Lwanga to Ugandans: Make your will

PIC: Archbishop of Kampala Archbishop Dr Cyprian Kizito Lwanga, his vicar General, Charles Kasibante, Fr Joseph Mary Bbuye, the Lubaga Cathedral administrator and others at the burial of Fr Joseph Kijjambu at Lubaga. (Credit: Juliet Lukwago)

KAMPALA - The Archbishop of Kampala Archdiocese, Dr Cyprian Kizito Lwanga, has said he has introduced forms that will work as wills for priests.

In the same spirit, he urged Ugandans to make wills to avoid leaving misunderstandings among potential beneficiaries of their property when they die.

Lwanga was speaking at the burial of the late Fr Joseph Kijjambu, who died last week at Nsambya Hospital. During the burial ceremony at Sacred Heart of Mary Cathedral, Lubaga, it was revealed that the fallen priest suffered a stroke two days before he died.

Fr Kijjambu was remembered as an obedient, hardworking, intelligent and self-driven person who believed in self-sustenance.

Priests and nuns from Mpigi Parish lay A wreath on the casket of their fallen colleague Fr Joseph Kijjambu at Lubaga Cathedral. (Credit: Juliet Lukwago)

Lwanga said Kijjambu's departure has left a big gap in the Catholic Church. On a hot Saturday, the archbishop urged fellow priests to emulate Fr Kijjambu's exemplary life of serving the Church and God.

He also described him as a talented advisor and teacher to all, who was a dedicated and determined clergyman.

Kijjambu was one of the longest serving priests, having served in Kampala Archdiocese for 42 years. He was laid to rest at Lubaga priests' graveyard after a requiem mass led by Archbishop Lwanga and attended by thousands of mourners from different dioceses, including his home parish Mpigi.

The 68-year-old priest was a classmate of the Archbishop of Gulu Archdiocese John Baptist Odama at Katigondo National Seminary in Kalungu district.

Lawrence Kamya, who spoke on behalf of the family, thanked God for the "gift of Fr. Kijjambu to our family", adding that he was a good leader and counselor who helped everyone.

Born on May 22, 1948, Kijjambu would later be ordained a priest in late 1974 by Emmanuel Cardinal Kiwanuka Nsubuga. The following year, he was appointed assistant priest at Mubende Parish in Kiyinda-Mityana diocese, before joining Namagunga Parish in 1977.

His priesthood also saw him serve as assistant parish at Mpigi and Katende between 1978 and 1983, after which he was chaplain of Lubaga Hospital.

After pursuing further studies in the UK, Fr. Kijjambu returned and took on the role of chaplain of Kisubi Technical Institute in 1992 and later at Brothers of St Amans (Mapeera Brothers).

From 2006 until last year, he was assistant parish priest of Katende, before he was transferred to Lubaga Parish in September until the time of his death.