"He is in our hands"- Security confirms arresting Catholic Priest

The Uganda  People's Defence Force Has Confirmed The Arrest Of Father Rev. Fr. Deusdedit Ssekabira, A priest Of Masaka Diocese.

What You Need To Know:

The Catholic Church in Uganda was thrown into shock following the reported kidnap of Rev. Fr. Deusdedit Ssekabira, a priest of Masaka Diocese, by armed men allegedly dressed in Uganda Army uniform.

According to an official communication issued on December 13, 2025, by the Bishop of Masaka Diocese, Rt. Rev. Serverus Jjumba, Fr. Ssekabira was abducted on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at around 1:00 pm while at his office at Uplift Primary School in Katwe, Masaka City, where he serves as Director.

The priest is also a curate at Bumangi Parish.

The bishop revealed that the kidnappers reportedly arrived in army uniform and used a drone during the operation, raising serious concern over the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Despite efforts by the diocese and relevant authorities to trace Fr. Ssekabira’s whereabouts, he remains missing more than ten days after the incident.

“All efforts to locate him have so far been fruitless. This is a grievous wound inflicted on Masaka Diocese, the entire Catholic Church, and Fr. Ssekabira’s family,” Bishop Jjumba stated.

The Diocese has since engaged legal teams and continues to pursue all available avenues to secure the safe and unconditional release of the priest.

The bishop did not speculate on the motive behind the kidnapping but emphasized the deep pain and anxiety the incident has caused among clergy, faithful, and the wider community.

In response to the incident, Bishop Jjumba directed all priests of Masaka Diocese on Monday, December 8, 2025, to observe a Rosary Triduum, three consecutive days of praying the Rosary using the Sorrowful Mysteries, for the safety of Fr. Ssekabira, the Church, and the nation.

On Saturday, December 13, 2025, the bishop extended the call to all Christ’s faithful across Masaka Diocese, urging Catholics to pray from their homes, parishes, and communities for divine intervention.

“Today, I am calling upon all Christ’s faithful of Masaka Diocese to do a Rosary Triduum with the Sorrowful Mysteries, praying that God’s power may reign,” he said.

The bishop made the solemn appeal from Our Lady of Sorrows Cathedral in Kitovu, a site of painful historical significance.

He recalled that on July 12, 1976, Msgr. Clement Mukasa was kidnapped from the same place and has never been seen again.

The incident has reignited concerns about the safety of religious leaders and the rule of law in the country, with many Catholics calling for transparency, accountability, and swift action by security agencies.