Catholics in Uganda, Africa and the world are in mourning following the death of Fr. Deogratius Rutaisire, a senior priest of the Catholic Missionary Congregation of the Apostles of Jesus. 

He succumbed to cancer at Misericordiae Hospital, Nairobi (Kenya) on Tuesday, October 12. He was 73 years old.

The Superior of the congregation of the Apostles of Jesus in Uganda, the Very Rev. Fr. John Mary Mooka called Rutaisire’s death a great loss for the congregation, the local missionary fraternity, the Catholic Church in Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Africa and the world.

“Our brother Rutaisire was a zealous preacher of the Gospel. He was a very committed and royal priest of the Roman Catholic Church. He loved and deeply treasured his missionary vocation. He was a true missionary for Africa and the world. We commend his spirit to the Lord,” Fr. Mooka said.

A Ugandan cleric of Rwandese descent, Rutaisire attended Rubaga Boys Primary School, Nswanjere Preparatory Seminary, Kisubi Minor Seminary, Langata Philosophicum, St. Thomas Aquinas Theologate (Nairobi).

Emmanuel Cardinal Nsubuga (RIP) ordained him as a priest of the Catholic missionary congregation of Apostles of Jesus on October 5, 1985.

He will be laid to rest at Langata Major Seminary (Apostles of Jesus), Nairobi on Tuesday, October 19.