Clergy mourn Bishop Kaggwa

RELIGION | DEATH | BISHOP KAGGWA

KAMPALA - The Catholic Church in Uganda is mourning the death of retired bishop of Masaka Diocese, John Baptist Kaggwa. He will be buried today, Saturday (January 23, 2021) at Priests’ graveyard at Bukalasa at 2 pm.

However, below is what different clergy and people said about him.

Bishop John Baptist Kaggwa

Bishop Sabino Ocan Odoki of Arua diocese

Bishop Kaggwa was a committed bishop and was chairman of Vocations in Episcopal Conference since 1999, the capacity he served well, that is the time I became to know him because I was by then rector in the seminary of Uganda Martyrs National Major Seminary Alokolum in Gulu from 1996-2007 but bishop Kaggwa was very supportive.

He used to drive in fluently to come and visit us with a lot of concern, and by then Alokolum was a war zone.

He was a special and hardworking priest; the time he was rector of St Mbaaga Ggaba in 1980-1982 we used to see him.  He had unique charters. I have learnt many things from him; to love more my church generally he was a good example.

Bishop Kaggwa with other bishops and Papal Nuncio, Lugigi Bianco on Bishop Serverus Jjumba’s installation on July 6, 2019. Photos by Juliet Lukwago

Bishop Serverus Jjumba, his successor

He has left a legacy in Masaka and will be remembered for many things, he was a parent, simple, humble, advisor, and straight forward to the point of what he tells you.  

He was surely respected and beloved, particularly for his leadership, spiritual guidance, and fatherly care and as a good shepherd to the people of God in our Diocese.

People selling bishop Kaggwa's photos after the Requeim Mass at Lubaga Cathedral on Friday January 22, 2021

Bishop Matthias Ssekamaanya retired bishop of Lugazi

I knew him for a long time; we were together in Kisubi Seminary and later went to Katigondo National Major Seminary.

He loved his church and service too much, even if he was retired but he was still serving his church. 

He was a caring shepherd to Christians not only in his diocese but in the whole country. He was moving here and there to serve the flock.  He served the diocese well, and he helped many.

Bishop Kaggwa will be buried on today, Saturday (January 23, 2021) at Priests’ graveyard at Bukalasa at 2 pm.

His sister Teddy Ssentamu

Bishop Kaggwa, being that he was the heir of our father Matia Ssentamu, took all the responsibilities.

He was our daddy, good parent who was taking care of everyone.  We were born 14 children, but 6 including him passed on now we remain eight. Four boys and 4 girls.

We last saw Baaba (bishop) at burial of our aunt Ssebuggwawo on the last Sunday before Christmas last year, he was well and after burial, he went back to Masaka.  We have nothing to do let his soul rest in peace.

Msgr John Baptist Kauta, secretary of Catholic Episcopal Conference  

Bishop Kaggwa was a bishop of his kind, a wonderful priest, caring and worked for unity wherever he was, generally, he was a special man.

He deserved the best. His death is a great loss.

Bishop JB Kaggwa with his sucessor bishop S. Jjumba on a fundraising dinner for the latter’s consecration at Imperial Royale Hotel.

Robert Ssempa, Christian of Nsambya Parish 

I first met Bishop Kaggwa when he was still the Parish-Priest of Christ the King Kampala, and I came to know him well because I was working with the wife of his brother Dr Makumbi before going to Rome for further studies. 

When he came back in 1995 I was the chairman of Lubaga Cathedral Foundation and I got a chance to go and welcome him. 

But what I realised was Bishop Kaggwa was a very good preacher, if it was economic, he touched on people’s concerns.  He was straight forward to the point, very humble and simple.

Mourners attending a mass at Rubanga yesterday.

Emmanuel Katongole, Chief Executive Officer of Cipla Quality Chemical Industries Ltd

For me and my family, there are special moments that made me break down. He was living a simple life which led me and my friend Joseph Yiga to realise that Bishop Kaggwa was a humble and simple man.  

We mourn, cry and at the same time celebrate the life of a great man of God, a precious friend, mentor and a fearless shepherd. Rest in peace bishop.

Bishop Katumba of Anglican Diocese Masaka

The news of the death of God’s shepherd bishop John Baptist Kaggwa is pity news and arming, my dear Christians I give you hope, but as always, let us continue praying for him.

My dear brother bishop Jjumba, Christians and all people of God in greater Masaka, the Luganda words says “nga kitalo” but let us just pray for him, because he did his work well, he evangelised the word of God, he was the voice of the voiceless in all difficult times.