Late Ugandan Catholic Archbishop Delivered Touching Homilies, “very sociable man”: Eulogy

“He will be remembered for his love of peace, reconciliation, and deep faith in God. Being a man who loved the Word of God, whenever he gave a strong point, he would refer you to the Word of God,” Bishop Zziwa added. 

He went on to describe the late Archbishop who started his Episcopal Ministry on 24 June 1989 as the Coadjutor Bishop of Mbarara Diocese as “a true pastor, a shepherd of the flock entrusted to him by the Lord.”

Born in June 1994, Archbishop Bakyenga was ordained a Priest for the Catholic Diocese of Mbarara in July 1971.

He became the first Archbishop of the Ugandan Archdiocese on 2 January 1999 when Pope John Paul II elevated Mbarara Diocese to an Archdiocese. 

The late Catholic Archbishop was succeeded by Archbishop Lambert Bainomugisha in June 2020. 

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In his homily during the July 21 Eucharistic celebration, Archbishop Paul Sseemogerere of Kampala Archdiocese recalled the late Archbishop’s “love and dedication to the service of the Church and humanity in general.”

“Archbishop Paul had an unconditional love for humanity. His concern for the well-being of all people was evident in his preaching and works especially in the areas of education, health, and social justice,” the Local Ordinary of Kampala said, adding that the late Archbishop “touched the lives of many as a father, a colleague, a formator and above all as a shepherd.” 

Plans are underway for Archbishop Bakyenga to be laid to rest at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Nyamitanga Cathedral of Mbarara Archdiocese on Sunday, July 23.

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