About Us
About Us
We are one of the oldestthe oldest institution in the south of Sahara founded in 1893.
The present community is composed of 21 permanent staff members, 37 part-time staff members, 15 supportive staff, 40 casual laborers and 523 SeminariansBukalasa Minor Seminary is the oldest seminary in Uganda and sub-Saharan Africa.
We form integral individuals intellectually, grounded in human values and Christian virtues. We take pride in nurturing future priests and leaders who serve both locally and beyond. Every step of Bukalasa Seminary life journey, was designed to help seminarians to, grow in faith and discover new passions.
Bukalasa Minor Seminary is the oldest seminary in Uganda and sub-Saharan Africa. Our mission is to form integral individuals intellectually, grounded in human values and Christian virtues. We take pride in nurturing future priests and leaders who serve both locally and beyond. Every step of Bukalasa Seminary life journey, was designed to help seminarians to, grow in faith and discover new passions.
Vocation
Learners who join the seminary must have a calling and conviction to join the formation to priesthood because it invlolves a lot of sacrifice.
Academics
Rigorous Academic programs, Latin Choir and a wholistic education with public speaking sessions.
Prayer
We emphasize prayer to by promote ethical behavior, nurturing seminarians' spirits, and strengthening students' morals and values.
Present day Bukalasa
The present community is composed of 21 permanent staff members, 37 part-time staff members, 15 supportive staff, 40 casual laborers and 523 SeminariansBukalasa Minor Seminary is the oldest seminary in Uganda and sub-Saharan Africa. Our mission is to form integral individuals intellectually, grounded in human values and Christian virtues. We take pride in nurturing future priests and leaders who serve both locally and beyond. Every step of Bukalasa Seminary life journey, was designed to help seminarians to, grow in faith and discover new passions.
Background of Bukalasa
The history of the Catholic Church in Uganda indicate that, after the failure of the attempt to train Ugandan priests abroad, Bishop Hirth who was by then the Vicar of Nyanza Vicariate started the Minor Seminary at Rubaga in June in 1891. Unfortunately a war that broke out the following year between the Catholics and the Anglicans claimed the life of one of the staff members, and the survivors scattered and sought refuge in exile., and this led to the temporary closure of this Seminary. While in exile in Kiziba, Bishop Hirth decided to launch a new campaign of re-opening the Seminary but this time at Villa Maria in Buddu, where Bishop Henry Streicher was the Parish Priest. It was opened at the beginning of 1893. This marked the beginning of the minor seminary which is now at Bukalasa. Although the Seminary opened at the beginning of the year, the actual school program started on 29th June 1893.
4546
Seminarians
1320
Priests
7
Bishops
1
Cardinal
History of Bukalasa Seminary
After several months at Villa Maria, due to severe famine and terrible plague in Buddu, the Seminary moved back to Rubaga in November 1893. The Seminary stayed for only two years, and when it was noticed that seminarians used to escape on Sundays and go Kabaka‘s palace nearby in search for meat and banana beer, the Seminary was moved to Kisubi in 1895. The situation was stable for only 4 years; in 1899 a serious famine broke out and the Seminary was closed for a full year. On return in the middle of 1900, a strange and terrible disease broke out along the shores of Lake Victoria, claiming the lives of a number of people and this forced the minor seminary in 1903 to be moved to Bukalasa hill in Buddu just one mile away from Villa Maria where it had started in 1893. From that time onwards the minor seminary has survived up to date. Hence in the year 2018, the Seminary marked exactly 125 years of dedicated service since the present minor seminary at Bukalasa started in Masaka Diocese at Villa Maria Parish. The event was colorfully celebrated on 30th June 2018
Sfaff Members
Our Formators
Rector
Bursar
Dean of studies
Choir Master