Namirembe Cathedral

Namirembe Cathedral: St. Paul’s Cathedral Namirembe

Namirembe Cathedral is the oldest cathedral in Uganda. It is located on one of the seven hills of Kampala where it was relocated from Kitesa after the very first one that which had been built in 1890 with a sitting capacity of 8oo but later on became small. This is where the first bishop of the Anglican Church Bishop Tucker had his first service in Uganda. The second church that was relocated to the hill was opened on July 31, 1892. This was the first cathedral church on the hill. Worshippers used to carry mats and stools for sitting on in the church because there were no pews. However, the new church was destroyed by a wild storm 2 years after it had been opened. This led to birth of a decision to build another one which would be the third church but the second on the hill. It was built with a seating capacity of 4,000 people. After a minimum of seven years, it was considered that a more modern church be built and this was built with a design based on the Temple Church in London but it was to have a thatched roof. The architect was Kristen Eskilsden Borup. The church was consecrated on September 23, 1910 but six years later, it was struck by lightning and it got burnt. After this bad occurrence, the Anglicans in Buganda requested for construction for a church building that is long lasting.  A British architect known as Arthur Beresford Pite was given the architectural work to build the fourth cathedral whose construction started in 1915 and the church was opened from prayers I 1919.

Namirembe Cathedral is an Anglican Cathedral serving as the provincial cathedral for Church of Uganda, is the diocesan cathedral for Namirembe diocese which was the first diocese to be founded in the province of Church of Uganda. The diocese is headed by Rt. Reverend Wilberforce Kityo Luwalira and other 103 clergies. Therefore this is the right place for anyone in who would like to visit the headquarters of the Church of Uganda.

St. Paul’s Cathedral Namirembe is located on Namirembe hill in Lubaga Division just about 2 kilometers from the Kampala town which is the capital of Uganda.  It has an amazingly unique architecture and a beautiful dome on top of it. A lot of people from different parts of Kampala go to this church for Sunday services and other services held in the course of the week. Sunday service schedules are 06:45am, 08:30am and 10:00am. It has a great choir that leads powerful and interesting praises and worships. The little ones have a church where they are taught about Christianity.

Namirembe Cathedral is one of the most impressive tourist attractions where you can learn a lot about the history of Christianity in Uganda and the history of the church itself. The building itself is beautiful and you surely need to see how “old is gold” having been maintained for about 100 years with its beauty. Namirembe hill also offers spectacular views of the surrounding including Kampala town.

After your wildlife safari, gorilla trekking safari, birding safari, Adventure in the wild safaris is always pleased to take you around such beautiful religious and historic sites like St. Paul’s Cathedral Namirembe and other religious areas like Rubaga cathedral, Namugongo Martyrs Shrine, Kibuli mosque, Uganda National Mosque at Old Kampala. A Kampala city tour also takes you to cultural sites, museums, craft shops and markets among others.