By CISA
JINJA, OCTOBER 23, 2025 (CISA)- The Catholic Diocese of Jinja is mourning the death of its shepherd, Rt Rev Charles Martin Wamika, who passed away on Wednesday, October 22, at the age of 72. The bishop, who had been battling prostate cancer and other illnesses, died at 4 p.m., according to a statement released by the Diocesan Chancellor, Fr.Gerald Muto.
His passing marks the end of a remarkable ecclesiastical journey that spanned over seven decades of priestly and episcopal service. He had been a priest for 46 years and a bishop for 31 years.
“It is with deep sorrow and Christian hope in the resurrection that the Diocese of Jinja announces the passing of our beloved shepherd, Rt. Rev. Charles Martin Wamika, Bishop of Jinja, who passed away today,” Fr. Muto said in an official notice to the clergy, religious, and lay faithful. He added that funeral arrangements would be communicated later and called on the faithful to pray for the repose of the bishop’s soul.
Born on August 12, 1953, in Namengo near Budaka Parish in the present Archdiocese of Tororo, Bishop Wamika was ordained a priest on September 22, 1979. He undertook his philosophical studies at St. Peter’s Claver College and St. Pius X Minor Seminary in Nagongera before completing theological training at Uganda Martyrs National Major Seminary, Alokolum, and Ggaba National Major Seminary, Kampala.
He was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Tororo Archdiocese on October 18, 1993, and consecrated on February 19, 1994. After 16 years of service as auxiliary bishop, Pope Benedict XVI appointed him Bishop of Jinja on March 2, 2010, succeeding the late Bishop Joseph Bernard Louis Willigers, MHM, who had led the diocese for over 40 years. Notably, Bishop Wamika became the first Ugandan and African to head the Diocese of Jinja, which had been under the pastoral leadership of the Mill Hill Missionaries since the late 19th century.
Renowned for his humility, dedication to peace, and advocacy for the poor, Bishop Wamika was a strong voice for unity and social development in eastern Uganda. Under his leadership, the diocese expanded its programs in healthcare, education, and community outreach, reinforcing the Church’s presence and impact in the region. During the 2023 Uganda Martyrs’ Day celebrations, he urged Catholics to emulate the faith and courage of the martyrs, calling for renewed commitment to Christian values amid modern challenges.
In a statement, the diocese described his death as a “profound loss to the Church and the wider community,” while expressing confidence in the Christian promise of eternal life. The faithful have been invited to keep Bishop Wamika in their prayers as the Church prepares to lay to rest a prelate remembered for his pastoral zeal, simplicity, and unwavering devotion to the Gospel.
