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Christ the King Choirs Association

The Choirs at Christ the King continue playing an integral part in the liturgy. We currently have seven choirs that come together under their umbrella Association of Christ the King Church Choirs’ Association.  Prior to the formation of Christ the King Church Choirs’ Association on 29th January 1988, choir members were known to sing and devote time to attend their respective choir rehearsals on different scheduled days of the week in preparation primarily for their respective Sunday Masses, and on some occasions in preparation for Easter Concerts and Christmas Carols.

The Parish Choirs at the time were:

  • Yoanna Maria Muzeeyi Choir, animating the 7:00 a.m. Luganda Mass
  • Joseph Missionary Choir, animating the 8:00 a.m. English Mass
  • Evangelical Choir, animating the 9:00 a.m. Luganda Mass.
  • Christ the King Church Choir, animating the 10:00 a.m. English;
  • Good News Choir; animating the 11:15 a.m. English Mass.

At the time Sunday Masses could end as early as 1:00 p.m.

Since different choirs held rehearsals on different weekdays and given that they animated at different Mass times on Sundays, there was hardly any time for members of different choirs to affiliate to know each other for purposes of working together to facilitate and support parish liturgical and non-liturgical activities. 

It was not long after that, that some leaders in the different choirs developed an idea of forming Christ the King Church Choirs’ Association with the following objectives:

  • To embrace all interests of Christ the King Catholic Church Choirs;
  • To assist and advise wherever any problems arise in the respective choirs;
  • To manage the Association’s funds and related matters;
  • To enable all Choirs, to present their problems or suggestions as one group of the Liturgical/Catechetical Sub-committee of Christ the King Catholic Church Parish Council;
  • To give guidance and help to arrange and administer different Choirs’ programs respectively and collectively;
  • To educate the Choir members; and
  • To encourage cooperation among Choirs.

I would wish to give credit and applause to the following persons (in this case ‘founder members) who came up with the idea of forming Christ the King Church Choirs’ Association:

  • Fr. Caesar Mutyaba, Parish Priest, Christ the King Parish, Kampala
  • Fr. Byekwaso Henry, Curate
  • Fr. Emmanuel Katongole, Curate
  • Kasozi Deo Walukaali, Good News Choir
  • Margaret Ndyabahiika, St. Joseph Missionary Choir
  • Mildred Warugaba Ssentoogo, Christ the King Church Choir
  • Ssebugwaawo Frederick, Christ the King Church Choir
  • Ssebutinde George, Good News Choir
  • Mberenge Patrick Francis, Christ the King Church Choir
  • Mukisa Michael, Evangelical Choir

Since the formation of Christ, the King Church Choirs’ Association, traditional choirs at the Parish enjoyed warm and joint cordial relationships; and actively participated in different activities at the parish, Deanery (Christ the King Deanery), Kampala Archdiocese, and Inter-Diocesan level to promote and strengthen the Christ the King Catholic Parish’s image.  These activities included but were not limited to the following:

  • Animated at masses to commemorate Christ the King Parish Day (annual celebrations);
  • Animated Mass at Nsambya during the Visit of Pope St. John Paul II in 1993.
  • Animated High Mass at Priestly Ordination Ceremonies at Sacred Heart Lubaga Cathedral, 1994 and 1997;
  • Animated at masses to commemorate Christ the King Deanery Day Celebrations at Mapeera-Nnabulagala Parish, 1994, 1998 and 2003, and at Mengo Kisenyi Parish, 2008 and 2013.
  • Participated in church projects like at Nnabbaale Farm in Mukono District, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999 and 2000.
  • Participated in Catholic Church Music Festivals and Competitions at Deanery, Archdiocese and Inter-diocesan levels at the following venues:

Gayaza Parish (Christ the King Deanery) in 1992 and 1994

Nakulabye Parish (Christ the King Deanery) in 1999

Kiyinda Mityana Cathedral (Inter-diocesan) in 1999

Jinja Karoli Parish (Christ the King Deanery) in 2001

Pope Paul Memorial Community Centre, Ndeeba (Kampala Archdiocese) in 1992, 1994, 1999, 2001, 2003 and 2018.

Christ the King Parish, (Christ the King Deanery) in 2003.

Namugongo Martyrs Shrine (Inter-diocesan) in 2003.

Nsambya Parish (Kampala Vicariate) in 2018.

  • Animated at High Mass in commemoration of Kampala Archdiocesan Day Celebrations in 2010.
  • Presented various songs at a music festival in honour of Rev. Fr. Dr. James Kabuye’s compositions, National Theatre under the Directorship of Mr. Mukisa Michael and Mr. Wamala Vincent Ssempigga in 1994.
  • Presented Easter Songs at Christ the King Church, Sheraton Kampala Hotel, and Lubaga Cathedral in 1997.
  • Presented Easter Songs at Christ the King Church in 1999 and 2001.
  • Recorded a CD (sacred hymns and songs) at St. Mbaaga’s Major Seminary, Ggaba in
  • Animated at the 2000 Jubilee Celebrations High Mass led by the Bishop of Masaka Diocese, His Grace Bishop Adrian K. Ddungu in 2000.
  • Animated at High Mass to commemorate Christ the King Platinum Jubilee Celebrations, led by the Archbishop of Kampala Archdiocese, Cyprian Kizito Lwanga,
  • Animated at the Christ the King Farewell Mass for the then-Vicar General of Kampala Archdiocese, Msgr. Paul Ssemogerere, at Kasenyi Beach, upon his elevation as Bishop of Kasana Luweero Diocese, 2007 (he is now the Archbishop of Kampala Archdiocese).
  • Led recitation of the Rosary during May and October every year (as scheduled by the Parish Office).
  • Led observance of the Holy Hour on Thursdays (as scheduled by the Parish Office)

Sadly, in 1994 the Association suffered a major setback when the services of the Good News Choir at the Parish were terminated.  To keep the 11.15 a.m. Sunday mass afloat, the parish administration requested the St. Joseph Missionary Choir to take the mantle of animating the 11:15 a.m. mass. 

For a period of two years till 1996 before the Franciscan Choir was born, the St. Joseph Missionary Choir with a humble heart, zeal and determination animated at both the 8:00 a.m. and the 11:15 a.m. Sunday mass; and for this gesture, the parish administration was grateful for the gesture. 

Replacing the Good News Choir, the Franciscan Choir was born in 1996 and has since been in the service of Christ the King Parish animating the 11:15 a.m. mass.

In 1994, Christ the King Parish had its very first Sunday evening mass starting at 5.00 p.m. animated by three gentlemen i.e. Mr. Peter Kiyingi Bbosa and Mr. Birungi Patrick both of Evangelical Choir and Mr. Ssemakula Rogers, now Chairman, Christ the King Parish Council.  Later that year, the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Worship Team took on the task of animating the Sunday evening mass.  Prior to that evening masses were being held in the church; they were in the Crypt Hall and later Cardinal Wamala Hall.

Choirs from the Indian Goan Community and the Filipino Community animated the Saturday evening masses at 6:00 p.m.  The choirs of these two communities were also considered members of Christ the King Choirs Association. Currently, this mass is being animated by Catholic Centenary Memorial Choir CACEMCHO who again animate the 7 O’clock Mass every Sunday.

The effects of COVID-19 and the death of Mrs. Salome Walusimbi made it impossible for St. Yoanna Maria Muzeeyi Choir to continue serving and it was voluntarily dissolved in 2021.

Currently, the Parish Choirs are:

  1. Catholic Centenary Memorial Choir (CACEMCHO), animating the 7.00 a.m. Luganda Mass
  2. Joseph Missionary Choir, animating the 8:00 a.m. English Mass
  3. Evangelical Choir, animating the 9:00 a.m. Luganda Mass.
  4. Christ the King Church Choir, animating the 10:00 a.m. English;
  5. Franciscan Choir; animating the 11:15 a.m. English Mass.
  6. The Youth Choir, animating the 12 p.m. English Mass
  7. The Worship Team Choir, animating the 5 p.m. English Mass.

Alex Arinaitwe

Chairman, Christ the King Church Choirs’ Association.