Celebrated church music composer Namukangula, 3 others honoured

Namukangula’s songs had helped many people to listen, internalise and meditate on the Word of God, further to assisting them to pray and worship God better.

Fr Namukangula (wearing a chasuble) being gifted by his sformer students as Mr Joseph Yiga (left) looks on. (Photo b yMathias Mazinga)
By Mathias Mazinga
Journalists @New Vision
#Namukangula #Church #Music

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Celebrated Church music composer, musicologist and music educationist Fr Dr Joseph Namukangula has been given the meritorious award of the Music Committee of the Catholic Diocese of Masaka.

The accolade was handed over to Namukangula during a special function at Kitovu Cathedral in June 2025 at a function presided over by Masaka vicar general, the Rt. Rev. Msgr. Dominic Ssengooba (who stood in for Bishop Serverus Jjumba).

Ssengooba spoke highly of Namukangula’s sacred music ministry, which he referred to as very inspiring. He said Namunkangula’s songs had helped many people to listen, internalise and meditate on the Word of God, further to assisting them to pray and worship God better.

The head of the music department of Masaka Diocese, Fr John Bosco Kabanda, referred to Fr Namukangula as a hero of the Church. He marvelled at Namukangula’s rich ministry, which he said has had a dynamic presence for over six decades. Kabanda also expressed deep admiration of Namukangula’s long music education career at Bukalasa Minor Seminary, which has produced great musicians for the Church, the country and the world.

The brass ensemble of Bukalasa Minor Seminary in action during the function. (Photo by Mathias Mazinga)

The brass ensemble of Bukalasa Minor Seminary in action during the function. (Photo by Mathias Mazinga)



Marvels of Namukangula

Namukangula, 88, hitherto a teacher of music at Holy Family Minor Seminary, Bukalasa (located in Kalungu district, greater Masaka), is one of the most celebrated Ugandan Church music composers, ranked alongside Fr Dr James Kabuye and the legendary Joseph Kyagambiddwa.

He was first introduced to music by the White Fathers at Bukalasa Seminary and later, at the Grand National Major Seminary of Katigondo. He later did advanced studies in Germany, where he studied the organ, piano, voice and choral conducting among other things. Namukangula has an incredibly extensive repertoire of over 1,000 hymns, in the traditional African style and the western (classical) musical genre. His most popular hymns include Magnificat, Mumpita Ani (who do people say I am), Omugaati Gw’obulamu (the bread of life), Abasomi Mujje Tusome, just to mention a few.

On top of composing hymns, Namukangula has trained many prominent musicians and music educationists, including Dr Nicholas Ssempijja of Makerere University, organist Joseph Wasswa (currently living in Germany), organist Michael Mukasa (based in Kenya), Mr Jude Luwaga (founder of the Cherubim Chamber Chorale), celebrated sound engineer Jude Mugerwa and Mr Herbert Muyomba, just to name a few.

Further to the accolade, Namukangula received cash from his former students at Bukalasa. The music directors who went through his mentorship also gave him cash.

Although he was somehow weak, Namukangula expressed great deep appreciation of the recognition and appreciation accorded to him.

“Thank you for this. Thank you for finding value in my music. You have rejuvenated me,” he said.

Other Awardees


The awardees: Mr Joseph Yiga (left), Fr Dr Joseph Namukangula (third-left), and Fr Vincent Katerega (right) with their accolades. Fourth-left is Dr Nicholas Ssempijja who repesented Mr Lawrence Ssemanda. (Photo by Mathias Mazinga)

The awardees: Mr Joseph Yiga (left), Fr Dr Joseph Namukangula (third-left), and Fr Vincent Katerega (right) with their accolades. Fourth-left is Dr Nicholas Ssempijja who repesented Mr Lawrence Ssemanda. (Photo by Mathias Mazinga)



Further to Dr Namukangula, three other celebrated music composers were also recognised. They include Fr Vincent Kateregga (who composed Mujje Baanabange, Bazilio Lumu ne Victoro Mukase (in praise of the pioneer native Ugandan/African Catholic priests), Mr Joseph Yiga (composer of the Trinity Mass) and Mr Lawrence Ssemanda.

Mr Josepjh Yiga giving his thanksgiving speech. (Photo by Mathias Mazinga)

Mr Josepjh Yiga giving his thanksgiving speech. (Photo by Mathias Mazinga)



During the function, a book containing Namukangula’s hymns was launched by former leader of Opposition in Parliament, Mathias Mpuuga Nsamba, who also donated sh3 million towards the project.

The function was also graced by head of the laity of Masaka diocese Regina Kitaka, and the Pookino (Buganda county chief of Buddu), Ow’ekitiibwa Jude Muleke. Several old boys of Bukalasa Seminary, led by Dennis Mulinda, also graced the function.

Spectacular scenes

The spectacle and beauty of the function was highly enhanced by the flamboyant presence and musical action of the diocesan choir of Masaka and the brass ensemble of Holy Family Minor Seminary Bukalasa. The two ensembles used hymns composed by Namukangula and the other awardees.