Charles Martin Wamika
| The Most Reverend Charles Martin Wamika | |
|---|---|
| Bishop of Jinja | |
| Church | Catholic Church |
| Archdiocese | Tororo |
| See | Jinja |
| Appointed | 2 March 2010 |
| Installed | 2 March 2010 |
| Term ended | 22 October 2025 |
| Predecessor | Joseph B. Willigers |
| Successor | Vacant |
| Other posts | Auxiliary Bishop of Tororo and Titular Bishop of Tacapae (18 October 1993 – 2 March 2010) |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 22 September 1979 |
| Consecration | 19 February 1994 by James Odongo |
| Rank | Bishop |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Charles Martin Wamika 12 August 1953 Budaka District, Protectorate of Uganda |
| Died | 22 October 2025 (aged 72) Kampala, Uganda |
| Motto | Ut omnes unum sint ("That all may be one") |
Charles Martin Wamika (12 August 1953 – 22 October 2025) was a Ugandan Roman Catholic prelate, who was the Bishop of Jinja in Uganda from 2 March 2010 until his death in office on 22 October 2025. Before this, he was auxiliary bishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Tororo from 18 October 1993 until 2 March 2010. He was appointed bishop by Pope John Paul II and consecrated at Tororo on 19 February 1994. He served concurrently as titular bishop of Tacapae while auxiliary bishop. On 2 March 2010, Pope Benedict XVI transferred him to Jinja as the local ordinary to succeed Bishop Joseph B. Willigers, whose age-related retirement was accepted by the pope and took effect the same day.
Early life and education
Wamika was born on 12 August 1953 in the present-day Budaka District in the eastern region of the Protectorate of Uganda. He studied at Saint Peter's Claver College, then in 1964 he transferred to Saint Pius X Minor Seminary in Nagongera. He studied philosophy at the Uganda Martyrs' National Major Seminary Alokolum in Gulu before studying theology at the Ggaba National Major Seminary in Kampala.[1][2]
Priest
Wamika was ordained priest on 22 September 1979 for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Tororo. He served in the archdiocese until 18 October 1993.[1]
Bishop
Wamika was appointed bishop on 18 October 1993, serving as auxiliary bishop of Tororo and as titular bishop of Tacapae. He was consecrated as bishop on 19 February 1994 at Tororo by James Odongo, Bishop of Tororo, assisted by Emmanuel Wamala, archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kampala, and Joseph B. Willigers, Bishop of Jinja.[1]
On 2 March 2010 he was appointed bishop of the Diocese of Jinja.[3] He succeeded Joseph Willigers, who retired after 43 years as bishop of the Diocese of Jinja.[4][5] He continued to serve in that capacity.[6]
Death
Wamika died on 22 October 2025 at the age of 72.[7][8]
See also
References
- Back to citation occurrence 1.0 Back to citation occurrence 1.1 Back to citation occurrence 1.2 David M. Cheney (25 February 2024). "MicroData Summary for Bishop Charles Martin Wamika (born 12 August 1953) Bishop of Jinja". Catholic-Hierarchy.org. Kanss City. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
- Back to citation Juliet Lukwago; Juliet Waiswa (2 March 2010). "Jinja Diocese Gets New Bishop". New Vision. Kampala, Uganda. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
- Back to citation David M. Cheney (25 February 2024). "MicroData Summary for Bishop Charles Martin Wamika (born 12 August 1953) Bishop of Jinja". Catholic-Hierarchy.org. Kanss City. Retrieved 31 July 2025; Juliet Lukwago; Juliet Waiswa (2 March 2010). "Jinja Diocese Gets New Bishop". New Vision. Kampala, Uganda. Retrieved 31 July 2025; Agenzia Fides (2 March 2010). "Africa/Uganda: Bishop of Jinja resigns, successor appointed". Agenzia Fides. Vatican City. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
- Back to citation Agenzia Fides (2 March 2010). "Africa/Uganda: Bishop of Jinja resigns, successor appointed". Agenzia Fides. Vatican City. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
- Back to citation Aldon Walukamba (5 October 2012). "Busoga Pays Tribute to Bishop Willigers". Uganda Radio Network. Kampala, Uganda. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
- Back to citation Christopher Kisekka (3 June 2023). "Bishop Wamika Urges Catholics to Embrace, Express Their Faith Fearlessly". Uganda Radio Network. Kampala, Uganda. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
- Back to citation John, Mukasa (22 October 2025). "Catholic Bishop of Jinja, Rt. Rev. Charles Martin Wamika has Passed on". Kalisho Info. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
- Back to citation Mercy Nalugo; Godfrey Masiko (23 October 2025). "Busoga region mourns Bishop Martin Wamika". Daily Monitor. Kampala, Uganda. Retrieved 25 October 2025.