In a rare historic alignment, Lent and Ramadan have begun on the same day for the first time in nearly three decades, drawing thousands of worshippers across Uganda into simultaneous seasons of fasting, prayer, reflection and charity.

On Ash Wednesday, Catholic faithful filled churches in Kampala and beyond to receive the imposition of ashes and begin the 40-day Lenten journey toward Easter. At Christ the King Church, hundreds attended early morning Masses, where clergy urged believers to embrace Lent with heartfelt repentance, strengthened prayer life and renewed commitment to the poor.

Msgr. Gerald Kalumba reminded the congregation that Lent is more than tradition, it is a call to sacrifice, spiritual discipline, and tangible acts of kindness for the needy. Similar messages echoed at St. Peter’s Nsambya Parish, where worshippers were encouraged to practice quiet, genuine charity throughout the Lenten season.

At the same time, Muslim leaders confirmed the start of Ramadan after sighting the crescent moon, ushering in a month of daytime fasting, nightly prayers and community upliftment. The convergence of these two sacred seasons was welcomed as a unique moment for interfaith solidarity, deepening shared values around compassion, spiritual renewal and self-reflection.

From Rome, Pope Leo XIV addressed Catholics worldwide in his Ash Wednesday message, calling on the faithful to seek the “true gift of conversion of heart” this Lent. The Pope stressed that prayer, sacrifice and a renewed focus on God prepare believers for the joy of Easter.

With both religious communities entering simultaneous periods of heightened spirituality, 2026 is shaping up as a remarkable year of unity in faith, shared fasting practices and collective compassion across Uganda and beyond.