A Papal knight or Dame is a man or woman granted an honorary title of papal knighthood for distinctive service to the Church. A prospective Knight or Dame is identified by a Bishop or an Ordinary and through the Apostolic Nunciature is forwarded to the Vatican for approval. The decorations are bestowed through MOTU Pro-Prio (without any formal request from another person).
Anthony Nnakirya Mateega is a Papal Knight in Kampala Archdiocese. He was knighted in April 2021 by Archbishop Paul Semwogerere. He was born on 1st March 1970 to Mr David Nnakirya and Mrs Juliet Kizza Nnakirya. He began his education at Uganda Martyrs Katwe Nursery school, before joining Primary one in 1976 at Uganda Martyrs Junior School Namilyango until 1983 after his Primary Leaving Examination.
In 1984, Mr Mateega joined St Charles Lwanga Kisubi Minor Seminary for his ordinary and advanced school levels. His aim was to become a priest. He later joined Makerere University for a Bachelor’s degree in Social Science and graduated with an Honor’s degree in Social Science, majoring in Political science and Public Administration. His Love for the Church information. He is also the founder of Spiritual Mothers of the Holy Priesthood, a prayer community for the spiritual needs of priests and religious.
Mr Mateega has facilitated recollections for religious novices from several institutes under the Association of the Religious of Uganda (ARU). He has also been a facilitator for seminarians and deacons preparing for major orders for different dioceses over years. He has served on many Church committees within Kampala and other dioceses and he is a board member of many Catholic founded schools. At the moment, he is the president of Radio Maria Uganda, a position he held since September 2020.
In 2020, while on his farm, Mateega received a phone call from Archbishop, Dr Cyprian Kizito Lwanga (R.I.P). He said the call came as a surprise, especially when the Archbishop insisted on seeing him not later than that day. “When I arrived at the Archbishop’s office, he handed me the letter and told me that today, you cannot say no, Pope Francis has appointed you a knight. This news came to me like a bomb,” commented Mr Mateega.
“The Archbishop told me that this is a Pontifical Secret, so don’t tell anyone until 45 days elapse not even your wife,” he added. He said it was the hardest time of keeping such good news to himself.
Mr Mateega is glad that the interview has taken place during the time of the synod and synodality. He says we should journey together in Communion.
He called upon fellow Knights and lay people to journey with the Church and help the Church to journey with the people. He is a believer in core responsibility, which he says is very important and people should practice.
By Irene Lamunu
