Namugongo-Kyoto - Les Foyers de Charité

Kyoto / n / Luganda for “fireplace”.

Since the dawn of time, people have gathered around fireplaces. A fireplace is a warm and inviting space which inspires feelings of peace and relaxation. Gathering around a fireplace has long been a way for people to connect with one self or others and people have to work together to keep the fire alive.  Fire is essential for life.

Foyers  / n / French word for fireplace

Foyers of Charité, Light and Love is a place for Catholic silent retreats where one learns why he or she is called ‘salt of the earth’ and ‘light of the world’ (Matthew 5: 13-16). It is a school of Catholic Catechism of the Fundamentals of the Catholic faith. The Luganda word for Foyer means fireplace,*Kyoto* where one feels the love of God, peace, and relaxation within prayer.

Welcome to Namugongo Kyoto | Les Foyers de Charité

Namugongo-Kyoto – Foyers de Charité is a Roman Catholic community of baptized persons, men and women who, following in the example of the first Christians share all their gifts and resources (Acts 2: 41- 47). Together with a priest, the Father of Foyer, they commit themselves to announcing the Gospel. 

The principal mission of Namugongo Kyoto – Foyers de Charité is the facilitation of spiritual retreats in a silent family atmosphere of profound love and peace. Entrusting themselves to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Foyer members bear witness to God’s love for each person and to the beauty of life with Christ through their work, their prayer, and their testimony; through their fraternal life and their welcome. 

"All lights that come from God are goods to be transmitted, a treasure to be allowed to shine, a marvel to be made known, far and wide. " ~ MARTHE ROBIN

At Namugongo Kyoto – Foyers de Charité, we offer a quiet, sacred and welcoming place for people to “Come aside and rest awhile” (Mark 6:30-32);  We provide a space for prayer and discernment where people of all walks of life are encouraged to experience a deeper relationship with God.

While focusing on Catholic spirituality, Namugongo Kyoto – Foyers de Charité respects people of all faiths and welcomes groups seeking a quiet environment who wish to use the facilities and grounds for retreats, conferences, meetings, workshops as well as private retreats either by day or overnight.

Groups we welcome include :

We are conveniently located between the two Uganda Martyrs Shrines of Namugongo: The Catholic shrine and the Protestant shrine, and are thus well suited to host pilgrims. 

Emmanuel Prayer Garden at Namugongo Kyoto

Namugongo Kyoto invites you to Emmanuel Prayer Garden to spend quiet and quality time with God, following the example of Jesus, Mary, and the Saints. The aesthetic uniqueness of the prayer garden adds value to our mission of facilitating spiritual retreats and similar exercises.

Mass times at Kyoto Chapel 


Monday – Saturday

Sunday