St. Peter's
Catholic
Parish
Kanyanya

The church at Kanyanya began in 1913. The community was overseen by Maria Kyekobane, who is recorded as the first to look after the Christians and start the prayer services under a Muwafu tree and she is believed to be the first Catechist of Kanyanya. She was succeeded by Catechist Petero Mmundu

Catechist Petero Mmundu took over, after her to serve the faithful. It was he and the Christians who built the first grass thatched church building on land that had been donated by Her Royal Majesty Namasole Evelyn Maasombira (mother of Kabaka Chwa II). It was still Catechist Petero Mmundu, together with the Christians and Rev. Fr. Lorange who would build the 2nd church building (the old mategula church building) and the catechist’s house.

Early Church Administration: In the beginning, Kanyanya was a mission under Lubaga. As Christianity grew, it was transferred to Gayaza Parish. However, between the 1950s and 1960s, Kanyanya was re-established as a sub-parish under the newly formed Jinja Karoli Parish. The Parish Priest of Jinja Karoli at the time, Rev. Fr. Lorange (Pere Lanze), regularly visited Kanyanya to teach and strengthen the faith of the believers. Together with Catechist Petero Mmundu, Head of the Laity Joseph Kizannyiro, and the Christian community, they built the old church.

In the 1970s, Catechist Petero Mmundu was succeeded by Catechist Expedito Wasswa Kibirige from Gayaza to assist him as he was now old and weak. The Church was growing and there was need for more land; Her Royal Majesty Namasole Tekla Wagwe Ssuubi added Kanyanya more land. Furthermore, during the celebration of 100 years of Christianity in Uganda in 1979, more land was gifted by Her Royal Majesty Namasole Ndibalekera Juliana (Eyazaama), who also ensured that a land title was processed. The total land was recorded as 6.5 acres, including the school.

The construction of the big church was prompted by growth in the numbers of the faithful. It was spearhead by Head of the Laity George Matovu (who succedded the late Head of the Laity Joseph Kizannyiro) together with Fr. Achilles Katende, who at one point worked at Jinja Kaloli, the Parish Priest of Jinja Kaloli – Rev. Fr. Nsimbi (who had been serving the faithful since 1976); Catechist Ireneo Basigalira (who succeeded Catechist Expedito Wasswa Kibirige) and the late Catechist Phillip Serwanga; succeeded by Catechist Assumpta Ndugga. The foundation was laid in 1982 built by the Christians themselves; choosing amongst themselves who would build, carry water and cook.

Because of the long journey to Jinja Karoli, Head of the Laity Peter Muluuli Kayongo, requested that the parish be put under Mulago parish and this request was formally granted on 20th of August year of our Lord 1989. Head of the Laity Peter Muluuli Kayongo continued serving the church and for 17 years, leading the laity in building the church. He was succeeded by Head of the Laity Musisi Sonko David; who was later succeeded by Head of the Laity Kamya Mugwanya Edward; who was then succeeded by Head of the Laity Richard M. Ssennyonjo.