MASAKA, APOSTOLIC VICARIATE OF. — It is situated in the southern part of the Uganda Protectorate, on the western shore of Lake Victoria. It was erected on 25 May 1939 with territory detached from the Apostolic Vicariate of Uganda (q.v.). It is entrusted to the indigenous secular clergy, and its apostolic vicar is the first indigenous bishop of Latin rite (Mons. Giuseppe Kiwanuka) on the African continent, though he belongs to the Society of Missionaries of Africa.
It has an area of approximately 8,000 sq. km. with a population of approximately 386,000 inhabitants, of whom 137,362 are Catholic, 459 catechumens; over 47,000 Protestants; over 33,000 Muslims and 67,500 pagans; 52 indigenous secular priests, 19 White Fathers; 209 sisters, of whom 16 are foreign and 195 indigenous; one major and one minor seminary; 67 educational institutions; 216 churches; 3 charitable institutions. Also flourishing are the associations of charity and Catholic Action.