Bukalasa Seminary

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About Us

We are one of the oldest institution in the south of Sahara Africa founded in 1893.

Who we are

Message from the Rector

Welcome to Bukalasa Seminary, a beacon of education and faith since 1893. Our institution stands as a testament to the vision of Bishop Hirth, who established this seminary in the heart of Kalungu District. Here, we mold not only priests but also responsible citizens who contribute to society.

The present community is composed of 21 permanent staff members, 37 part-time staff members, 15 supportive staff, 40 casual laborers and 523 Seminarians. Bukalasa Minor Seminary is the oldest seminary in Uganda and sub-Saharan Africa.

Rev. Bishop Serveus Jjumba, Ph.D
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Bishop Hirth who was by then the Vicar of Nyanza Vicariate started the Minor Seminary at Rubaga in June in 1891.

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.

Bukalasa Seminary story through data

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.

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Priests
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Cardinal
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A BRIEF HISTORY AND A PROFILE

Serving Since 1893

1. INTRODUCTION

Bukalasa Seminary is the Diocesan Minor Seminary of Masaka Diocese. It was started by his Lordship Bishop Henry Sreicher in 1893 in order to train future Priests. The present community is composed of 21 permanent staff members, 37 part-time staff members, 15 supportive staff, 40 casual laborers and 523 Seminarians

2. BACKGROUND

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.

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.

3. Location

The Seminary is situated about 37 kilometers from the equator towards the south, with an average attitude of 1150 kilometers above sea level. It is located at Bukalasa village opposite Katigondo village 11 kilometers from Masaka city on Nnyendo- Villa Maria- Ssembabule tarmac road. It is found in Kalungu District which boarders Masaka city in the South, Gomba District in the North , Bukomansimbi District in the West and  Mpigi District in the East.

  1. Geographical setting: Area and Climate.

The Seminary sits on around 450 square kilometers of arable land which belongs to the Registered Trustees of Masaka Diocese. It enjoys a tropical climate modified by relief and nearness to Lake Victoria, with two main seasons of rainfall patterns and a dry spell between January to March as well as July to August.

The Seminary is administered through a combined effort of all key players in the Seminary administrative structure organized in a number of bodies. The top Seminary administration adheres to the proceedings from the meetings of these bodies and endeavors to address the challenges and implement the recommendations there from.

The present community is composed of 21 permanent staff members, 37 part-time staff members, 15 supportive staff, 40 casual laborers and 523 Seminarians. Bukalasa 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

DUTY ROTA FOR BUKALASA STAFF   2024

The staff

  1. Francis Sales Mugerwa: Rector: Overall Seminary Administration: Buildings, Compound, UNEB Exams, PAYE, Area Supervisor, Bsp Ssentongo Bdg, Perimeter fence, Kirumba Project, Sisters’ Convent.
  2. Henry Yagala Ssebwana: Vice- Rector Administration: Chairman Discipline, Grievance and Rewards Committee, Personnel Manager, Initiation Course, Staff Parlour, Newspapers, Manager main Coffee Project, Co-ordinator of Seminary Projects.-espeacially, Auditorium, Chaplain Y.C.S.
  3. Achilles Lukwago: Vice -Rector Finance: Bursar, Security, Sanitation, water pump, Generator, House work, Plantations, Gardens, Forests ( Nabyoledde, Lauli ne Ssemitego), NSSF, and Vehicles, Chairman land committee
  4. Fr Dr Charles K. Kabanda: General Spiritual Director: Chapel, Liturgy and Sacristy. Chaplain to Sisters, Ass Choir and Ass. Custodian of Bsp Ssentongo Building., Chairman Spirituality and Liturgy committee. Chaplain St Jude Movement
  5. Fr Julius Luswata: Assistant Bursar, Frs’ Refectory, Canteen, Busoba liaison person, Bogoya Plantation, Ass. Finance Committee Secretary, Mutukula Project, Chaplain of lay Teachers Chairman Building Committee. School magazine, Chaplain Nkobazambogo Movement.Form Master S.1 B
  6. Simon P. Kafeero: Vice Rector Academic.: D.O.S. Remedial classes, Resourceful persons, P.R.O, Ass. Area Supervisor, Entertainment, Science Laboratory, Nyendo Project, Wash rooms St. Anthony Wing, Chaplain of St Gonzaga team, Charismatic Renewal and Focolare movement
  7. Fr Vincent Ssentongo: Ass DOS I, Internal exams, Interviews, St Mbaaga team and Sacred Heart movement, Manager 2nd coffee project., Form Master S.3 B
  8. Paul Stephen Kafeero: Minister of Health (Head of Infirmary department), C/man Finance and Kasabbaale / Sikamidaali Committee, In- charge St Anthony wing, Ass. Interviews 1, Staff Television and internet, Form Master S.5, Chairman Health/ Sanitation committees, Chaplain of St Lwanga team
  9. Edward A.Muyimbwa: Chairman Academic Committee, Staff Secretary, Students’ Refectory, Cemetery, Kasabbale Project.: Form Master S.3B, Chaplain of St Mukasa team, St Joseph and Ssekiriba Movements.
  10. Joseph Namukangula: Director of Church music: Ass.Land committee, Band, Music Instruments, Caritas Bukalasa, and Chaplain Scouts.
  11. Augustine B. Kimbowa: Prefects affairs, Choir, Foreign Correspondence and Visitors, Ass. House work II, Sanitation, Chaplain Debating club and Legio Marie, Form Master S.2A
  12. Fr Eugene Kalyango: Chaplain to Sisters, Book store, Caritas Bukalasa, Ass..Spiritual Direcor, Ass. Infirmarian, Chaplain to St Peter Apostle Movement.
  13. Fr Joseph Katongole: Chem/Physics Laboratory. Time keeper, Assistant II D.O.S Supervisor of Intarnal Exams, Assistant I House work and Teams, Mutukula Project. Computer lab, Form Master S.6, Chaplain Divine Mercy movement
  14. Fr Augustine Ssembajjwe: Director Dairy farm, Sanatorium, Assistant entertainment, Bio-gas. In-charge places of convenience near Students’ Refectory, Chaplain Xaverian Movement.
  15. Patrick Onyango: Assistant Director Dairy Farm, Choir, M.D.D, Form Master S.2B Chaplain to Music club and to St Kizito team, Ass. Infirmarian II.
  16. Fr Pius Muwumuza. Clubs Co-ordinator, Games and Sports, Assistant Manager Coffee I project, Form Master S3A, Chaplain to Padre Pio, Kitchen Staff and Workers and St. Mulumba team, Ass .Visitors, Manager Bee- keeping project
  17. Fr Bukenya Innocent. Ass. Staff Secretary, In-charge – Visitors, Ass, Games and Sports, Library, Chaplain to Uganda Martyrs Guild, Custodian of Bsp Henry Ssentongo Building, Form-Master S.1 A, Seminary Diary.

DAUGTHERS OF MARY SISTERS.

            Currently they are four members at St Kizito Convent Bukalasa.

  1. Rev Sr Anna Germina Nakajugo – Sr Superior
  2. Rev Sr Cabrin Nakirijja- Nurse
  3. Rev Sr Mauricia Nakalanzi- Sacristy

4. Rev Sr Gerturde Nalwoga – Fathers dining + sick students.

8.6 Seminary committees. Membership ranges from 5 to 9, they usually sit at least once a term, except the finance and planning committee which sits from time to time as need arises. For the committee membership.

8.7 General staff:  This is composed of all teaching staff; resident and non-residents, who sit usually once a term, organized by office of the Dean of studies in the Biology Laboratory on a Thursday at 4.00 pm. Non teaching

8.8 Academic assembly. This is convened at least twice a year. It is organized by office of the Dean of studies together with the academic prefects, and all staff members and students are supposed to attend.

8.9 Prefects body. The prefects occasionally sit together and later meet the key offices concerned for updating and guidance. (Rector, Vice Rector, Bursar, Fr in Charge of prefects affairs)