Christians across the globe, on Sunday, April 13, 2025, marked the beginning of the Holy week by celebrating Palm Sunday in commemoration of Jesus’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem.
At Our Lady of Rozary Narozaali Roman Catholic Parish in Masaka district, it turned out a triple celebration which involved Palm Sunday, Buganda King’s Ronald Mutebi birthday celebration and reflection of 125 years (Quasquicentennial) celebrations slated for October 18, 2025.
During the Holy Mass, Uganda’s Ambassador to Algeria and the Maghreb Region, John Chrysostom Alintuma Nsambu delivered the Shillings 20million out of the 40million he pledged towards the parish’s Quasquicentennial celebrations, leaving believers excited.
Nsambu was pleased to contribute saying he was raised and groomed in the same parish.
The Narozaali Parish Priest Rev. Fr. John Vianney Tamale commended Nsambu for the support.
“We thank God for your golden heart Your Excellence. Effective Monday, we shall resume works on the historic church which had stalled due to financial challenges.”
The parish still needs over shillings 300million for the Quasaquicentennial celebration before October to complete renovation of the church, a lead project of the jubilation.” Fr. Tamale noted.
About Narozaali Parish
Narozaari Parish was founded in 1900. At that time, Buganda and Western Uganda formed one diocese under the Missionaries of Africa (White Fathers) with Msgr Henry Streicher as its chief shepherd.
It is the sixteenth oldest parish and the fourth in Masaka Diocese after Villa Maria and Biikira, founded in 1892, and Kasozi-Kooki (1894). It was curved off from Villa Maria Parish.
Our Lady of the Holy Rosary was chosen to be the Patron Saint of the parish. The name ‘Narozaari’ came in following the nature of female Baganda names which normally starts with ‘Na’, (Na-Rosary).
So, Our Lady of the Rosary did not only become the patron saint of the parish, but also her name became the name of the village where the mission is located.
The first chapel dedicated to Mary was built on the top of the hill and was completed in 1903.
It had been constructed at the site where traditionally the ‘Nabukongo’ spirit (Omusambwa) was worshipped (venerated).
Due to the persistent beliefs in witchcraft and superstitions, Bishop Joseph Kiwanuka and Fr. Timoteo Ssemogerere later on added another patron saint, St. Achilles Kiwanuka who is known to have thrown away the ‘amulets’ when he became a Christian.
The present ongoing renovation work on the parish church was inaugurated by the late Bishop John Baptist Kaggwa in 2012 and expected to be completed by September 2025 as the Parish 125 years of existence.
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