Cardinal Emmanuel Wamala, Archbishop emeritus of Kampala, (Uganda), was born on 15 December 1926 at Kamaggwa, in the parish of Lwaggulwe in the Diocese of Masaka. His father, Cosma Kyamcra and his mother, Theresa Nnamayanja, were blessed by the birth of 10 children, two of whom died while still babies. Of the eight remaining children (five boys and three girls) two became priests, one a religious and the others married.

He went to the elementary school of Kalisizo and Bakira for four years, before he entered Bukalasa Minor Seminary in 1942. After seven years in Bukalasa, he attended the National Major Seminary of Katigondo from 1949 to 1955. He gained pastoral experience in Kabula parish in the Masaka Diocese. In September 1956, he was sent to Rome for further study at the Pontifical Urban University, where he obtained a licentiate in theology. He was ordained priest on 21 December 1957, in Rome.

After his ordination, Archbishop Wamala continued his studies at the Gregorian University in Rome (1958-1960) earning a licentiate in social sciences. He returned to Uganda in 1960.

For two years after returning to Uganda in 1960, Emmanuel Wamala worked at the parish of Villa Maria which then functioned as the Diocesan School Supervisor in the Diocese of Masaka. From 1962 to 1964 he took a course in pedagogy at Makerere University, Kampala. After gaining a diploma in pedagogy at Makerere University in 1964 he was sent to teach at Bukalasa Minor Seminary until 1968, when he was appointed chaplain of Makerere University. He held this post until 1974.

In 1974 he was named Vicar General of Masaka and at the same time for a certain period, parish priest of Nkoni (1975-1977) and of Kimaanya (1977-1979).

After his appointment as Bishop of Kiyinda-Mityana on 17 July 1981, on 22 November 1981 he was ordained by Cardinal Emmanuel Nsubuga.

On 21 June 1988 he was promoted to the rank of Coadjutor Bishop of Kampala. On 8 February 1990, he succeeded Cardinal Nsubuga.

Archbishop Emmanuel Wamala has been President of the Episcopal Conference of Uganda (1986-1994).

He has also been President of the Uganda Joint Christian Council.

Archbishop Wamala became the first Rector of the New Uganda Martyrs University, officially opened on 18 October 1993.

Archbishop emeritus of Kampala, 19 August 2006.

He participated in the conclave of April 2005, which elected Pope Benedict XVI.

Created and proclaimed Cardinal by St. John Paul II in the consistory of 26 November 1994, of the Title of S. Ugo (St. Hugh).