Namirembe Cathedral is a site of activities of the protestant mission since 1889. Before this date, the mission station was at Macakay-Nateete (about 5 kms from this hill) from where they moved from to Namirembe on the land donated by the King of Buganda not far from his headquarters at Mengo. St. Paul’s Cathedral serves as both the Diocesan and Provincial Cathedral. Consecration and Enthronement of the Bishop of Namirembe and Archbishop of the Church of the Province of Uganda are held here. The building which is 136 years old is recognized as one of the most significant site in Africa.
It represents one of Kampala’s greatest attractions and and makes a significant contribution to the tourism development of Kampala city.
The current building was built through the difficult years of the first world war after three previous structures Namirembe Hill had been destroyed by nature natural decay and disaster.
The first Church on Namirembe Hill was built on the lower slopes in 1980 at a place called ‘Kitesa’ by the Church Missionary Society (CMS). It soon became apparent that the building was not large enough for the rapidly growing congregation.
A new design for a larger building on top of the Hill was done by a man called Nikodemu Sebwato, the chief of Buddu.
The new building, which became the first Cathedral was completed in July 1892 and the opening was graced by Kabaka Mwanga 11, King of Buganda. After 2 years, this splendid building constructed in the traditional ‘ganda’ style was blown down in a thunder storm due to rotting of the poles that supported the roof.
The third building was built of burnt bricks and sun dried for the walls. The roof was thatched and covered inside with some of the best reed work ever done in the country in a maaner which combined traditional ganda craft work with European gothic style. The foundation stone was laid. by Kabaka Daudi Chwa on 18th June 1901 and the buiding was consecreted on 21st June 1904 by Bishop Tucker. This much loved building was struck by lightening and destroyed by fire on 23rd September 1910.
The present Cathedral was was designed by Arthur Beresford Pite, a professor of Architecture in England, on a request by Bishop Alfred Tucker. The site preparation work included cutting 5 feet (1.5 meters) into the top of the hill took more than 5 years. The foundation was not laid more than 8 years until November 1915 and the building was completed in 19191. The consecration service took place on 13th September 1919 by Bishop Wills.
Special features at the Cathedral
- The Cathedral (i.e the Bishop’s seat ) is beaten the choir and the Altar. History has it tat it was made by the pupils of the kings school, buddo (present day Kings College Buddo).
- The splendid pulpit was mad at Kings School -Buddo
- The Lectern in Eagle design made from oak wood was donated by the government in memory of Ugandans who died in world war 1914-1918.
- There is a seat for each of the Bishops in the province
- The coats of arm of Kabaka’s government in the windows of the North transept was donated by the government and people of Uganda in memory of King George V of England.
- Windows of the south transept were donated by the government of Uganda in memory of King George V 1 of England. They Illustrate the sacrificial service of the Church emphasising the role of early missionaries.
- The Chapel in the east side of the south transept is named after Lady Mary Nakalanzi, wife to Bishop Dunstan Kasi Nsubuga, the first Ugandan Bishop of the Diocese.
- The window above the altar in the Hannington Chapel was donated in memory of Lady Irene, the Mother of Sir Edward Muteesa 11
- Hannington Chapel (in the north side) is named after Bishop Hannington, the first Anglican Bishop of Eastern Equatorial Africa who was murdered on 29th October 1885 in Kyando-Busoga district.
- The Chapel in the east side the North transept is named after Rev. Canon Apolo Kivebulaya, an outstanding Muganda evangelist who was instrumental in planting Churches in Toro and Boga-Zaire (present Democratic Republic of Congo).
- The Cathedral Organ, purchased from the Positive Organ company in 1922 and dedicated in November 1931, though aged, but it is still in operation today.
Who lies in the cemetery ?
Walk around the cemetery and you see the graves of historical personalities and several of the early missionaries laid to rest in the cathedral grounds
- Bishop Hannington
- Alexander Mackay
- Ernest Miller
- Sekibobo Ham Mukasa
- Dr Albert and Catherine Cook
- Canon Mudeka, first Uganda Canon at the Cathedral
- Bishop and Mrs Stuart
- Bishop Dunsta Kasi Nsubuga
- Bishop Misaeri Kauma
- Bishop Samuel Balagadde Sekadde