The grave of the late Monsignor Aloysius Ngobya of Kitovu Cathedral in Nyendo Masaka has become a busy place as politicians seek spiritual blessings ahead of the 2016 polls. Ngobya's grave is located at Kitovu Cathedral in Nyendo-Ssenyange Division in Masaka municipality.

The late Ngobya died in 1986.  Masaka Diocese declared his grave a holy shrine in 2013 because the late Ngobya is believed by some Christians to perform miracles. In 2012, a team of priests from the Vatican exhumed Ngobya's remains to get scientific evidence to pave way for his canonization.

Vatican is yet to pronounce itself on the matter. In January this year, Masaka Diocese launched fresh inquiries to hunt for scientific evidence to prove reports that Ngobya performs miracles to back up their push for him to be declared a saint. Although the chances of declaring the late Father Ngobya a saint are still slim, his grave has become a center of attraction for politicians seeking victory in the 2016 polls.

Some of those who have flocked the grave for spiritual blessings include the incumbent Bukoto East Member of Parliament and vice President Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi, Joseph Kalungi, the incumbent Masaka LC 5 Chairman, Masaka Municipality MP Mathias Mpuuga and Bukomansimbi Woman MP Susan Namaganda.

Jude Mbabaali, the Democratic Party candidate for the Masaka LC V chairperson's seat and Masaka Municipality MP Mathias Mpuuga believe that the late Reverend Father Ngobya intercedes for them through prayers. Mbabaali says he has achieved a lot through praying at Ngobya's grave. According to Mbabaali, he hopes for victory in the coming elections after praying at Ngobya's grave.

Matia Mulindwa Kagugube, an Independent candidate for the Masaka district LC V chairperson's seat has also visited Ngobya's grave for prayers. Kagugube says he went to the grave to pray so that he wins the 2016 general elections. Kagugube says as a staunch catholic believer, he believes Ngobya can help him achieve his political ambitions.


Francis Kimuli, who seeks to retain his Buwunga sub county LC 3 chairperson's seat says he prayed at the grave in the 2011 polls, which saw him win the seat. According to Kamuli, he has been praying at the grave since he was a young boy.



Reverand Father Henry Kasule of Kitovu Cathedral says Ngobya\'s grave remains an attraction because of the testimonies given by those who have experienced his miracles. According to Father Kasule, people of all walks of life from as a far as Burundi, Rwanda, DRC and Kenya flock father Ngobya's grave for blessings.

He says of the late the grave has become a center of attraction for politicians vying for different political offices. Reverend Father Edward Ssekabanja, the Chancellor Masaka Diocese says they are still hunting for genuine scientific evidence to submit to Rome for the canonization of father Ngobya.

He says some of the evidence that was earlier on submitted was more of religious and theoretical, which couldn't be relied on to canonize Father Ngobya.