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.
Two days after his death, Muvunyi was laid to rest at Kisubi Minor Seminary on Tuesday, just off the Entebbe-Kampala Road in Wakiso district.
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.
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.
Archbishop Ssemogerere described him as a humble and prayerful priest with a deep commitment to his sacerdotal ministry.
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."
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.