Holy Cross Bugembe parish is located in Bugembe- Katende road, off Jinja – Malaba Highway and about 3Km from Jinja Town. The parish was started in 1990 by the congregation of Holy Cross. Prior to this, a woman called Nantenza, offered her premises where she could lead fellow Catholics in worship. With time, the number of worshipers increased and there was a need for a larger structure which could accommodate the growing numbers of Christians.
The move was to relocate to a class in the school however with time this also proved inadequate for the group of worshippers who were already gathering. Mrs. Nanteza a woman of faith, planted a seed that would later be watered and nurtured by the congregation of Holy Cross. She was a woman who dedicated herself to preaching the gospel through her actions. She held to her faith upto the last moment of her life. She is the founding mother of the Holy Cross Parish Bugembe and her mission in faith continues to the present and we celebrate her life and her service to the church.
While worship continued at school, the land where the parish currently sits was acquired and construction of the church began under the administration of a Holy Cross Priest Fr. Bob Hesse, who became the first parish priest of Holy Cross Parish Bugembe. The church has a sitting capacity of 700-800 people. Fr. Bob Hesse continued with evangelization of the locals and more people embraced the faith and became members of the church.
Over time, the parish witnessed rapid growth in terms of population and coverage and this led to opening of new sub centers. Later with the growth of Christianity and many more locals embracing the faith, other substations were opened in Buwekula and Kalungami. This was also in an effort to bring Christ closer to the people and also to ease the long journeys the locals would travel to go and worship at the parish. With the growth of the country and urbanization, there has emerged another need to get nearer to the Christians and this has led to the birth of a new sub center at Budumbuli with a proposal of having another church at Wairaka.
Fr. Bob Hesse served at the parish until when he rested with our maker. To God be the glory and may he find eternal repose with our God. Thankfully for all his service to the people of Bugembe.
After the service of the founding priest, Fr Bob Hesse, CSC, a number of several other Parish priests have served the parish as follows.
- Fr. Katende Fulgens CSC
- Fr. Tom Macdamot CSC
- Fr. Mugera Robert CSC
- Fr. Serepio Wamara CSC
- Fr. Vincent Mbusa CSC
- Fr. Oswald Nkyanungi Kakaire CSC (current)
Like many churches, Holy Cross Parish in Bugembe, Jinja, Uganda, is more than a place for Catholics to attend Mass on Sundays. It is an oasis of peace, hope, spiritual support and fellowship in a community of both employed and unemployed and all levels of people. The parish campus is a dynamic gathering place for students, small faith communities, children choirs and other community groups.
The Parish has several lay apostolic movements and these include. Married Couples, Women, Men, Youths, Legion of Mary, St. Jude, PMC, Charismatic Renewal, Purgatory, Sacred Heart of Jesus and “I thirst” for the needy in addition to BUCHAM for HIV/ AIDS programs.
As part of its outreach efforts, Holy Cross Parish runs the four primary schools where children can both play and learn; a HIV/AIDS program (BUCHAM) which entails a volunteer counseling and testing center; “I Thirst” program for the poor, elderly and needy, where the parish provides food and clothing for the needy.
Other institutions in the parish include Holy cross family ministries office which deals with family life in the parish, including home visits, seminars and workshops on marriage and formation programs for couples and spiritual counseling to parishioners.
If you are new and living around Bugembe and you are looking for a community to belong, look no more. You are going to find in this community of Holy Cross the peace you need and the group to match your desire.
We feel privileged to worship the Lord together and for the opportunities we have for serving you. We hope this online content from our parish will be helpful to you as you seek the help you need. God bless your stay with us.