The Archbishop of Kampala Archdiocese, the Most Rev Paul Ssemogerere, on Thursday consecrated the newly built Uganda Martyrs’ Catholic Chapel at Kyambogo University, emphasizing the importance of faith, moral discipline, and holistic student development.
Received by Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs) Prof. Maria Gorreti Nassali Musoke, alongside clergy, university leaders, students, and Catholic laity, the Archbishop presided over solemn rites that included the chapel’s dedication, administration of confirmation to six candidates, blessing of new Catholic student and pastoral council leaders, and the commissioning of the Fr John Scalabrini Community Centre construction site.
In his homily, Archbishop Ssemogerere encouraged students and staff to see the chapel as “a sanctuary of faith, hope, and love,” reminding them that spiritual growth and academic pursuits should complement one another.
“Your bodies are temples of God,” he said, urging young people to maintain purity, holiness, and moral discipline throughout their university journey.
He also cautioned against behaviors that compromise spiritual well-being, including drug and substance abuse, misuse of social media, and immoral conduct, urging students to remain steadfast in Catholic values despite modern temptations.
“This chapel should not only be a place of prayer, but a home where you grow into people of substance and integrity — today, tomorrow, and beyond your time at university,” he added.
Archbishop Ssemogerere commended the chaplaincy team for their dedication to nurturing faith within the university community and acknowledged the chapel as a milestone in strengthening campus spiritual life.
University Chaplain Rev. Fr. Raphael Ddamba expressed gratitude to the administration, staff, students, and benefactors who supported the chapel’s construction, thanking Kyambogo University management for allocating land and facilitating the project.
Among the distinguished attendees were Emily Kitto Mwaka, Head of Laity Kampala, her deputy, senior clergy, and university officials.
The Uganda Martyrs Chapel now stands as a beacon of spiritual empowerment and moral formation for Kyambogo University’s students, staff, and the surrounding community.