By Uganda holds a special place in the annals of Catholicism, being the first sub-Saharan African country ever visited by a reigning Pope. In total, three Popes have made historic pilgrimages to the East African nation each visit marking not only a spiritual milestone for the faithful but also a reflection of Uganda’s political and social landscape at the time.
These landmark visits have shaped Uganda’s Catholic identity, strengthened its ties with the Vatican, and echoed the legacy of the Uganda Martyrs 23 Catholic and Anglican converts who were executed for their faith between 1885 and 1887 under the reign of King Mwanga II.
Here is a look at the three papal visits that have placed Uganda firmly on the global Catholic map.
- Pope Paul VI — July 31 to August 2, 1969
President: Milton Obote (First Term)
Pope Paul VI became the first reigning Pontiff to set foot on African soil when he visited Uganda in 1969. His arrival in Kampala was historic not only for the country but for the entire continent, signaling the Catholic Church’s commitment to engaging with the Global South during the post-colonial period.
He came primarily to canonize the Uganda Martyrs making Uganda the spiritual heart of African Catholicism. The canonization had taken place earlier, in 1964, in Rome, but the Pope’s pilgrimage to the Namugongo Martyrs Shrine turned the site into a major religious landmark.
Paul VI was welcomed by then-President Dr. Apollo Milton Obote and celebrated Mass at Kololo Independence Grounds. His message emphasized African identity and self-determination, urging local churches to develop indigenous leadership and theology.
- Pope John Paul II — February 5–10, 1993
President: Yoweri Kaguta Museveni
The second papal visit came over two decades later, under a different political and social atmosphere. Pope John Paul II’s six-day visit in 1993 came at a time when Uganda was emerging from years of political turmoil and civil strife.
Hosted by President Yoweri Museveni, who had been in power since 1986, the visit was marked by a message of peace, reconciliation, and rebuilding. The Pope visited Namugongo, Gulu, Hoima, and other parts of the country, urging national unity and respect for human dignity.
John Paul II also engaged directly with the youth, Catholic institutions, and political leaders, encouraging Uganda to heal and progress through dialogue and moral leadership. His visit left a lasting impact on the Church’s role in Uganda’s post-conflict reconstruction.
3. Pope Francis — November 27–29, 2015
President: Yoweri Kaguta Museveni
The most recent papal visit came during Pope Francis’ tour of Africa, which also included stops in Kenya and the Central African Republic. His three-day visit to Uganda in 2015 coincided with the 50th anniversary of the canonization of the Uganda Martyrs.
Received once again by President Museveni, Pope Francis visited Namugongo, where he led a Mass attended by hundreds of thousands of pilgrims. He praised the courage of the martyrs and called on Ugandans—especially the youth—to emulate their faith and service.
The Pope also visited the Munyonyo Martyrs Shrine and met with catechists, clergy, and vulnerable children, using his platform to speak against corruption, tribalism, and economic inequality. His visit was widely seen as a morale boost for Uganda’s religious communities and a global endorsement of the nation’s spiritual significance.
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From Obote to Museveni, each Ugandan president has witnessed a piece of history as Popes brought with them not just blessings, but also urgent messages of justice, peace, and hope.
Now, with the election of Pope Leo XIV the first Augustinian Pope and the second Pontiff from the Americas Uganda’s enduring ties to the Vatican are expected to deepen further. Pope Leo XIV, an American with missionary roots in Latin America, shares a pastoral legacy that echoes the spirit of previous papal visitors to Uganda.
His background as a missionary in Peru and his elevation from Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops to the Bishop of Rome signals a papacy rooted in service, humility, and inclusion qualities that resonate deeply with the Ugandan Church and its people.
As Catholics in Uganda and across Africa reflect on the historical visits of Paul VI, John Paul II, and Francis, they now look forward with renewed hope to a pontificate that continues to value the global south not only as a mission field but as a vital heart of the Church itself.
