Welcome to the Archdiocese of Mbarara! Find on this website information about the history of the diocese, its bishops (the Ordinary, his Auxiliary, bishop Emeritus), the main functions in the diocese, diocesan statistics, religious communities of men and women with their respective addresses, other institutions including seminaries, catechetical centre, hospitals and health centres, parishes, centres with resident priests, diocesan and religious priests with their dates of ordination

HISTORY

In the year 1900 Bishop Streicher, Vicar Apostolic of the Vicariate of North Nyanza, sent two White Father Missionaries (Missionaries of Africa) to South Western Uganda to explore the possibility of introducing Catholicism. These were Fr. Lebros and Bro. Hermann Kock.

The two approached Nkore, the present geographical area which is now Mbarara Archdiocese, through Kooki, in Masaka Diocese. Joseph Rutebemberwa, one of the pioneer catechists led them. A son of that catechist, Msgr. Thomas Bishanga, became the second priest of Mbarara, having been ordained in 1944.

On arrival of the missionaries, Kahaya II, the then King of Karo-Karungi gave Nyamitanga Hill to them to set up their quarters and chapel. This later became the seat and foundation of their mission and is presently the Diocesan Centre of Mbarara Archdiocese.

In 1909, Fr. Borrel opened Rugazi mission, now Rugazi Parish. In the same year, Fathers Letohic and Lefleur opened Rushoroza mission in Kabale, Kigezi. In October 1912, Fathers Bringuier, Nicolet and Bro. Tobie Kizza, the first African Brother to join the White Fathers, opened Ibanda Mission. In 1919 Fr. Lefleur founded Kitabi Mission.

THE RWENZORI VICARIATE

Rwenzori Vicariate was carved out of the Vicariate of Uganda on 28th March 1934. The new Ecclesiastical territory then covered the political districts of Western Uganda, i.e. Nkore, Kigezi, Toro and Bunyoro.The present Archdiocese of Mbarara covers the following districts; Mbarara, Ibanda, Kiruhura, Isingiro, Bushenyi, and Ntungamo

On July 25th 1934, Fr. Francis-Xavier Lacoursiere of the White Fathers was ordained first Bishop of Rwenzori Vicariate. Nyamitanga in Mbarara became the seat of the Vicariate. The size of the Vicariate was 400 square miles with 13 missions.

MBARARA DIOCESE

On 25th March 1953, Rwenzori Vicariate assumed status of a diocese. In 1956 F.X. Lacoursiere retired after 21 years as Diocesan Bishop. The second Bishop of Mbarara Diocese was Jean Marie Ogez, Ordained on 26th August 1957. Due to poor health, Bishop Ogez retired in October 1968.
The third ordinary and first indigenous African Bishop is John Baptist Kakubi. He was appointed on 5th July 1969 and ordained Bishop on 1st August 1969. He retired on 23rd November 1991. The present Archbishop Paul K. Bakyenga is the fourth Bishop of Mbarara. He was appointed Bishop Coadjutor of Mbarara, 1st April 1989, ordained Bishop on 24th June 1989, and became Bishop Ordinary of Mbarara on 23rd November 1991. He was installed Archbishop of Mbarara on 11th July 1999.


MBARARA ARCHDIOCESE

On 30th January 1999, the Holy See elevated Mbarara to an Archdiocese and Metropolitan See of the Western Uganda Ecclesiastical Province, with Paul Bakyenga as its first Archbishop. The installation ceremony of Archbishop Paul K. Bakyenga took place on 11th July 1999. Mbarara Archdiocese shares borders with Fort Portal and Kasese Dioceses in the north, Bukoba Diocese, Tanzania in the south, Masaka Diocese in the east and Kabale Diocese in the west.

EPISCOPAL VICARS

BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Most Rev. Lambert Bainomugisha
Fr. Deusdedit Bukenya
Fr. Benedict Njunwoha
Fr. Bonaventure Turyomumazima

HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS
BOARD OF CONSULTORS 2021-2026
The following are the members on the Board of Consultors:

• Rev. Fr. Severinus Ndugwa
• Rev. Fr. Peter Kanyandago
• Rev. Fr. Benedict Njunwoha
• Rev. Fr. Bonaventure Turyomumazima
• Rev. Fr. John Baptist Bashobora
• Rev. Fr. Deusdedit Bukenya
• Rev. Fr. Felix Tumuhaise
• Rev. Fr. Richard Ssebugwawo
• Rev. Fr. Sebastian Tumusiime
• Rev. Fr. Gervase Nsekanimanya
• Rev. Fr. Vincent Birungi
• Rev. Fr. John Baptist Turinomujuni

BIHANGA: St. Kizito (2013)

P. O. Box 150, MBARARA

Diocesan Priests

BIHARWE: Blessed Sacrament (2020)

P.O. Box 150, MBARARA

Blessed Sacrament Priests

BIRUNDUMA: St. John Baptist (2006)
P. O. Box 150, MBARARA

Diocesan Priests

BITOOMA: St. Daniel Comboni (1993)
P. O. Box 112, BUSHENYI

Diocesan Priests

BUBANGIZI: Our Lady Help of Christians (1963)
P.O. Box MITOOMA, BUSHENYI
Diocesan Priests, Sisters of Our Lady of Good Counsel, Sisters of our Lady of Fatima

BUBAARE: St. Charles Lwanga (2004)
P. O. Box 150, MBARARA

Apostles of Jesus

BUHIMBA: St. Joseph the Worker (2000)
P. O. Box 150, MBARARA

Diocesan Priests

BUHUNGIRO: Blessed Virgin Mary of Fatima (1966)
P.O. Box 150, MBARARA
Diocesan Priests, Sisters of Our Lady of Good Counsel, Sisters of Mercy of the Holy Cross

BUSHENYI: St. Kagwa: (1977)
P.O. Box 205, BUSHENYI
Diocesan Priests

BUTARE: Mary Mother of the Church (1932)
P.O. Box 150 MBARARA
Diocesan Priests, Sisters of Our Lady of Good Counsel

BWIZIBWERA: St. Peter (2010)
P. O. Box 150, MBARARA

Diocesan Priests

IBANDA: Our Lady of Mercy (1912)
P.O. Box 150 MBARARA
Diocesan Priests, Sisters of Our Lady of Good Counsel, Sisters of Our Lady of Fatima,
Daughters of Mary and Joseph, Missionary Sisters of Mary Mother of the Church, Franciscan Sisters of the Reign of Jesus, Brothers of Christian Instruction, Babies Home, Ibanda Hospital, Catechists Training Center, St. John Mary Vianney Priests Rest House.

ISHONGORORO: St. Adolf (2004)
P. O. Box 150, MBARARA

Apostles of Jesus, Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena

KABUYANDA: St. Paul (1989)
P. O. Box 150, MBARARA, Montfort Missionaries

KAGAMBA: Our Lady of Assumption (1958)
P.O. Box 2005 RWASHAMAIRE
Diocesan Priests, Sisters of Our Lady of Good Counsel, Sisters of Our Lady of Fatima, Consolers of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

KAKOMA: St. John Baptist (2000)
P.O. Box 150, MBARARA
Diocesan Priests

KATETE: St. Mathew the Evangelist (2022)

P.O. Box 150 MBARARA
Missionaries of Africa Priests

KATUKURU PARISH: Sts. Charles Lwanga and Matia Mulumba (2009)
P.O. Box 150 MBARARA
Claretian Fathers

KASHEKURO: St. Charles Lwanga (1978)
P.O. Box 150, MBARARA
Diocesan Priests, Sisters of St. Vincent de Paul

KAZO: St. Paul (1990)
P.O. Box 150, MBARARA
Diocesan Priests, Evangelizing Sisters of Mary

KENYENA-KYEZIMBIRE: St. Thomas The Apostle (1972)
P. O. BOX 150, MBARARA

Diocesan Priests

KIGARAMA: St. Charles Lwanga (1998)
P.O. Box 150, MBARARA
Diocesan Priests, Missionary Sisters of Mary Mother of the Church

KIBONA: St. John Baptist (2009)
P. O. BOX 150, MBARARA

Diocesan Priests

KIHANI: St. Charles Lwanga (1999)
P.O. Box 150 MBARARA
Diocesan Priests

KITABI: St. Peter (1919)
P.O. Box 122, BUSHENYI
Diocesan Priests, Sisters of Our Lady of Good Counsel, Daughters of Mary (Bannabikira), Brothers of St. Charles Lwanga (Bannakaroli), Missionaries of Africa, Kitabi Seminary.

KITURA: St. Peter (2002)
P. O. Box 150, Mbarara

Diocesan Priests

KYAMUHUNGA: Our Lady of the Rosary (1965)
P.O. Box 150, MBARARA.
Comboni Missionaries, Missionary Sisters of Mary Mother of the Church, St. Daniel Comboni Hospital, St. Mary’s Vocational School

KYAWIRU: Holy Family (1998)
P. O. Box 150, MBARARA

Diocesan Priests

KYOGA: St. John of the Cross (1991)
P.O. Box 150 MBARARA
Diocesan Priests, Mother House of Sisters of Our Lady of Good Counsel

MABONWA: Our Lady of Good Counsel (1971)
P.O. Box 150 MBARARA.
Diocesan Priests, Sisters of Our Lady of Good Counsel

MBARARA TOWN: Uganda Martyrs (1965)
P.O. Box 283 MBARARA
Diocesan Priests, Missionary Sisters of Mary Mother of the Church, Franciscan Friars Minor,  Diocesan Bookshop, St. Kizito Preparatory Seminary

MUSHANGA: OUR Lady of the Rosary (1948)
P.O. Box 187, MBARARA
Diocesan Priests, Sisters of Our Lady of Good Counsel, The Grail, St. Mukasa Preparatory Seminary,
Mushanga Social Training Centre.

MUTARA: St. Noah (2010)
P. O. Box 150, MBARARA

Diocesan Priests

NYABWINA: St. Anthony Claret (1998)
P. O. Box 187, BUSHENYI

Claretian Fathers, Sisters of St. Joseph of Tarbes

NYAKISHOJWA: St Peter the Apostle (1973)
P.O. Box 150 MBARARA
Diocesan Priests

NYAMITANGA: Our Lady of Perpetual Help (1902)
P.O. Box 150, MBARARA
Diocesan Priests, Montfort Missionaries, Chemin Neuf Fathers, Sisters of Our Lady of Good Counsel, Sisters of Our Lady of Fatima, Daughters of Mary and Joseph, Missionaries of Africa, Bannakaroli Brothers, Sisters of the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Poor Clares Monastery, Kyera Propaedeutic Seminary, St. Joseph’s Vocational School, Diocesan Printing Press, Radio Maria Station

NTUNGAMO TOWN: Sacred Heart (1993)
P.O. Box 150 MBARARA
Diocesan Priests

RUBINDI: St. Joseph the Worker (1961)
P.O. Box 150 MBARARA
Diocesan Priests, Sisters of Our Lady of Good Counsel

RUGAZI: Holy Name of Mary (1909)
P.O. Box 150 MBARARA
Diocesan Priests, Sisters of Our Lady of Good Counsel

RUSHANJE: St. Charles Lwanga (1964)
P.O. Box 150, MBARARA
Diocesan Priests, Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary

RUSHERE (2000)
P.O. Box 9, RUSHERE
Comboni Missionaries, Consolers of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Congregation of the Kkottongnae Brothers and Sisters of Jesus

RUSHOOKA: St Francis of Assisi (1996)
P.O. Box 1024, KABALE
Franciscan Friars Minor, Daughters of Divine Charity, School Sisters of Saint Francis of Christ the King

RWERA: Our Lady of Assumpion (1951)
P.O. Box 4006, NTUGAMO
Diocesan Priests, Sisters of Our Lady of Good Counsel, St. Augustine Minor Seminary

RWENTUNDA: St. Andrew Kagwa (2008)
P. O. Box 150, MBARARA

Diocesan Priests

RWENYAGA: St. Charles Lwanga (1998)
P. O. Box 150, MBARARA

Diocesan Priests, Daughters of St. Theresa of the Child Jesus

BUHINDA: St. Thomas

P.O. Box 150 MBARARA
Diocesan Priests

BURUNGA: St. Peter

P.O. Box 150 MBARARA
Diocesan Priests, Sisters of Our Lady of Fatima

BWIZIBWERA: St. Francis of Assisi

P.O. Box 150, MBARARA

Diocesan Priests 

ITOJO: St. Joseph the Worker

P.O. Box 150 MBARARA
Diocesan Priests

KAKINDO: Christ the King

P.O. Box 150 MBARARA
Diocesan Priests, The Penitent Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi

KANYANSHANDE: St. Peter

P.O. Box 150 MBARARA
Diocesan Priests

KASHORERO: St. Luke

P.O. Box 150 MBARARA
Diocesan Priests

KIKUMBO: St. Charles Lwanga

P.O. Box 150 MBARARA
Diocesan Priests

KISHARIRO: St. John

P.O. Box 150 MBARARA
Diocesan Priests

KITWE: St. Jude

P.O. Box 150 MBARARA
Diocesan Priests

KYABWAYERA: St. Gonzaga Gonza

P.O. Box 150 MBARARA
Diocesan Priests

KYEIBUZA: St. Dominic

P.O. Box 150 MBARARA
Diocesan Priests, Missionary Sisters of Mary Mother of the Church

NGARAMA: St. Joseph’s

P.O. Box 150 MBARARA
Diocesan Priests, Cistercian Sisters of Charity

NYABUHIKYE: St. Athanasius

P.O. Box 150 MBARARA

Diocesan Priests

NYAKAGURUKA: St. Mathias Mulumba

P.O. Box 150 MBARARA
Franciscan Friars Minor

NYAKITOKO: St. Mukasa

P.O. Box 150 MBARARA
Diocesan Priests

NYAKYERA: St. Joseph

P.O. Box 150 MBARARA
Diocesan Priests

NYAMITYOBORA: Maria Ow’embabazi (Our Lady of Mercy)

P.O. Box 150 MBARARA
Famiglia di Nazareth Fathers and Sisters,

OMUKASHANDA: St. Charles Lwanga

P.O. Box 150 MBARARA
Diocesan Priests

RYAKAHIMBI : Holy Martyrs

P.O. Box 150 MBARARA
Diocesan Priests

RWENKOBWA: St. Anderea Kagwa

P.O. Box 150 MBARARA
Diocesan Priests

RWETSINGA: Our Lady Helper of Christians

P.O.Box150MBARARA
Diocesan Priests

RWOHO: St. Andrew

P.O. Box 150 MBARARA
Diocesan Priests

SSANGA: St. John

P.O. Box 150 MBARARA

Comboni Missionaries

NAKIVALE REFUGEES CHAPLAINCY: St. John Paul II

P.O. Box 150 MBARARA
Diocesan Priests

1.Fr. Severinus Ndugwa

2.Fr. Bonaventure Turyomumazima

3.Fr. Peter Kanyandago

4.Fr. John Baptist Turinomujuni

5.Fr. Benedict Njunwoha 

6.Fr. Deusdedit Twesigyeomwe

7.Fr. Deusdedit Bukenya

8.Fr. Thadeus Mchomba, CMF 

9.Fr. Emmanuel Tusiime 

10.Fr. Suzario Mwesiime 

11.Fr. Gervase Nsekanimanya 

12.Fr. Aloysius Kashamba

13.Fr. Paulino Mukasa  

14.Fr. Peter Reilly, M. Afr. 

15.Fr. Godfrey Bataringaya, AJ

16.Fr. Ernest Akhonya, SMM 

17.Fr. John Baptist Bashobora

18.Fr. Vincent Birungi    

19.Fr. Deusdedit Karemire

20.Fr. Protase Rutaremwa

21.Fr. Sebastian Tumusiime      

22.Fr. Darius Magunda

23.Fr. Felician Kananura   

24.Fr. Godwin Muhangi

25.Fr. Didas Kasapuri 

26.Fr. Charles Lwanga 

27.Mutabaruka

28.Fr. Richard Ssebugwawo

29.Fr. Vincent Mucunguzi

30.Fr. Robert Kakuru

31.Fr. Melchiades Zeddy

32.Byabashaija

33.Fr. Charles Nuwagaba

34.Fr. Felix Tumuhaise

COMMISSIONS
There are seven (7) Diocesan Commissions that help the Ordinary to fulfill the main duties of the Church, namely: evangelization, sanctification, teaching and works of charity. The commissions are the following: Economic, Caritas, Social Communications, Justice and Peace, Personnel, Pastoral, and Education.

MISSIONARY PRIESTS IN MBARARA ARCHDIOCESE

HEALTH UNITS AND HOSPITALS

Uganda Martyrs - Ibanda Hospital
(With nurses’ Training & School of Midwifery)
P.O. Box 103, MBARARA

St. Daniel Comboni Hospital Kyamuhunga
P.O. Box 112, BUSHENYI

Holy Innocents Children’s Hospital (HICH) Mbarara
P. O. Box 1685,
Mbarara

Mother Franciska Lechner Rushooka Health Centre IV
P.O. Box 150, MBARARA

Bitooma Health Centre III
P.O. Box 150 MBARARA

Bubangizi Health Centre III
P.O. Box 150 MBARARA

Butare Health Centre III
P.O. 150 MBARARA

Kakoma Health Centre III
P.O. Box 150 Mbarara

Kyabirukwa Health Centre III
P.O. Box 260, MBARARA

Lamezia Health Centre III
P. O. Box 9, Rushere, Kiruhuura

Mushanga Health Centre III
P.O. Box 187 MBARARA

Nyakatsiro Health Centre III
P.O. Box 192 BUSHENYI

St. Claret Nyabwina Health Centre III
P.O. Box 150 MBARARA

St. Claret Katukuru Health Centre III

P.O. Box 150 MBARARA

St Lucia Kagamba Health Centre III
P.O. Box 2005, RWASHAMAIRE

St. Joseph’s Ngarama Health Centre III

P.O. Box 150 MBARARA

St Mary's Kyeibuza Health Centre III
P.O. Box 150 MBARARA

St. Raphael Children’s Health Centre Ntungamo
P.O. Box 150 Mbarara

Buhungiro Health Centre II
P.O. Box 150 MBARARA

Burungira Health Centre II
P.O. Box 150 MBARARA

Kabuyanda Health Centre III
P.O. Box 150 MBARARA

Nyakashoga Health Centre II
P.O. Box 150 MBARARA

Nyamitanga Health Centre II
P.O. Box 150 Mbarara

Rugazi Mission Health Centre II
P.O. Box 150 MBARARA

St. Francesca- Makonje Health Centre II
P.O. Box 150 MBARARA

St. Charles Lwanga Kashekuro Health Centre II

P.O. Box 150 MBARARA

St. Laura Kitabi Health Centre II

P.O. Box 150 MBARARA

St. Maria Rafaela Rushanje Health Centre II

P.O. Box 150 MBARARA

BOOKSHOPS

Mbarara Catholic Book Centre
P.O. Box 283, Mbarara

Nyamitanga Bookshop,
P.O. Box 150 Mbarara

RADIO STATION

Radio Maria (U) Mbarara
P.O. Box 560, Mbarara

TRAINING FACILITIES/ Centres

Mbarara Catholic Social Centre
P.O. Box 283 Mbarara

Mushanga Social Training Centre,
P.O. Box 150 Mbarara

Yesu Ahuriire Community, Karama (spiritual renewal, leadership training and Youth ministry)
P.O. Box 1973, MBARARA
Tel: Community 0772625834, Prayer line: 0772470760, E-mail: ahuriirecommunity@yahoo.com

OTHER INSTITUTIONS

Holy Innocents Babies Home, Ibanda
P.O. Box 302, IBANDA

SEMINARIES AND HOUSES OF FORMATION

Kitabi Minor Seminary (1935)
P.O. Box 60, BUSHENYI

St. Augustine Minor Seminary Rwera (2018)

P.O. Box 150, MBARARA

St. Mukasa Preparatory Seminary (1967)
P.O. Box 181, KABWOHE

St. Kizito Preparatory Seminary (2013)

P.O. Box 150, MBARARA

Daughters of Mary and Joseph, Nyamitanga
P.O. Box 380, MBARARA

Montfort Missionaries Formation House
P.O. Box 830, MBARARA

Sisters of St. Clare, Monastery of the Holy Church
P.O. Box 150, MBARARA

Sisters of Our Lady of Good Counsel, Mbarara
P.O. Box 260, MBARARA

St. Kalemba Catechetical Centre
P.O. Box 104, IBANDA

Franciscan Friars Formation House, Nyakaguruka

P.O. Box 874, MBARARA

Daughters of Divine Charity Formation Centre

P.O. Box 222, Mbarara

RELIGIOUS COMMUNITIES OF MEN

Comboni Missionaries
Franciscans Friars Minor (OFM)
Missionaries of Africa (White Fathers)
Montfort Missionaries
Apostles of Jesus
Brothers of St. Charles Lwanga (Bannakaroli Bros.)
Brothers of Christian Instruction
Brothers of St. Joseph the Worker
Claretian Missionaries
Congregation of the Kkottongnae Brothers of Jesus
Famiglia di Nazareth

Blessed Sacrament Fathers

Chemin Neuf Fathers

RELIGIOUS COMMUNITIES OF WOMEN

Sisters of Our Lady of Good Counsel
Daughters of Mary and Joseph
Sisters of St. Clare (Poor Clares)
Daughters of Mary (Bannabikira Sisters)
Daughters of Our Lady of Fatima
Missionary Sisters of Mary Mother of the Church
Good Samaritan Sisters
Consolers of the Sacred Heart
Evangelizing Sisters of Mary
Sisters of Divine Charity
The Grail
Kkottongnae  Sisters of Jesus
Sisters of St. Joseph of Tarbes
Sisters of the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mary
Franciscan Sisters of the Reign of Jesus

Famiglia di Nazareth Sisters

School Sisters of St. Francis of Christ the King

Penitent Sisters of Saint Francis of Assisi

Sisters of St. Vincent de Paul of Lendelede

Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena

Cistercian Sisters of Charity

Sisters of Mercy of the Holy Cross

Daughter of St. Theresa of the Child Jesus

Bishop Stuart University Kakoba

Boniconsilii Community
Uganda Technical College Bushenyi
Corpus Christi (MUST)
Cleverland High School
Diocesan Youth Apostolate
Ibanda Hospital
Ibanda SSS
Kampala International University – Western Campus
Kashaka Girls High School

Bp. Ogez High School
Kyeizooba Girls Secondary School
Maryhill High School
Mbarara High School
Ntare School
St. John’s Nyabwina SSS
Nyamitanga Sec. School
Nyamitanga Technical Institute
Poor Clares Monastery
Sacred Heart SSS, Mushanga
St. Bridget Girls SSS
St. Cecilia Vocational Girls SS
St. George’s PTC Ibanda
St. Helen's Convent
St. Kaggwa High School

Mayanja Memorial Nursing School

Divine Charity Sisters Convent
St. Luke Convent

St. Joseph’s Vocational Sch. Mbarara
St. Mary's Vocational SS (Kyamuhunga)
St. Michael Convent
St. Paul’s Family

https://www.archdioceseofmbarara.org.ug/