By Laudato Voices | A Tribute to Bishop Charles Martin Wamika | October 28, 2025
When we look back at the growth and work of the Laudato Youth Initiative within the Diocese of Jinja, one truth shines above all: our journey of faith-inspired environmental action was nurtured and blessed by the pastoral heart of our bishop Charles Martin Wamika Omara Adyeeri who did not stop at teaching us the faith; he taught us to live our faith, to make it visible in the ways we relate to one another, those in need\elderly, and to the natural world that God has entrusted to our care. His leadership transformed ecological awareness into a lived expression of Christian discipleship. Whenever he visited at Holy Cross Lake View S.S.S he always planted a tree with the Laudato Si Club members and the school community. We now can be proud to say there is a “Bishop Martin Wamika Memorial Tree” at Holy Cross Lake View.S.S.S
A Shepherd Who Listened and Encouraged
From the very beginning, Bishop Wamika recognized the potential of young people to actively participate the Church programs while responding to the cry of the Earth and the cry of the poor. At PCJ he always encouraged our young people to live by faith and act with courage. When the Laudato Si’ Club of Holy Cross Lake View was newly formed, he was the first Bishop Wamika to lsiten to their presentation during a school event and encouraged them to carry on the mission of caring for creation and witness to Laudato Si among young people but also engage with the niebouring communities, something we took seriously.
He often reminded us that “faith without action is incomplete,” urging us to translate the Gospel message into concrete acts of care for creation and a moral way of living our lives as young people. His words inspired our club’s tree-planting campaigns, during which hundreds of indigenous trees and fruit trees were planted on the school grounds and surrounding communities, an act that continues to bear both spiritual and ecological fruit with the Laudato Youth Initiative activities at Holy Cross Lake View S.S.S.
Hope for the Laudato Si’ Green Festival in Jinja
Among his many contributions, Bishop Wamika’s support for the Laudato Si’ and through the diocese allowing us to conduct the Laudato Si Green Festival remains unforgettable. What began as a modest school-based event has grown into a regional-wide celebration of environmental stewardship, education, and faith in action. Each year, the festival brings together schools, stake holders, parishioners, and communities to pray for a green mass, listen to voices of young people as pratagonists of creation and see them showcase their projects in waste reduction, organic gardening, and renewable energy embodying the Pope’s call to ecological conversion. In his homily, Fr. Gerald Muto the Diocesan Chancellor challenged Ugandans especially the youth to take personal responsibility in protecting the environment.
Bishop Wamika’s support for such activitiesies through affirmations and encouragement for these gatherings was more than ceremonial; it was pastoral and deeply personal. He would walk among the students looking at their work, blessing them and their projects or seedlings, listening to their hopes, and affirming their role as “guardians of creation.” His encouragement gave our initiative legitimacy and moral strength. In the Photo below he visited the students green exibition innovation table to check on the students projects such and more personal pastrol tourches have meant much in the lives of our young people. The Humor which sometimes culmunated in singing made his very approachable and very lovable among both the young and old people.
A Legacy Rooted in Creation and care for those in need
Even though many will tell you his pastrol legacy was rooted in loving God, and Christian Unity engraved in his motto “May all be One” Bishop Wamika also taught us that caring for creation is not an optional activity, it is a core expression of our Catholic faith and it a value worth embracing. Its no surprise Jinja was the first in Uganda to celebrate the Care for Creation Mass at the Laudato Si Green Festival on July 19th 2025 shortly after Pope Leo XIV had promulgated and celebrated one in Rome on 9th July 2025. For this and many other reasons we now see it becoming a model for integrating Laudato Si’ principles into youth formation, institutions, parish catechesis, and community outreach as desired by the Mother Church.
Today, as our Laudato Si Clubs continue to grow across schools, universities, parishes and diocese in Uganda, we carry forward his vision: a Church where ecological care flows naturally from Eucharistic love, and where young people see faith as a force for healing the planet and united not so different from our motto “United for climate Action”. The whole world witnessed “During his homily at at the Uganda Martyrs Day he talked to the youth saying” Do small things in a unique way …the youth today you seem more pre occupied by mordern trends, phones, social media etc….how about creating a website www.empiisaenungi.com“. This is a legacy Laudato Youth will reflect deeply in their club activities for Jinja diocese to uphold the vision of a shepherd who was a father, parent, mentor, spiritual leader, role model and most importantly shpeherd to all. We saw him play Baptise, confirm, and commission football games. We cant say it all for a beloved person like him.
Gratitude
Our Lord Bishop Charles Martin Wamika Omara Adyeeri, we remain profoundly grateful for the gift of your faith, your mentorship and love for young people, your faith in us, and your prophetic example. You reminded us that every act of kindness, moral character and innovation is a blessing to the whole community and so planting a tree, cleaning our homes and communities, or teaching a child to care for the environment is an act of worship. You even emphasised “With Prayers there are no Jokes” .. Indeed all young people need to hear this message in your own words we shall wither if we detarch from the vein .. Christ the Lord. As we continue our mission, we do so in your spirit with hands ready to serve, hearts open to creation, and faith anchored in God’s enduring goodness inspired by your example.
May your legacy continue to inspire all of us to listen, learn, and act for our common home, just as you taught us. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8).
Through your pure love for creation and your people, Bishop Wamika, we have seen a glimpse of God’s beauty reflected in you. May your Soul Rest in Peace
Our Commitment
We shall deeply reflect on how to implement your WWW . EMPIISA ENUNGI .COM initiative attributed to your commitment to shaping moral values among young people, inspired by the faith and life of the Uganda Martyrs. The seed of hope for integral ecology. As a ministry dedicated to St. Adolf Mukasa Ludigo, Patron of Farmers and Herdsmen, your words have reawakened our dreams and strengthened our resolve to care for creation and community.
