VP Alupo joins hundreds at Fr. Etwap's burial in Soroti
Fr. Etwap, who was due to celebrate his priestly jubilee in 2027, was buried on September 07th at St Patrick’s Madera Cemetery. Mourners included clergy, relatives, Christians and political leaders who gathered to honour a priest whose ministry spanned several parishes in the diocese.
The Vice-President also delivered Sh0 million as a condolence pack from President Yoweri Museveni to the Christians and leadership of Soroti Catholic Diocese.
Vice-President of Uganda Maj Rtd Jessica Alupo Epel has joined the Bishop of Soroti Catholic Diocese, Rt. Rev. Dr. Joseph Eciru Oliach, and a huge congregation at the funeral of Rev. Fr. Romanus Etwap, who died in a road crash last week on September 2.
Fr. Etwap, who was due to celebrate his priestly jubilee in 2027, was buried on September 07th at St Patrick’s Madera Cemetery. Mourners included clergy, relatives, Christians and political leaders who gathered to honour a priest whose ministry spanned several parishes in the diocese.
Fr. Etwap had also spent seven years at Immaculate Conception Cathedral Parish in Soroti, where he served in administration and as rector where he served there until his death.
Alupo described the late priest as a dedicated servant of God who valued education and championed skills training for less privileged people in the communities where he served.
Alupo described the late priest as a dedicated servant of God who valued education and championed skills training for less privileged people in the communities where he served.
Quoting 2 Timothy 4:7, Alupo said Fr. Etwap had “fought a good fight, finished the race and kept the faith.”
In a homily delivered through the Chancellor of Soroti Catholic Diocese, Rev. Fr. Wazi Wazi Gonzaga Ongereny, Christians were urged to live humble lives and prepare for death because it can come at any time.
He said Christians should continuously prepare themselves spiritually rather than wait until death strikes.
The Chancellor also called on city authorities to find ways of stopping motorists from parking along highways, saying the practice contributes to road crashes and loss of lives.
Other dignitaries at the burial included: Kaberamaido Woman MP Jane Francis Amongin, Soroti East MP Moses Okia Attan, Amuria Woman MP Margaret Etilu and Soroti City Woman MP Joan Alobo Acom, among others.
Fr. Romanus Etwap was born on November 26, 1972, to the late Romanus Etwap and Regina Acipa of Moru Irion, Kalengo, Ngora. He was the last born in a family of seven children.
He was baptised at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Madera, on September 30, 1973 and received his First Holy Communion in 1981 and was confirmed in 1984.
He attended Ngora Boys Primary School and later Ngora High School before joining Alokolum National Major Seminary in Gulu, where he studied philosophy and pastoral studies.
He later pursued theological studies at St. Paul’s National Major Seminary, Kinyamasika, and obtained a Bachelor of Sacred Theology from the Pontifical Urbaniana University in Rome. He also obtained a Diploma in Advanced Educational Management from Uganda Martyrs University.
Fr. Etwap was ordained a deacon on August 11, 2001, and a priest on August 24, 2002, by Rt. Rev. Erasmus D. Wandera at Ngora Parish.
He served as Assistant Parish Priest at Kidetok from 2002 to 2005, Acting Parish Priest at Bukedea from 2005 to 2009, Parish Priest at Usuk from 2009 to 2013, Kaberamaido from 2013 to 2017 and Kidetok again from 2017 to 2019.
He then joined Immaculate Conception Cathedral Parish in 2019, where he served until his death.