Nuncio Kasujja commends late Archbishop Lwanga on ecumenism

__________________

The retired former Apostolic Nuncio to Belgium and Luxembourg, Archbishop Dr Augustine Kasujja, has paid tribute to the late Dr Cyprian Kizito Lwanga, the former Archbishop of Kampala, describing him as a highly committed priest who served the Catholic Church and the country with utmost zeal and dedication.

The Late Archbishop Dr Cyprian Kizito Lwanga.

He praised him with even greater admiration for promoting ecumenism, that is, the mutual understanding, respect and cooperation of Christians in their diversity. He further lauded him for his dynamic involvement in education, health-care and social development, and also, for his spirited advocacy for social justice, human rights and good leadership.

(L-R): Msgr. Dr Richard Kayondo, Apostolic Nuncio, Dr Augustine Kasujja, Bishop Lawrence Mukasa and Fr Kizito Ssembajjwe performing the Eucharistic rites during the memorial mass of the 5th death anniversary of Archbishop Cyprian Kizito Lwanga at Kyabakadde Catholic parish church, in Kyampisi Sub-County, Mukono district on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. (Photo by Mathias Mazinga)

“Dr Lwanga worked for the unity of Christians. Even on the Good Friday that preceded his death, he participated in the celebration of the Ecumenical Public Way of the Cross at Namirembe Cathedral. As the pioneer Bishop of Kasana-Luweero diocese and later Archbishop of Kampala, he implemented several holistic development programs that greatly improved the lives. He was committed to children and young people, which is one reason why he started associations such as Bannakizito and the Karolines. He wanted to build the moral and leadership capacities of children and the youth. He loved to help the poor and those who are suffering. He wanted all the people to be happy. He never wanted to see anybody in misery. Let us pray for him as we also try to follow his good examples,” Kasujja said while delivering his homily during the memorial mass for the late Archbishop Dr Cyprian Kizito Lwanga.

Addressing hundreds who turned up at Kyabakadde Catholic parish church, in Kyampisi Sub-county, Mukono district, on Wednesday, April 15.

Dr Kasujja defended archbishop Lwanga from critics, who always blamed him for his late arrivals. He said Lwanga would oftentimes arrive late for functions because of his ill health.

“One time, His Excellency the President (Yoweri Museveni ) called him to State House. He was late by one hour because, as he travelled, his blood pressure rose. So, he told his driver to park the car so that the condition could stabilise. So, many times he would arrive late, not because he disrespected people, but because of his health challenges, and his commitment to duty,” he said.

Kasujja also commended archbishop Lwanga for his support towards the Bible Society of Uganda, an ecumenical establishment that does the ministry of printing and distributing Bibles. He said it was because of the support and goodwill of people like archbishop Lwanga that the organisation got a dignified headquarters, that is, the new Bible House, in Kampala.

The mass was also concelebrated by the reigning Bishop of Kasana-Luweero, the Rt. Rev. Msgr. Lawrence Mukasa, the Vicar-General of Lugazi diocese, Msgr. Richard Kayondo and over 100 priests from Kampala Catholic Ecclesiastical Province.

Memorial Lecture

The memorial mass was followed by a memorial lecture under the theme: Transforming Communities through Education and Health - The contributions and works of the late Archbishop Cyprian Kizito Lwanga. The lecture at St. Cyprian High School, Kyabakadde, was delivered by Paul Mwanje Kavuma, who also highlighted the everlasting impact of archbishop Lwanga’s holistic works in the arenas of education, health care, and social development.

“His legacy was transformative and health-based. The many schools, churches and health facilities he built and rehabilitated, the many social development programs he birthed and implemented, all left a lasting positive impact on the respective beneficiaries,” Mwanje said.

The discussant, Fr Dr Lazarus Luyinda delivers his remarks. (Photo by Mathias Mazinga)

The discussant, Fr Dr Lazarus Luyinda (currently the Rector of St Mary’s National Seminary, Ggaba), put Lwanga’s episcopate in context with Jesus’ ministry. He said that just as Jesus was never understood by many people of his time, many people never understood the ideas, ways and actions of archbishop Lwanga.

“He was not a social worker. He was also not a politician. He was a people-centred person who did a people-centred ministry; a pastor guided by a clear pastoral ministry. He promoted integral development and the well-being of people. He sent priests and seminarians abroad for studies, not because there were no educational societies in Uganda, but because he wanted to prepare them for better leadership and service. His ministry was planned and organised,” Luyinda said.

Luyinda revealed that prior to his death, archbishop Lwanga had finished plans to start a new university, the proposed Pope Francis Memorial Catholic University - Ggaba University of Theology and Technological Sciences, with the main objective of producing teachers who would be well-grounded in the Catholic ethical values and principles.

The memorial events, organised by Archbishop Cyprian Kizito Lwanga Foundation, were preceded by a two-day medical camp at Kyabakadde Catholic parish-church grounds (on Monday, April 13 and Tuesday, April 14, facilitated by Lubaga Hospital and Naggalama Hospitals.