An elderly Ugandan couple who died only hours apart were laid to rest next to each other on Friday in Luwero district, about 65 kilometres from Kampala.

John Kasule, 86, and his 74-year-old wife had been married for 56 years until their deaths this week.

Namazzi died on Wednesday after complaining of feeling unwell. The morning after, Kasule also passed away at their home in Masajja. He had been receiving home-based care for throat cancer.

The double tragedy led to the family deciding to postpone an earlier scheduled requiem mass for Namazzi in order to have joint prayers.

Bafumbo parishioners laying a white cloth on coffins of their fellow deceased bafumbo John Harton Kasule and Maria Namazzi Kasule, (the couple who died within a fortnight of each other) after the requiem Mass at St Pius Masajja Parish on Friday March 24, 2023

On Friday, mourners gathered at St Pius Catholic Parish Masajja in Kampala Archdiocese for the funeral mass of the well-known elderly parishioners.

Many wept as the two caskets were wheeled into the filled church for mass to be led by the Vicar General of Kampala, Msgr Charles Kasibante.

In attendance were also priests from Bukalasa Seminary, where one of the late couple's sons is teaching.

'Let's emulate them'

Calling the occasion a sombre one, Kasibante said: "If God says yes, what can we do?"

“I came to know Kasule when I was serving in Kisubi Seminary, where among the parents there, he served for a long time at Nsambya Babies Home," he added.

Grandchildren of the deceased, John Harton Kasule and Maria Namazzi Kasule, (the couple who died within a fortnight of each other) laying a wreath on coffins containing the bodies of their grand-parents after the Requiem Mass at St Pius Masajja Parish

"Let us continue to emulate them [deceased couple] as we also continue to pray for the orphans in this trying moment for them."

Kasibante delivered a condolence message from Emmanuel Cardinal Wamala, who said Kasule and Namazzi loved their God and the church.

Fr Dr Mark Richard Ssajjabbi, the parish priest of Masajja, spoke fondly of Kasule.

"When I came to Masajja in 2016, Kasule helped me a lot to know this place, which made my work easier," he told the congregation.

Speaking on behalf of the bereaved children, Joseph Ssenfuka said their parents initially fell sick around the same time last December.

Their mother had high blood pressure while their father, who had ulcers, was diagnosed with throat cancer that month.

Ssenfuka visited his parents in the final week of their lives.

"On Tuesday, I came to see them. When I was with daddy in the bedroom, he asked me three times: 'How is your mother?' The following day, she passed on," he told mourners.

Fearing how he would react to the news, the family did not immediately tell their father that his wife of more than half-a-century had just died.

But not long after, he too slipped away Thursday morning.

Just before 4pm on Friday, Kasule and his beloved wife were laid to rest next to each other in Ngembe-Bulemezi in Luwero district.

Nuns from different congregations laying a wreath

A union of over 50 years

Their deaths only hours apart and subsequent burial alongside each other offered a fitting conclusion to a matrimonial union that spanned decades.

Kasule and Namazzi first met in March 1966, fell in love and got married five months later, according to the family.

Their wedding was presided over by Fr Emmanuel Walakira at Bukulula Catholic Parish.

Five years into their marriage, Kasule left for the UK to attend studies at the University of Oxford.

Even after returning home and departing for Nairobi, Kenya not long after for further studies, Kasule' wife remained patient and held down their matrimonial fort.

He returned to Uganda to reunite with his wife and raise their children together in Masajja.

Priests praying for the deceased, John Harton Kasule and Maria Namazzi Kasule, (the couple who died within a fortnight of each other) after the requiem Mass led by Vicar General of Kampala, Msgr Charles Kasibante at St Pius Masajja Parish

For a long time, Kasule, described as an exemplary leader and hardworking man, served as head of laity for Ndeeba Catholic Parish.

He also worked at the Post Office, where he was posted to different locations, including Mbale, Pallisa, Tororo, Soroti and Kumi

He was a classmate of retired Bishop Matthias Ssekamaanya of Lugazi.

Meanwhile, Namazzi was born to Peter Kafeero and Franscica Nantale in Bukulula, Masaka.

She got married at the age of 17 and was a teacher at Nkoni Primary School.