Laudato Voices | Bishop Charles Martin Wamika’s first death anniversary | Oct 22, 20
The pastoral genius legacy of Bishop Charles Martin Wamika is best understood from his down to earth pastoral ministry as science teacher, lover of nature, lover of mother Mary, promoter of justice, pastor to the poor, the youth and Family. He he was appointed bishop by Pope John Paul II. He served as Auxiliary Bishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Tororo. On 2nd March 2010, Pope Benedict XVI transferred him to Jinja as the local Ordinary to succeed Bishop Joseph Willigers. He served his people with compassion, dedication, and fearless faith, upholding the mission of Christ and nurturing the a local, resilient, church that would work for its sustainability and prepare more seminarians and religious for future mission in the diocese, believing the local church must focus on building itself. He built both the spiritual and physical church and cared for the welfare of the young people.
Bishop Charles and the Young people.
He encouraged young people to believe in themselves. He promoted local, diverse talent; for instance, he supported musician Eddy Kenzo, who rose from the streets of Kampala to fame with the ghetto kids who won America’s Got Talent. He told young people they could succeed in any field as long as they were disciplined and consistent. He loved Kenzo’s songs so much that he could sing along with young people during his gatherings with the youth; for instance, at the YCS annual gatherings at PCJ, where he spent a day with young people, he even danced and sang the song “Maria Roza” with them. To him, it was a message of penance, forgiveness, and humility. A young man pleading with his wife to forgive him for his unbecoming behavior. He would tell young people intending to marry to have a forgiving heart.
He believed that no child was stupid. Those that the world tagged stupid were unique. He gave Albert Einstein as an example: teachers thought he was a slow learner, but he is now celebrated as a physicist best known for developing the theory of relativity. Einstein also made important contributions to quantum theory, and St. Vianney, now patron of priests. He was passionate about transforming youth. Every moment with them was impactful.
Faith of Bishop Charles Martin Wamika
His faith was a lived testimony of love and reverence to the Uganda Martyrs, summarised in his slogan: “Awali okwikiriza! Wazira muzaano! Where there is faith! There is no joke!” While the world saw an energetic pastor leading his faithful in a spiritual pilgrimage, Bishop Charles Martin Wamika was walking a journey of faith guided by courage, as did Master Jesus Christ. He walked with over 5,000 to 6,000 foot pilgrims from the Jinja Catholic Diocese to the Namugongo Martyrs Shrine for the 2023 Uganda Martyrs Day, which registered the highest number of pilgrims in history, with a call on believers in Christ to emulate Saint Charles Lwanga and Companions whose bloodshed turned into seeds of faith in Uganda. In his homily, he concluded by requesting pilgrims to ask God to increase their faith. “Faith is the life-blood of heaven and the victory of this world and eternal life,” Bishop Wamika told pilgrims.
The Story of Bishop Martin’s Uganda Martyrs Hospital: A Witness of Hope in Christ the Healer
Shortly after Uganda Martyrs Day Namugongo, he reported to hospital, and it was said that his life then changed to a life between hospital and work; even when he was sick, many didn’t see that on his face he would face the world with a beam of a smile, a close relative narrated.
Bishop Charles Martin Wamika went to the Lord on 22/Oct/2025. His life was to many a testament to faith. He preached the Word, invited many to the faith, built both the spiritual and physical church, encouraged local sustainability in the church, celebrated his gift of faith with the church and the world on Uganda Martyrs Day on June 3, 2023, and at its conclusion spearheaded the building of the Uganda Martyrs Hospital that would offer spiritual accompaniment and medical treatment. On his first death anniversary, Uganda Martyrs Hospital Jinia opens with a slogan. We treat and God Heals,” with wards named after the Uganda Martyrs Charles Lwanga and companions.
Bishop Charles Martin’s death anniversary is a legacy of resilience, witness, faith, and hope.
Oct 22, 2026, the dream Uganda Martyrs Hospital, the vision of Bishop Charles Martin Wamika, was opened. Named after the Uganda Martyrs and built on the belief that Christ is the healer, it is a place where the people he loved and ministered to for years will go to experience Christ’s love, be treated with compassion and respect, and be seen as deserving loving care, as did Christ Himself, who walked with the poor and afflicted and healed many of them. He too loved the humble.
Love for the poor and sick at his heart and he desired to see them happy
The family of the Bishop Speaks out at the anniversary
When we look at the Uganda Martyrs Hospital, opened on Oct 22, 2026, a project he began with so much love, prayer, and sacrifice after the Uganda Martyrs Celebration in 2023, we see the true definition of Catholic faith, said Carolin, a family member, talking to the Congregation at the opening. Bishop Wamika taught us that Fr. Loudel Mapeera didn’t sit exams for the young men who had barely been catechised. He ran to Tanganyika and left the young Catholics on their own. The young men kept the faith and even accepted to die for it! The young men later became the martyrs!
Our consolation as a family is this: Bishop died on the feast day of St. John Paul II, the very Pope who appointed him Bishop 32 years ago! He died in the month of the Most Holy Rosary, the month of Mother Mary whom he loved so dearly! We therefore believe that St. John Paul II himself, who called him to the episcopate, witnessed his departure from the earthly world on his own feast day, and will one day usher him to where he is in heaven. She added
…..We also deeply appreciate the Laudato Youth Initiative for the website www.empiisaenugi.com, created in Bishop Charles’ memory. A beautiful website, inspired by his powerful 2023 homily at Namugongo. We thank Br. Adolf CSC for his thoughtfulness in honoring the legacy of the late Bishop. This is true evangelization, keeping his voice alive through the digital world. May God bless this initiative as young people learn good morals from it. Said Caroline, the niece of the late bishop, while addressing the Congregation.
Origin of the WWW.EMPIISA ENUNGI.COM and the Uganda Martyrs
Among the many initiatives promoted by Bishop Charles Martin Wamika was care for young people, which he promoted as a scientist and made clear during his homily on Uganda Martyrs Day when he said: “The youth of today, you seem more affected by modern life: smartphone- internet, empiisa enungi (good manners) seem to have been thrown overboard. The majority of the Uganda Martyrs were youth like you. When you grow old, how about creating a website? “WWW.EMPIISA ENUNGI.COM”. Dear pilgrims, look around and take note when you get back home, what is it that you will share about the Martyrs? May the Lord increase your faith so that you get whatever you asked for today.
www.empisaenugi.com was launched on July 11, 2026, at the Laudato Si Green Festival at Holy Cross Lake View, Wanyange Jinja, in memory of Bishop Charles Martin Wamika.
Why this mattered for the Laudato Youth Initiative
The Laudato Youth Initiative runs Laudato Si Clubs in schools, Universities, Parishes, dioceses, and Communities. Our work is inspired by the ecological legacy of the Uganda Martyrs, and by St. Adolf Mukasa Ludigho, patron Saint of herdsmen and Farmers. We understand our ecological legacy through our faith and culture: “The Uganda Martyrs, the Seed of Faith and Practitioners of Integral Ecology,” whose work and life exemplify the Martyr Ecology Relationship, inspire our African Interpretation of Laudato Si. They teach us to embrace integral ecology as one way to show reverence for the Creator. The Uganda Martyrs cared for creation; each was attached to a creature they valued and protected. They also blended with our cultures that promoted totems as a way to protect creation. Bishop Martin was a member of the Munabuka (Bagwere) clan, known as Baisekisige in Busoga and Nakisinge in Buganda;; their totem is a bird called the Brown Finch Bird.
Totems and Care for the Environment – A Cultural Preservation
In Uganda, totems, also known as “Omuziro or Emiziro,” function as an ancient conservation model. Each clan is uniquely identified by a primary totem and a secondary totem, which can be an animal, plant, bird, insect, or aquatic species. Centuries before modern national parks or government rangers were established, Uganda’s indigenous kingdoms and tribes used a sophisticated clan-based system that turned everyday citizens into lifelong guardians of the environment. The Uganda Martyrs were part of this philosophy, and each of them protected an animal, plant, bird, insect, or aquatic species. This is the conservation wisdom Laudato youth are seeking to revive by living out the message of Laudato Si, grounded in our communal African Ubuntu philosophy of community and unity.
Science, Technology and his ecological legacy
The Bishop was a scientist who desired to see young people use science to solve societal challenges. Our Laudato Si Club of Holy Cross Lake View was close to him, and he often planted trees with them whenever he visited the school. In this way, the Club will also promote his ecological passion, since our work is entirely in care for creation. Many trees have already been planted in his memory, and it will continue.
Legacy website WWW.EMPIISA ENUNGI.COM
Developed in response to Bishop Wamika’s impactful 2023 Uganda Martyrs Day homily at Namugongo, the website serves as a practical resource to encourage young people to follow the Uganda Martyrs’ example. Since most of the martyrs were young, the site will help us teach responsible internet use, innovation, and culture, as the bishop wanted to see youth who flourish and value talents as gifts from God, emulating the Uganda Martyrs, who died defending their faith, values, and culture. The website aims to reach young people and nurture these values in their hearts.
The Future Bishop Martin Charles Wamika envisioned is now.
Marking the 135th anniversary of Rerum Novarum, Pope Leo XIV released his first encyclical, entitled ‘Magnifica humanitas: On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence.’ He calls for the safeguarding of humanity, the promotion of truth, the dignity of work, social justice, and peace. The encyclical released on May 25, 2026, Pope Leo XIV took up the legacy of his predecessor, Pope Francis, writing a social encyclical which addresses one of the principal challenges of the contemporary age: Pope Francis wrote “Laudato Si” to call all people of good will to unite and care for the care of our Common home. And now Pope Leo XIV has written ‘Magnifica humanitas’ on artificial intelligence, encouraging us to use technology for good.
It connects with Bishop Charles Martin Wamika’s call.
In 2023, Bishop Martin emphasized the responsible use of technology among Uganda’s majority youth population. Today, the church is boldly inviting us to rethink measures to guide young people in using technology,, while also calling on the world to consider moral and ethical considerations in using it wisely as a tool that needs to be regulated. For us as youth in Uganda, we are grateful for the bishop’s prophetic message to young people, which is more relevant than ever before not only here in Uganda but also globally.
What did the bishop actually say
Technology is a valuable tool, but we must use it wisely. Social media should not replace family values or time together. We are responsible for teaching these principles to young people and, importantly, modeling them in our own lives. This is one of the challenges we embrace from the late Bishop Charles Martin Wamika. As we honor his legacy through this program, we remain mindful of his guidance.
As a faith-inspired initiative, this program serves as a form of evangelization. We will use digital media to preserve his voice and develop a practical program for all our Laudato Si’ clubs. Through these clubs, we will teach positive values and promote the responsible use of technology, serving as digital ambassadors for African stories and value systems entrusted to us by a spiritual leader whose legacy continues to guide us. We pray this program will help many young people develop strong values and contribute to building a sustainable future and a community of justice and peace.
About Bishop Charles Martin Wamika’s impact of his ministry in the Diocese of Jinja
As Bishop of Jinja, Rt Reverend Charles Martin Wamika carried the mantle with grace and humility. He embraced his role with tireless energy, focusing on community upliftment, spiritual growth, and education as a “catalyst for transformation”. He often reminded his flock of the power of faith and the importance of selfless service, challenging them to live out the gospel in their daily lives following the example of the Uganda Martyrs, especially St Mathias Mulumba and St Gonzaga Gonza. During his tenure, he oversaw the diocese’s growth to 50 parishes, bringing sacramental services closer to the people of God and nurturing the faith of thousands in the Busoga sub-region. He was intentional about vocation animation, which increased the number of local priests and religious from the Busoga region. He contributed to the Africanization of the Diocese by emphasizing local contributions to the Church’s mission. He initiated the construction of St Gonzaga Minor Seminary, Iganga, and Uganda Martyrs Hospital, Jinja. He cared about children’s formation in the faith and worked hard to promote their full participation in the life of the Diocese through the Pontifical Missionary Childhood. He cared about the strength of family life, and he made the renewal of marriage vows by couples a signature rite at almost every public function he presided over in parishes. As a professional teacher, he loved the youth and made an effort to speak to them in a style that connected with them and drew them closer to the Church.
