As the Catholic faithful mark another Uganda Martyrs’ Day, the spotlight has also turned to the leaders who have guided the Diocese of Kasese since its creation nearly four decades ago.
Established in 1989 after being carved out of the Diocese of Fort Portal, the Diocese of Kasese has had only two bishops in its 37-year history – its founding bishop, Emeritus Bishop Egidio Nkaijanabwo, and the current Ordinary, Bishop Francis Aquirinus Kibira.
Together, the two church leaders have overseen the growth of Catholicism across Kasese District, strengthening evangelisation, education and social services in the Rwenzori sub-region.
Bishop Francis Aquirinus Kibira
Francis Aquirinus Kibira was born on April 16, 1958, in Buryansungwe Village, then part of Kagongo-Ibanda Parish in present-day Kitagwenda District.
He was baptised at Kagongo-Ibanda Parish on April 27, 1958, and received his First Holy Communion there in 1966. His father was Sefronio Nkende, while his mother, Costansio Bakamunaga, died in 1963 when he was only five years old.
The bishop traces his roots to a deeply Catholic family. His grandfather, Yozefu Ssali Makara of the Nkima (Monkey) Clan, was among the early catechists who helped spread the Catholic faith in western Uganda. His home became known as a centre for catechism instruction, shaping the strong Christian environment in which the future bishop was raised.
Journey to the Priesthood
At the age of 14, Kibira joined St Mary’s Minor Seminary, Virika, in Fort Portal in 1972.
He later enrolled at St Thomas Aquinas National Major Seminary, Katigondo, in 1977, where he studied philosophy. Upon graduating in 1980, he obtained a Diploma in Philosophy and a Diploma in Religious Studies from Makerere University.
After a pastoral placement at Butiti Parish in present-day Kyenjojo District, he proceeded to St Mary’s National Major Seminary, Ggaba, in Kampala, where he pursued theological studies.
Kibira graduated with First Class Honours in Theology from the Pontifical Urban University in Rome. He was ordained a deacon on April 29, 1983, at Virika Cathedral and later ordained a priest on September 23, 1984, at Bunena-Kitagwenda Parish by the late Bishop Serapio Magambo of Fort Portal Diocese.
Advanced studies and church leadership
After serving briefly at Bukwali Parish, Fr Kibira taught philosophy at Katigondo Seminary before travelling to Rome in 1987 for further studies.
At the Pontifical Biblical Institute (Biblicum), he specialised in Sacred Scripture and underwent extensive training in Greek, Hebrew, Latin and Aramaic, while also studying Arabic, Italian and German. He later travelled to Israel for studies in Biblical archaeology and modern Hebrew.
During his stay in Rome, he had the opportunity to celebrate Mass with Pope John Paul II, now Saint John Paul II.
He returned to Uganda in 1991 with a Licentiate (Master’s Degree) in Sacred Scripture and subsequently held several senior positions within the Church, including Rector of St Paul’s National Major Seminary, Kinyamasika.
On April 15, 2014, Pope Francis appointed him Bishop of Kasese Diocese, succeeding Bishop Nkaijanabwo.
Although Kasese Diocese had been selected to animate the 2026 Uganda Martyrs’ Day celebrations, the event was scaled down due to public health concerns. The diocese is now expected to lead the national celebrations in 2027.
Emeritus Bishop Egidio Nkaijanabwo
Egidio Nkaijanabwo was born on August 29, 1935, in Rugazi, present-day Rubirizi District.
Raised in a devout Catholic family, he developed an early interest in the priesthood after attending an ordination ceremony at the age of 10. Inspired by the seminarians he saw there, he joined Kitabi Minor Seminary in 1948.
After his studies in Uganda, he was selected in 1958 to continue theological training in England. He was ordained a priest on May 28, 1961, at Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral in the United Kingdom.
Service to the Church
Following his ordination, Fr Nkaijanabwo returned to Uganda and served in various pastoral and administrative roles within the newly created Diocese of Fort Portal.
His ministry coincided with some of Uganda’s most turbulent political periods, including the years of military rule and civil conflict. Despite these challenges, he became known for his commitment to priestly formation and church administration.
In the 1980s, he chaired the board of St John’s Minor Seminary, Kiburara, playing a key role in nurturing future priests.
Founding Bishop of Kasese Diocese
On April 1, 1989, the Vatican established the Diocese of Kasese to cater for the growing Catholic population in the Rwenzori region.
Nkaijanabwo was appointed its first bishop and was consecrated on June 17, 1989.
The principal consecrator was Emmanuel Kiwanuka Nsubuga, assisted by Bishop Serapio Magambo of Fort Portal and Bishop John Baptist Kakubi of Mbarara.
Over the next 25 years, Bishop Nkaijanabwo spearheaded the expansion of the diocese through the creation of parishes, schools and health facilities.
One of his most significant projects was the campaign launched in 2008 to construct a new cathedral in Kasese Town, a project that is now nearing completion.
Retirement and legacy
After serving as bishop for a quarter of a century, Pope Francis accepted Bishop Nkaijanabwo’s resignation on April 15, 2014, in accordance with Canon Law.
On the same day, Bishop Kibira was appointed as his successor.
Since retirement, Bishop Nkaijanabwo has continued to reside within the diocese as Bishop Emeritus and remains a respected spiritual figure in the Church.
In recent years, he has been honoured for his decades of service, including celebrations marking his 60th priestly anniversary in 2021 and his 90th birthday in 2025.
Today, as Kasese Diocese continues to grow, its history remains closely tied to the contributions of the two bishops whose leadership has shaped the Catholic Church in the Rwenzori region for nearly four decades.