Celebration of 130 Years of Mill Hill Missionary Presence in Uganda and the Annual National Day of the Friends of Mill Hill at St. Karoli Lwanga Parish, Mbikko, Uganda.
The Mill Hill Missionaries in Uganda, together with the Friends of Mill Hill, commemorated 130 years of Mill Hill Missionary presence in Uganda during a solemn celebration held at St. Karoli Lwanga Parish, Mbikko, in the Diocese of Lugazi on Saturday 11th October, 2025. The occasion, organized by the FOMH together with their Director, Rev. Fr. Placide Elia Batondobi, MHM, which also marked the Annual National Day of the Friends of Mill Hill in Uganda, took place during the Month of Mission, a time when the Universal Church renews her reflection on the missionary mandate. The celebration was particularly significant in light of the Holy Father’s invitation to all Christians to meditate on the 2025 Mission Sunday theme: “Missionaries of Hope to All Peoples.”
The event brought together Mill Hill Missionaries serving in various parts of the country, members of the Friends of Mill Hill from different dioceses, and the local Christian community of Mbikko Parish. It served as a moment of thanksgiving to God for the fruitful missionary journey of the Society and a renewal of commitment to the evangelizing mission of the Church.
The Mill Hill Missionaries first arrived in Uganda on 6th September 1895, under the leadership of Bishop Henry Hanlon, MHM, the first Vicar Apostolic of the Upper Nile Vicariate. Their arrival marked the beginning of a vibrant missionary era in Eastern Uganda, with the establishment of early mission stations that laid the foundation for the present-day dioceses of Jinja, Tororo, and Lugazi, among others. Over the decades, the Missionaries of St. Joseph (Mill Hill Missionaries) have been instrumental in pastoral ministry, education, healthcare, and social development, leaving an enduring legacy in the growth of the Church in Uganda.
To commemorate this 130-year milestone, participants took part in a symbolic tree-planting ceremony within the parish compound. The planting of these historical trees represented the deep missionary roots of the Mill Hill Society in Uganda and the growth of the faith communities that have blossomed through their ministry.
The Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Rev. Fr. Hillary Awiti, Regional Representative of the Mill Hill Missionaries in East Africa. In his address, Fr. Awiti expressed gratitude to the Friends of Mill Hill and to all who continue to collaborate in the missionary work of the Society. He emphasized that the 130-year journey of the Mill Hill Missionaries in Uganda stands as a testimony of faith, resilience, and hope, grounded in the words of Christ: “Go out to the whole world and proclaim the Good News.”
The homily was delivered by Rev. Fr. Andrew Mukulu, Parish Priest of St. Karoli Lwanga Parish, Mbikko, who reflected on the missionary legacy of the Mill Hill Missionaries as a living witness of hope and service. He underlined the vital role of the laity, particularly the Friends of Mill Hill, in sustaining the missionary spirit through prayer, support, and active involvement in parish life.
The celebration concluded with expressions of appreciation to all who contributed to the success of the event and a renewed resolve among the participants to strengthen missionary awareness and solidarity within the local Church. The Friends of Mill Hill reaffirmed their commitment to praying for missionaries and vocations, promoting mission in parishes, and keeping alive the history of the Mill Hill Missionaries in Uganda.
As the Mill Hill Missionaries mark 130 years of dedicated service in Uganda, the celebration at Mbikko stands as a profound reminder that the missionary vocation—nourished by faith and animated by hope—continues to inspire the People of God to bear witness to Christ’s love among all peoples.
