Biography of Bishop Moses Banja
Born on October 20, 1964, Bishop Moses Banja is the eighth child of the late Eriya Wamala Ntume and the late Christine Wamala of Nakabbugo Bbira Village, Busiro, Wakiso District. Originally named Musa Omumaziwebabbanja, he later changed his name to Moses and shortened his surname to Banja, for simplicity and better alignment with his Christian faith.
Raised in a large family of 14 children—nine boys and five girls—Bishop Banja grew up in a home that deeply valued education and Christian values. His parents were devout Christians who actively served in their local church, with his father working in the printery section of the Uganda Bookshop. Their faith and commitment to church service shaped Banja’s early spiritual growth, involving him and his siblings in various church activities.
Bishop Banja began his education at Bogere Nursery in Kampala before moving on to Bbira Primary School and Kassanda Muslim Boarding Primary School. He later attended Makai High School in Nateete and Makerere College, where he completed his Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UAEC), focusing on Divinity, Economics, Geography, and Luganda.
His journey to ministry began when he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal savior on December 3, 1989, while at Makerere College School. Encouraged by Rev. Elly Waswa, Banja pursued theological training at Bishop Tucker Theological College, now Uganda Christian University. In 1995, he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Divinity from Makerere University, followed by a Postgraduate Diploma in Education in 1996.
Bishop Banja was ordained as a deacon in December 1996 and later as a priest in 1998. His early ministry included serving as chaplain and teacher at Gayaza High School and Gayaza Junior School, where he taught Christian Religious Education, Physical Education, and Luganda. He also conducted prayers at Our Lady of Good Counsel, a Catholic-founded school.
In January 2001, he was posted to St. Stephen’s Church, Luzira, as Assistant Vicar of Luzira Parish, and was also appointed chaplain of Luzira Secondary School. That same year, he married Rev. Canon Prof. Olivia Nassaka at St. Paul’s Cathedral, Namirembe. The couple later moved to Scotland, where Bishop Banja pursued a Master’s degree in Advanced Studies in Education at the University of Edinburgh.
Upon returning to Uganda, he was assigned to train clergy at Uganda Martyrs’ Seminary, Namugongo, but was instead posted to St. Phillips and Andrews Cathedral in Mukono to be near his wife. After six months, he was appointed Diocesan Secretary for Mukono Diocese. While there, he enrolled in a Master’s programme in Organizational Leadership and Management at Uganda Christian University but was unable to complete it due to health issues.
In 2012, Bishop Banja was posted to Namirembe Diocese as Assistant Diocesan Education Secretary, and in 2018, he became Assistant Human Resource Officer. In January 2021, he was appointed Archdeacon of Luzira Archdeaconry, a role he held until his election as Bishop. He continues to serve as Assistant Human Resource Officer at Namirembe Diocese.
Bishop Banja and his wife are blessed with three children and continue to serve the Church and the community with dedication.
