Thousands Honour Msgr Ngobya in Masaka.

The downpour did little to deter thousands of Catholic pilgrims who converged at Kitovu in Masaka City to commemorate the priestly ordination anniversary of Msgr Aloysius Ngobya—a revered cleric believed by many to have performed miracles during his lifetime.


Pilgrims from across the country thronged the site for one of two annual pilgrimages held in his honour, the other taking place on the anniversary of his death.


Though Ngobya is buried inside Our Lady of Sorrows Church at Kitovu, the large crowd prompted organisers to relocate the Mass to the more spacious Kitovu Sports Arena.


The main celebrant, Rev. Fr. John Bosco Kabalu, called on the faithful to remain spiritually vigilant, especially during Uganda’s current political season.


“Work hard, pray consistently, and support our priests through prayer,” Fr. Kabalu said. “Let us be cautious in this season of politics. If we are not vigilant, we risk losing our freedoms.”


He urged the congregation to engage more deeply with scripture—especially the Psalms—and to seek spiritual renewal through prayer and pilgrimages to holy sites.


The Mass was part of the Church’s ongoing effort to support the canonisation process of Msgr Ngobya.





The Vatican has already authorised the local Church to gather evidence of his life and miracles.


He currently holds the title Servant of God, a key step in the path toward sainthood.


Fr. Dr. Edward Ssekabanja, the coordinator of the canonisation cause, revealed that a dedicated team had collected testimonies from believers claiming miraculous encounters through Ngobya’s intercession.


“The findings have been submitted to the Vatican for review by a panel of experts,” Fr. Ssekabanja said. “What remains is the verification of a single, extraordinary miracle—one that cannot be explained by science or medicine.”


Despite the morning rain, pilgrims offered emotional testimonies about personal healings, family reconciliations, and other spiritual breakthroughs they attributed to Ngobya’s intercession.


Some called on the Church to increase its engagement in areas affected by local conflict such as Sembabule, while others prayed for peace globally, noting that foreign wars continue to impact Uganda’s economy and wellbeing.


As the Vatican continues its review, Uganda’s Catholic community remains hopeful that Msgr Aloysius Ngobya will one day be officially declared a saint.