Mapeera Nabulagala Catholic Parish is named after Father Lourdel Simeon, also fondly known as ‘Mapeera’ which is a local imitation of the French word ‘Mon Pere’ that means ‘My father.’

Father Mapeera, together with Brother Amans Delmas came to Uganda on 18th February, 1879, making them the first Catholic missionaries in the country.

Based at the Mapeera Nabulagala Catholic parish, the two missionaries mentored a number of iconic Ugandans in the religion of Catholism, among which were the Uganda Martyrs who are usually celebrated on the 3rd of every June (Uganda Martyrs Day).

In 2015, Mapeera Nabulagala Catholic Parish was declared a pilgrimage centre under the name ‘Mapeera – Nabunya Pilgrimage Centre.’ This was inaugurated by the Vicar General of Kamapala Mgr.Charles Kasibante on 20th December, 2015.

Mapeera – Nabunya Pilgrimage centre has since been declared as one of the major tourist attractions in Kampala by KCCA (Kampala City Council Authority), show casing and telling stories of religious evolution in Uganda as well as preserving the works of Father Lourdel Simeon and Brother Amans Delmas.