The Masaka Catholic Diocese has broken its silence regarding the disappearance of Rev. Fr. Deusdedit Ssekabira of Bumagi Parish, who was allegedly kidnapped on December 3, 2025, from his office in Katwe, Masaka City.
In a statement dated December 13, Bishop Severus Jjumba revealed that Fr. Ssekabira was abducted around 1:00 p.m. by men in army uniforms, traveling in a van commonly referred to as a “drone,” at Uplift Primary School, where he serves as director.
“Rev. Fr. Deusdedit Ssekabira, a priest of Masaka Diocese and Curate at Bumagi Parish, was kidnapped by men in Uganda Army uniform, with a drone, on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at 1:00 p.m., at his office as Director of Uplift Primary School,” the statement read in part.
Bishop Jjumba addressed all Christ’s Faithful of Masaka Diocese and people of good will, noting that efforts to locate Fr. Ssekabira have so far been unsuccessful, causing deep sorrow for both the Church and his family.
“It is a grievous wound inflicted on Masaka Diocese, the entire Catholic Church, and Fr. Ssekabira’s family,” he said.
In response to the abduction, on December 8, the bishop directed all priests of Masaka Diocese to conduct a three-day Rosary Triduum, focusing on the Sorrowful Mysteries, praying for Fr. Ssekabira, the Church, and the nation.
On December 13, he extended the call to all diocesan faithful, urging communities, parishes, and households to join in prayer.
Bishop Jjumba issued the statement from Our Lady of Sorrows, Kitovu Cathedral—a site linked to the 1976 disappearance of Msgr. Clement Mukasa, who was never found.
Masaka diocesan lawyer, Alexander Lule, said the diocese has now decided to take legal action after repeated efforts to trace Fr. Ssekabira through security agencies yielded no results.
“We have tried, the Church and the family have tried almost all security organs to find out where he is or whether he is in custody. But, as usual, they have denied everything,” he explained.
He added, “The bishop could not wait any longer, and we have been instructed to file an application for habeas corpus in court, which we are filing on Monday, hoping to secure his release.”
Meanwhile, in a statement issued on Sunday, the Uganda Police Force has acknowledged reports claiming that Rev. Fr. Deusdedit Ssekabira has been abducted.
Police says that they are actively verifying the information and will provide updates once credible details about the Reverend Father’s situation are confirmed.
