bethel, Shechem, Shiloh, and Jerusalem three times a year. However, a Christian community in an urban setting can also risk becoming disconnected from society. The Christian education provided may not be reaching the wider population, let alone influencing the civic and social lives of people in the area. This isn’t just due to the quality of believers, but rather a characteristic of modern society, where social media prioritizes sensational news over education. Everyday life, positive relationships, and good values don’t make headlines, but they are essential for building a strong community

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Our Lady of Africa Mbuya Catholic Church
Plot 1 Boazman Road, Mbuya Hill
P. O. Box 6562, Kampala Uganda

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