St Mary’s National Ggaba Seminary marks 50 years

By Francis Jjunju

13^th Nov 2022

Hundreds of people including the Catholic Bishops, Priests and the laity have flocked to St Mary’s National Seminary to mark the 50 years of its existence.

The celebrations were led by Bishop Anthony Zziwa of Kiyinda Mityana diocese, who is also the chairman of the Uganda Episcopal Conference -UEC.

A dozen of bishops together with other Catholic Church leaders were also joined by the Papal Nuncio to Uganda, Archbishop Luigi Bianco at the celebrations.

The seminary has produced over 2,000 priests and 19 bishops since its formation in 1970.

Bishop Zziwa, while delivering his sermon during the Eucharistic Mass for the celebrations hailed the achievements registered by the seminary even during the country turmoil.

Rt. Rev. Zziwa who is a former student and a lecturer of the seminary noted that the institution persevered through the 70s and 80s social political challenges in Uganda by the help of the Bishop Emeritus of Fort Portal Diocese, Rt. Rev. Vincent Joseph McCauley commonly known as Vincent Makole and also the First Rector Msgr. Paul Mukasa.

He says that amidst the challenges, the seminary has fulfilled its mission of producing pastoral priests with enthusiasm.

Bishop Zziwa has however challenged the alumni priests and lay faithful of St. Mary’s National Major Seminary Ggaba to uphold the spirit of social cohesion, voluntarism and hard work which is rare in the world today and Uganda in particular.

The function has been attended by Archbishops, Bishops, Papal Knights and many other dignitaries.

St. Mary’s National Major Seminary Ggaba offers  theological studies to seminarians as their second degree in three strata of academic programs namely, internal diploma of theology; bachelors of Theology of Urbaniana University, Rome; and some offer a Master’s of Arts in Religious and Theological Studies of Makerere University for four years in the final period to priesthood.