With just hours to the end of the year 2025, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kasana–Luweero has banned overnight prayers to usher in the New Year 2026.
The directive has been signed by the Diocesan Pastoral Coordinator, Rev. Fr. Dr. Cyril Kasigwa, just hours before the end of 2025.
Traditionally, end-of-year prayers run from around 7:00 or 8:00 p.m. up to midnight, with some congregations praying through the night until morning.
However, Fr. Kasigwa says the diocese has suspended overnight prayers as a preventive safety measure for congregants.
In a communication sent to the 32 parishes with over 300 sub-parishes, parish priests across the diocese, have been instructed to hold only the scheduled evening Masses, which must end before nightfall, Fr. Kasigwa signed.
He emphasized that no prayers should continue through the night.
Fr. Kasigwa says that after the evening prayers, all worshippers should leave the church premises and return home.
He adds that believers are expected to return in the morning to offer thanksgiving prayers for the New Year.
While acknowledging that overnight prayers are not wrong, Fr. Kasigwa maintains the new instruction is aimed at the safety of the church and its followers.
Fr. Kasigwa also revealed that the diocese will host prayer camps in different parishes at the beginning of the year.
He called on security agencies to clearly understand the arrangements and not to treat prayer activities with suspicion, noting that any gathering of such nature are purely religious.
According to Fr. Kasigwa, the prayer camps will run from January 5 to January 11, 2026.
He further urged camp organizers to closely coordinate with security agencies to ensure smooth operations.
By Newsroom
31st Dec 2025
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