UGANDA MOURNS THE PASSING OF RT. REV. CHARLES MARTIN WAMIKA, BISHOP OF JINJA DIOCESE
By Odeke Emma Akol
The Catholic community in Uganda is in mourning following the passing of Rt. Rev. Charles Martin Wamika, the Bishop Ordinary of the Diocese of Jinja, who died on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at 4:00 p.m.
The sad announcement was officially made through a statement from the Bishop’s Office of the Diocese of Jinja, signed by Fr. Gerald Muto, the Diocesan Chancellor. Addressed to the clergy, religious men and women, and the lay faithful within and beyond the diocese, the statement conveyed profound sorrow and faith in the promise of eternal life.
> “It is with deep sorrow and Christian hope in the resurrection that the Diocese of Jinja announces the passing on of our beloved shepherd, Rt. Rev. Charles Martin Wamika,” the statement read.
Bishop Wamika, who had faithfully shepherded the Diocese of Jinja for many years, was celebrated as a humble and devoted servant of God whose leadership transformed both the spiritual and social fabric of the community. During his tenure, the diocese witnessed remarkable growth in evangelization, education, and charitable outreach programs that touched countless lives.
Known for his gentle nature, wisdom, and strong sense of pastoral duty, Bishop Wamika inspired both the clergy and the laity to live out their faith with sincerity and service. Many remembered him for his consistent message of love, peace, and unity — values that defined his episcopal ministry.
As news of his death spread across the country, tributes poured in from religious leaders, political figures, and ordinary believers who spoke of his dedication and the deep impact he made on the Catholic Church in Uganda. Prayer vigils and special Masses were immediately organized in parishes across the Jinja Diocese and beyond, as the faithful gathered to honor and pray for the repose of his soul.
The Diocesan Chancellor, Fr. Muto, noted that funeral arrangements and burial details would be communicated in due course. Meanwhile, the faithful were urged to keep the late bishop in their prayers.
> “We invite all the Clergy, Religious, and the Faithful to keep our fallen Bishop Wamika in your prayers. May his soul rest in eternal peace,” the letter concluded.
Rt. Rev. Charles Martin Wamika will be remembered as a shepherd who led with love, humility, and unwavering faith — a man who devoted his life to the service of God and His people. His legacy will live on through the lives he touched, the institutions he strengthened, and the faith he nurtured within the Diocese of Jinja and beyond.
