The UEC acts primarily through the Uganda Catholic Secretariat in an effort to promote and coordinate social and pastoral ministry of the Catholic Church of Uganda.
This task is performed through twelve committees including the liturgical-pastoral, dedicated to the apostolate of the laity, the Board of justice and peace, as education and training of priests, and those on ecumenism and interreligious dialogue.
The statutes of the Conference were approved by the Holy See on September 8, 1974.
The UEC is a member of the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) and Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM).
1969–1975: Emmanuel Kiwanuka Nsubuga, archbishop of Kampala 1975–1977: John Baptist Kakubi, Archbishop of Mbarara 1977–1982: Adrian Kivumbi Ddungu, Bishop of Masaka 1982–1986: Barnabas R. Halem 'Imana, Bishop of Kabale 1986–1994: Emmanuel Wamala, Bishop of Mityana - Kiyinda and Archbishop of Kampala 1994–2002: Paul Lokiru Kalanda, Bishop of Fort Portal 2002–2006: Paul K. Bakyenga, Archbishop of Mbarara 2006–2010: Matthias Ssekamaanya, bishop of Lugazi 2010–2018: John Baptist Odama, Archbishop of Gulu 2018 to date: Rt.