The Vatican has recently approved an application presented to the Holy See by the Archbishop of Kampala, Dr. Cyprian Kizito Lwanga to elevate Munyonyo Church to the status of Minor Basilica. The official announcement is going to be made during solemn Holy Mass on Monday, 29th July 2019 in Munyonyo at 10 am by Cardinal Robert Sarah who heads the Congregation of the Sacraments and Divine Worship in the Vatican.
A minor basilica is a church granted special ecclesiastical privileges by the pope. The status is usually given to churches because of their antiquity, historical value, architectural worth and significance as centres of worship.
The first basilica title in Uganda was granted to Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Lodonga, Northern Uganda in 1961. During the visit of Pope John Paul II to Uganda in 1993, Namugongo Shrine was raised to the rank of Minor Basilica. Now the new shrine is Munyonyo will be the third with such a title in the country and 23rd on the continent of Africa.
The announcement comes at the time when Uganda prepares to host catholic bishops from the continent for the 50th Anniversary of their association “SECAM” from 20-29 July 2019 in Munyonyo, Kampala.