How Rev.Fr. Ssekamanya has served pastoral work in the United States of America

Writes BRIAN MUGENYI

Mugenyijj@gmail.com

The thirteen years of priesthood journey to Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Ssekamanya remains memorial and fundamental to the life worth sharing to any one called to serve in the house of the Lord. Glory be to God.

For his powerful voice, Fr. Ssekamanya was called and braving the instructions of the holy spirit is what opened doors and paved ways for him to be in the United States of America where he is exercising his pastoral work with arms akimbo as you read.

The tales of grand and rhetorical voyage of Fr. Emmanuel Ssekamanya that saw him flying to the United States of America (USA) to serve pastoral work is one that is soothing ever since he started off his journey in Lwamaggwa parish at the age of twenty seven in 2012.

On a one blissful Sunday, Ssekamanya is remembered for his busy schedule as a bee in a holy mass whose teachings connected well with the fairytales of King solomon and his resilience towards life and patience to serve all works of God as he served his last mass for the Christians at Kaliro Sub Parish all proved his obedience to serve God.

This is how his fairytales and ability to interpret the scriptures as observed in the holy bible has helped him to transform the community and lives of youths and their talents within parishes: Kimanya, Lwamaggwa, Villa Maria Parish, and Kaliro parish and now in United States of America he has served before.

Born to Mr Benard Samula and Ms. Sarah Kimbugwe Ssekamanya residents of Kimanya in Masaka City, Fr. Ssekamanya talks well of his services in the United States of America and the gift of common sense and ability to work hard in the community as key pillars that has helped him become a formidable figure among those anointed to serve pastoral work in the world.

As he grew up into pastoral service this has helped him grow spiritually and mentally.

” As for Clarity; I heard the voice of the Lord saying whom Shall I send and who will go for us and when I was ordained in August 2012 it was my dream come true, ” he said.

At Villa Maria Parish were Fr. Ssekamanya served for the last five years and all his days and nights in effecting pastoral work to him remains a golden service.

Putting Luganda into writing first exhibited at Villa Maria Parish which began in 1891 as the first mission for the White -fathers to propagate faith.

For 132 years, Villa Maria Parish comprising of twelve Sub- Parish harbour the bodies of the late; Bishop Henry Stensera; Bishop Ddungu, Bishop Kaggwa John Baptist, Ssentongo Henry, Paul Kalanda and remains the first cathedral and serving for its development was Ssekamanya’s goal.

“The zeal to serve the community and ability to help youths with talents has propelled me this far and Villa Maria always remains a home,” he says.

All Christians within Villa Maria Parish speak volumes of kind words to his impactful services and his journey to the United States of America came as early as possible based on what the believers and the pastoral companion staff he worked with in the parish.

As for clarity; Ssekamanaya served three years in Lwamaggwa Parish; two years later served as youth chaplain for Kimanya Parish before joining Villa Maria Parish five years and later Kaliro Parish and listening to the holy spirit’s voice later paved his way into the United States of America.

“At Kaliro Sub Parish we were able to create development groups such as Friends of Kaliro and stationed a sanctuary carpet and this has helped us to serve well and very soon the new Church will be realised,” he adds.

Refurbishing the parish with the artistry works of the outgoing Parish priest Fr. Micheal Ssewakiryanga had all impacted the development of Lwamaggwa parish during Fr. Ssekamanya’s days.

The period of his service at Masaka Diocese to serve as the Diocesan Health Coordinator, Ssekamanya realised that working for the community is what drives him and gives him peace and total satisfaction.

It is the Baptism; Caticsm and serving the health sector which altogether helped him become impactful in the society.

“Whatever work the Bishop gives you it is a must do,” he says.

Ssekamanya attributes all his achievement to persons; Fr. Emmanuel Katabazi and Ms Josephine Kalema whom he worked with to push for his priesthood journey and calling into reality.

As for the beginning, Kimanya parish was a rural area where people had the money yet they had no zeal to invest in the parish development which the latter was against and he changed people’s mindset thus far.

In the Kaliro Parish, Kyamusansala suburbs, Ssekamanaya fought so hard to change the tide and ensure moral development amongst the youth and their parents thus far.

As for Clarity; Ssekamanya has impacted people to become religious leaders too; Sister Noeline Nabasumba and Brother Niwamanya Donato both at Banabikira Parish and Banakalori brothers retrospectively.

Ms. Betty Kiwanuka the leader of Friends of Kaliro Association which Fr. Ssekamanya says the latter helped them to secure chairs and bags of cement for building the church.

” When he went to Germany before he brought us gifts; eatables and flowers which reflects his love for people,” Betty, also the Head Teacher of St Francis Kitulikizi primary school with 700 pupils said.

According to Mr. Henry Ssempebwa; the Kaliro Sub Parish Priest, they hold over 500 Christians within and they developed under guidance of Fr. Ssekamanya.

Ms Mary Ntongo says Fr. Ssekamanya branded Kaliro Parish as ‘London’ and he ignited the baptism of her daughter Jenipher Nakuya at the age of twenty four.

However; Mr. Charles Ssewungu, also the leader at Kaliro Sub Parish says the latter fostered unity and educational programs for the youths.

“He introduced us with quality Microphones and Friends of Kaliro association led by Ms. Betty Kiwanuka that brings all community people together.

Ms. Agnes Bugembe also the Head of Married couples in Kaliro sub parish says Fr. Ssekamanya baptised his son Emmanuel Bugembe and the latter helped them to organise weddings of 25 couples and he has been a pillar and motivator of married women and their husbands within the Parish.

According to Mr. Joseph Ssekito also the Treasurer; Villa Maria Parish; Fr. Ssekamanya mobilised for the 376million project for building the Kaliro Sub Parish which is under progress.

“Back then we used to have 30 people attending the mass but today For. Ssekamanya’s teachings helped us to realise 300 Christians within Kaliro Sub Parish,” he says.