Jinja mourns as Bishop Wamika’s body returns home

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The streets of Jinja came to a solemn halt on Monday, October 27, 2025, as the body of Bishop Charles Martin Wamika, the fallen leader of Jinja Diocese, made its final journey to his resting place.

Hundreds of mourners lined the roads, their faces filled with grief, to pay their respects to a man remembered for his unwavering faith and tireless dedication to his flock.

The journey began in Iganga at St. Gonzaga Gonza Minor Seminary, where a Requiem Mass was held for the seminarians and the surrounding community. Following the service, the cortege embarked on its solemn procession towards Jinja, accompanied by a sea of the faithful.

As the hearse neared Jinja Police Barracks, the crowd swelled, demonstrating the widespread love and respect Bishop Wamika commanded in the city.

The procession, a powerful testament to the Bishop’s impact, wound its way through Jinja town to St Joseph’s Cathedral, Rubaga, where he will be laid to rest on Tuesday, October 28. The route was lined with onlookers, many recording the moment with their phones, eager to capture a final glimpse of their spiritual leader and immortalise the occasion.

Upon arrival at the cathedral, hundreds of already-present Christians were waiting, eager to offer their prayers for the repose of the Bishop’s soul. In a deeply symbolic gesture, the flags of the East African Community, Uganda, Vatican City, and Jinja Diocese were lowered to half-mast, a sign of profound mourning for the loss of a significant figure in the community.

The Bishop’s casket was then moved to a tent, where the ordained and consecrated were given a chance to pay their final respects.

A vigil Mass followed, during which the diocesan administrator, John Bosco Etyang, initiated a series of rituals, including the placement of a white cloth on the Bishop’s casket, accompanied by a crucifix, a Bible, a chalice, and a stole.

"Bishop Wamika was a true shepherd. He guided us with compassion and wisdom. His death is a great loss, but his legacy of faith and humility will endure forever," shared Andrew Lubega, a parishioner of Jinja Diocese.

The late Bishop, who passed away on Wednesday, October 22, at the age of 79, was appointed as the chief shepherd of Jinja Diocese in 2010.

His character is seen as irreplaceable by many Christians in the diocese. They remember him as a man who brought countless people to the Church through his devotion. His well-known slogan, "In faith there is no joke," will be remembered by both the ordained and Christians in the region.

He is also eulogised for having promoted vocations in the diocese through St. Gonzaga Gonza Minor Seminary in Iganga, which he initiated and constructed for the region. Additionally, he is praised for strengthening pastoral work in the diocese by creating several Catholic parishes across the Busoga sub-region and guiding his priests well.

"Bishop Wamika's life was a testament to the power of faith and service. His vision for strengthening the church in the Busoga sub-region, particularly through the establishment of new parishes and the unwavering support of the minor seminary, will continue to inspire us. We will miss his guidance, his humility, and his infectious love for God and his people," shared Ben Wakabi, the Vicar General of Jinja Diocese.

The funeral service tomorrow will be presided over by Most Rev. Dr Emmanuel Obbo A.J., the Archbishop of Tororo Archdiocese. One thing remains clear: the Diocesans will continue to remember the fallen Bishop as the chief shepherd who promoted faith and strengthened the Church.