The Catholic Diocese of Jinja is laying to rest its late shepherd, Rt. Rev. Charles Martin Wamika, today, Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at St Joseph’s Cathedral Rubaga in Jinja.
The requiem mass is being led by Archbishop Emmanuel Obbo of the Tororo Archdiocese and is attended by hundreds of mourners, including clergy, government officials, and Christians from across Uganda.
Bishop Wamika, who passed away on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, after a long illness, was 72 years old. Reports indicate he had been battling prostate cancer prior to his death.
A week-long programme of prayers and vigils preceded today’s burial. On Friday, October 24, a requiem mass was held at Lubaga Cathedral in Kampala, followed by public viewings in Tororo, Budaka—his home district—and Iganga, where faithful gathered to pay their final respects.
His body was later brought to Jinja Diocese, where night prayers were held ahead of today’s final farewell.
Bishop Wamika, who served as Bishop of Jinja since 2010, is remembered for his commitment to education, health, and spiritual growth within the diocese.
He championed parish-based development projects and often preached about unity, integrity, and service to others.
Born on August 12, 1953, he was ordained a priest on September 22, 1979, and served in various pastoral roles before being appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Tororo in 1993.
He was installed as Bishop of Jinja in March 2010 and led the diocese faithfully until his death.
The late bishop will be laid to rest inside St. Joseph’s Cathedral Rubaga, joining his predecessors in the diocese’s sacred burial grounds.