Charles Martin Wamika
Charles Martin Wamika was a Ugandan Roman Catholic prelate, who was the Bishop of Jinja in Uganda from 2 March 2010 until his death in office on 22 October 2025. Before this, he was auxiliary bishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Tororo from 18 October 1993 until 2 March 2010. He was appointed bishop by Pope John Paul II and consecrated at Tororo on 19 February 1994. He served concurrently as titular bishop of Tacapae while auxiliary bishop. On 2 March 2010, Pope Benedict XVI transferred him to Jinja as the local ordinary to succeed Bishop Joseph B. Willigers, whose age-related retirement was accepted by the pope and took effect the same day.
Early life and education
Wamika was born on 12 August 1953 in the present-day Budaka District in the eastern region of the Protectorate of Uganda. He studied at St. Peter's Claver College, then in 1964 he transferred to Saint Pius X Minor Seminary in Nagongera. He studied philosophy at the Uganda Martyrs' National Major Seminary Alokolum in Gulu before studying theology at the Ggaba National Major Seminary in Kampala.Priest
Wamika was ordained priest on 22 September 1979 for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Tororo. He served in the archdiocese until 18 October 1993.Bishop
Wamika was appointed bishop on 18 October 1993, serving as auxiliary bishop of Tororo and as titular bishop of Tacapae. He was consecrated as bishop on 19 February 1994 at Tororo by James Odongo, Bishop of Tororo, assisted by Emmanuel Wamala, archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kampala, and Joseph B. Willigers, Bishop of Jinja.On 2 March 2010 he was appointed bishop of the Diocese of Jinja. He succeeded Joseph Willigers, who retired after 43 years as bishop of the Diocese of Jinja. He continued to serve in that capacity.