Fr Viatori Muvunyi, who died same day after saying Mass, buried at Kisubi
Muvunyi was a clerical formator and teacher of Greek, Logic and Sacred Scripture at Uganda Martyrs National Major Seminary Alokulum in Gulu.
The late Rev. Fr. Viatori Muvunyi who was laid to rest at Kisubi Minor Seminary on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. (Photos by Mathias Mazinga)
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After saying Mass last Sunday (June 21), Rev. Fr. Viatori Muvunyi went to his bedroom to rest. Later, his brother-priests waited for him for supper, but he did not appear.
They phoned him. The call went through but he did not answer. Little did they know that Muvunyi would never wake up again.
The Prelates, L-R: Msgr. Rogers Kabuye, Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere, archbishop Dr. Augustine Kasujja and Fr. Pius Male Ssentumbwe laying a wreath on the casket bearing the remains of Fr. Viatori Muvunyi during the requiem mass at Kisubi Minor Seminary on Entebbe Road, in Wakiso district on Tuesday, June 23, 2026.
The 34-year-old priest of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kampala had died in his sleep. His concerned colleagues found him unresponsive when they opened his room.
The Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Dr Augustine Kasujja, was among the many Catholic clerics who concelebrated the Requiem Mass.
It emerged that the youthful cleric was granted sick leave after he reported feeling unwell in January this year.
Following his return from leave, he stayed at the residence of Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere at Rubaga, where he was active in the priestly ministry as he received medical treatment — until his demise.
Muvunyi was a clerical formator and teacher of Greek, Logic and Sacred Scripture at Uganda Martyrs National Major Seminary Alokulum in Gulu.
During his Requiem Mass, glowing tributes were paid to the late priest.
ViFr. Muvunyi's mother (fourth-left) being supported by relatives as she lays a wreath on the casket bearing his remains.
“He was a man of deep faith. He loved God. He preached the Gospel with joy and zeal. He spent most of his time in prayer, in the chapel," he eulogized.
"He always found time to meditate on the Word of God. He had a deep devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. He loved to serve his God.
"No wonder, the bishops identified him and appointed him to Alokulum Seminary to teach and form future priests."
Fr Joseph Ssekannyo, the Rector of Alokulum National Major Seminary, said Muvunyi was so much committed to his duties that in just a short period of about six months that he spent at the seminary, the impact and legacy he left was everlasting.
The late priest's brother, only identified as Joseph, revealed that prior to his death, Muvunyi had finalized plans to study law.
Muvunyi at a glance
Fr Dr Pius Male Ssentumbwe, the Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Kampala, presented a fact file of Muvunyi.
He was born on July 17, 1992, to Margaret Nankya and the late Elias Bakina, who lived in Makindye.
He attended Luwafu Parents Primary School in Makindye, Crested Crane SSS Makindye, Sacred Heart Minor Seminary Mubende (A-Level), Alokulum National Major Seminary, Gulu (Philosophy) and St Mary’s National Seminary Ggaba (Theology).
The seminarians from Uganda Martyrs National Major Seminary Alokulum laying a wreath on the casket of Fr. Viatori Muvunyi during the funeral mass at Kisubi Minor Seminary on Entebbe Road, in Wakiso district on Tuesday, June 23, 2026.
Muvunyi was ordained a priest by Archbishop Ssemogerere at Rubaga Cathedral on August 13, 2022.
He was subsequently appointed to Naggulu parish, and later Mitala-Maria parish as a curate, before being appointed to Alokulum National Major Seminary as a formator/teacher in August 2025.