Frequently Asked Questions
How one joins the seminary, how long formation takes, and what is studied.
Questions we are asked
- 01How does one join Alokolum seminary?
Being a national seminary, Alokolum receives students from the dioceses of Uganda. Students are recruited by their respective dioceses after fulfilling the requirements.
- 02How many years does seminary training take?
Major seminary training in Uganda is divided into philosophical formation, the Pastoral Spiritual Year and theological formation. Alokolum is a philosophical seminary where students spend three years.
After completing the three years, seminarians return to their respective dioceses for the further stages of formation.
- 03What is the difference between a major seminary and a minor seminary?
A minor seminary provides secondary-level education for boys discerning priesthood, while a major seminary carries later philosophical, spiritual, human and pastoral formation.
- 04How many major seminaries are there in Uganda?
The National Major Seminary of the Uganda Episcopal Conference has four campuses, for philosophical and theological formation. Alokolum is one of the four.
- 05Is seminary training in Uganda the same as in other parts of the world?
Priestly formation follows the Church's universal guidance while each episcopal conference establishes an approved programme suited to its context.
- 06Is everyone who joins Alokolum ordained a priest?
Not everyone who begins is ordained. Formation is a time of discernment for both the seminarian and the Church.
- 07Can one join the major seminary without having been in a minor seminary?
A candidate may be admitted to major seminary on the recommendation of the authorities in his diocese, subject to the applicable requirements.
- 08What does one study at Alokolum?
Philosophy and Social Sciences, in a three-year (six-semester) programme taught in academic affiliation with the Pontifical Urbaniana University, Rome. It prepares seminarians for theological studies.