TRIBUTES TO THE LATE ARCHBISHOP CYPRIAN LWANGA

Ugandans are still coming to terms with the death of Kampala Archbishop Dr. Cyprian Kizito Lwanga, who was found dead in his room Saturday morning. Glowing tributes continue to flow for the Catholic cleric, whose death at the age of 68 has sent ripples of shock across the country and far beyond. Only hours before his passsing, Lwanga had led a procession for the Way of the Cross on Good Friday. Nothing could have prepared those who saw him alive and live on TV and in flesh leading a scaled down group of faithful in a recreation of Jesus Christ's walk to his crucifixion at Calvary, for the news that he was not to wake up from his sleep the following day.

As Uganda mourns Lwanga's death, various high-profile people have used different platforms to convey their condolence messages. Here is a look at some of them:

____________________________

Alongside his condolence message on Twitter, President Yoweri Museveni shared a picture of him meeting with Archbishop Lwanga at State House Nakasero back in April 2018, where they "held private fruitful deliberations".

"With profound grief, I have learnt of the death of Kampala Archbishop Cyprian Kizito Lwanga. I join the Catholic Church, all religious faithful, and the country in mourning Archbishop Lwanga. He has died in faith. May God grant his soul eternal repose," he tweeted.

****************

The Prime Minister, Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, said Lwanga's "wise counsel on many issues" will be missed.

"The sudden death of His Grace Dr  Cyprian Kizito Lwanga, the Archbishop of Kampala, is shocking and a huge loss to the Christian family and the country at large. We will miss his wise counsel on many issues. May the Almighty God Rest His Soul in Eternal Peace," tweeted the PM.

****************

The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Dr. Stephen Kaziimba wrote an open letter of condolence to Uganda's Roman Catholics, through the Kampala Archdiocese Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Pius Male Ssentumbwe:

"On behalf of the Church of Uganda, please accept our sincerest condolences to you and all Ugandan Roman Catholics, who are grieving the sudden death of Archbishop Cyprian Lwanga. Just yesterday [Friday], we walked the Way of the Cross together, and it is a shock to all of us. His clear Gospel voice of advocacy for the poor and oppressed, his commitment to Christian unity, and justice for all will be dearly missed. Yet, we know that he [Lwanga] has moved into the nearer presence of our Lord and is advancing from glory to glory. He fought the good fight, he finished the race; he kept the faith. Now he, who longed for our Lord's appearing, receives the crown of righteousness. We are praying for you, your people, and all Ugandans that we will know the comfort of the Holy Spirit at this time of great loss, and at the same time rejoice that Archbishop Cyprian's name was written in the Book of Life."

****************

The Minister of ICT and National Guidance, Judith Nabakooba prayed that Lwanga's contribution be "a living memory" to everyone.

"Government of Uganda has learnt about the death of the Archbishop of Kampala, His Grace Cyprian Kizito Lwanga. We condole with all the faithful, Catholic community and his family. As we mourn, let us be strengthened in the Easter promise of Jesus's triumph over death and suffering. Let the Archbishop's contribution to his country and mankind be a living memory to all of us. May his soul rest in peace," she said in her statement on Twitter.

****************

Former Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party president Dr. Kizza Besigye said Lwanga's death is a "great loss" for Uganda.

"Most shocking announcement! After leading the Uganda Joint Christian Council on the Way of The Cross & celebrating mass yesterday [Friday], he retired to join the Lord. Great loss for the country at a very difficult time. My thoughts are with Catholic Church and all people of faith," tweeted the former presidential candidate.

****************

National Unity Platform (NUP) president and former presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu said it is a "dark day for Uganda".

"It is a dark day for the Catholic Church, and a dark day for Uganda. I've learnt with shock about the sudden death of His Grace Dr. Cyprian Kizito Lwanga, the Archbishop of Kampala. It will be very hard to cope with this unimaginable loss. He will be remembered for always speaking out against injustice and oppression," his tweet read in part.

****************

Democratic Party president Norbert Mao said it was no wonder "the sun hid its face".

"The death of Archbishop Cyprian Kizito Lwanga of Kampala Archdiocese has struck us like a thunderbolt. No wonder this morning the sun hid its face in sorrow," he mourned, alongside his party's condolence message: "Archbishop Cyprian Kizito Lwanga lived with Jesus. He walked with Him along the Way of the Cross on Good Friday. He died with Him and will Rise with Him in Heaven."

****************

National Resistance Movement (NRM) Secretary General Justine Kasule Lumumba prayed that Lwanga emerges "triumphant with the Risen Christ".

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of a gracious faith leader, His Grace Dr. Cyprian Kizito Lwanga, the Archbishop of Kampala Archdiocese. This is both a shocking and an unimaginable loss. We celebrate the life of His Grace Dr. Cyprian Kizito Lwanga, the Archbishop of Kampala who died during this Easter Triduum and we are hopeful that like Jesus Christ conquered death , he will also emerge triumphant with the Risen Christ whose arise we await today at midnight. His contributions to the church and Humanity can not be overemphasized. We condole with the family of the deceased, Naggalama parish, the Roman Catholic church and Uganda as a nation," read the ruling party's condolence message.

****************

Speaking to New Vision's multimedia journalist Godfrey Ojore in the wake of Lwanga's death, Bishop of Bukedi diocese Samuel Egesa had this to say:

"After taking part in the Way of the Cross and the next day he is found dead! It is shocking to us to lose such an admirable leader. We stand with the family of the late and the entire Catholic Church over this painful loss.

****************

Soroti diocese Anglican bishop Kosea Odongo appealed to the Catholic faithful to remain strong after the death of their leader. "It is a trying moment for not only the Catholic faithful, but all Christians. I pray that God comforts us all during this trying time."

****************

Buganda Kingdom Prime Minister Charles Peter Mayiga tweeted his condolence message in Luganda, saying the news of Lwanga's death was a great shock to him. He said the late cleric loved Buganda, the Buganda king, Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II, and the Mmamba (lungfish) clan of the Baganda. Mayiga said Lwanga strived for nothing but the best for his country - and that he will be greatly missed. He prayed that his soul rests in eternal peace.

Mayiga's tweet: "Amawulire g’okufa kwa Ssaabasumba Dr Cyprian Kizito Lwanga gankubye wala. Abadde ayagala nnyo Obuganda, Ssaabasajja Kabaka n’ekika ky’Emmamba. Abadde alubiriira nnyo okulaba nga Uganda yeegombesa. Tugenda kumusaliirwa nnyo. Kitalo nnyo. Tusaba Katoda amuwe ekiwummulo eky’emirembe."

****************

Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago spoke to reporters about the death of Archbishop Lwanga, and New Vision's mutlimedia journalist Abbey Ramadhan captured what he said:

"It's like I was dreaming. It was so shocking to me. We never expected it - yes death can happen anytime, but this was very, very shocking. We saw him yesterday [Good Friday] participating actively in the Way of the Cross, leading Mass, leading the faithful - the Catholics, the Christians at large - and he looked so strong. Least did we know that he was about to depart from Earth.

"It is terrible, it is sad news. We are awaiting the report from whoever is concerned about the cause of his death. We hope we shall be told the truth, exactly what happened. It is very important because our hearts are yearning for truth. We want to get to the bottom of the matter and get to understand exactly what happened.

"He is one of those people who have stood firm on matters of truth and justice. When we spoke about truth and justice, you would tell he meant it. He believed in it. In all his homilies, he would talk about peace and justice. He really wanted  peace and justice to prevail in this country. He loved humanity, the weak, the sick, the downtrodden - he fought for their rights.

"Every now and again you would listen to him, you would admire the way he delivered his message, especially in regards to issues of truth and justice, equity, fairness and above all, good governance in this country. He spoke so much about justice. He fought all forms of injustices."

On his Facebook page, Lukwago described Lwanga as having been "an astute cleric and amiable gentleman".

"Very saddening and shocking news!!! An astute cleric, amiable gentleman, a vanguard of justice and good governance, a fervent defender of human dignity, rights and freedoms. Sleep well mukadde waffe. Eternal repose for your soul. Weraba kitaffe! Otulese mu biwoobe na kwaziirana."

****************

Bukedea Woman MP Anita Among said Lwanga was a "compassionate" figure.

"I have learned of the death of Kampala Archbishop His Grace Dr. Cyprian Kizito Lwanga. He was a compassionate and prominent figure in advocating for the suffering. He worked tirelessly to spread the message of peace, faith and hope, as well as teaching the importance of justice.

"I wish to express my spiritual participation in mourning with the dicastery and the entire Catholic church, and while I recall his generous ministry, I raise fervent prayers to the Lord for his soul, entrusting him to the maternal intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

"I'm thankful for the privilege of knowing Archbishop Lwanga and I will continue to offer my prayers from the heart for his union with Jesus and Mary. He was truly a man of God that showed us by his example how to have a spiritual life."

____________________