The Bishop of Masaka Diocese, Rt. Rev. Severous Jjumba, has spoken out about the alleged kidnapping of Rev. Fr. Deusdedit Ssekabira, a priest of Masaka Diocese and curate at Bumangi Parish.
Fr. Ssekabira was reportedly abducted by men dressed in Uganda Army uniforms and travelling in a drone vehicle on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at around 1:00 p.m. The incident allegedly occurred at Katwe in Masaka City, at his office where he serves as Director of Uplift Primary School.
According to the Bishop, all efforts to trace the priest have so far been unsuccessful.
“It is a grievous wound inflicted on Masaka Diocese, the entire Catholic Church, and Fr. Ssekabira’s family. Masaka Diocese, together with our lawyers, is doing everything within our means to have our priest returned unharmed,” the Bishop said.
Last week, the Bishop directed all priests of Masaka Diocese to observe a Rosary Triduum—praying the Sorrowful Mysteries for three consecutive days—for the safe return of Fr. Ssekabira, the Church, and the nation of Uganda.
On Tuesday, he further called upon all Christ’s faithful in Masaka Diocese to pray the Rosary Triduum in their homes, parishes, and communities, asking that God’s power may prevail.
“I am making this communication from Our Lady of Sorrows, Kitovu Cathedral, where on July 12, 1976, Msgr. Clement Mukasa was kidnapped and has never been seen again,” the Bishop said.
Meanwhile, in a statement released last week, the Uganda Police Force acknowledged reports circulating on social media regarding the alleged abduction of Rev. Fr. Deusdedit Ssekabira.
“We are currently verifying these claims and will provide an update once sufficient information about the Reverend Father is obtained,” the police stated.
