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CELEBRATING LIFE 

By Annette Butukaine

Your glory appeared with the eclipse of the sun. As nations converged in northern Uganda, we converged at Mbarara Intensive Care. 

As they watched the moon cover the sun, we gathered to see you take your flight. 

As nationals welcomed each other in excitement, the heavens, too, were prepared for your victory!

Little did we know we were with you in your last hours. We hardly knew it was a time set aside for God to unite with His beloved, setting the total hybrid eclipse in the sky as a sign to accompany. 

His son. You lived like a torch in the night, like sun rays on a beautiful Sunday morning, and a hope to the vulnerable. 

How few knew the true value of your life, I thought. But three days later, like the clouds retiring on a cold, quiet evening, so did you. A soul set free as you were being born into your other greater glory, a moment of silence crept in. 

And in that silence, we felt an assurance. An oath that your life was hidden with Christ. Thousands of saints confirmed your walk of life from Ruharo Cathedral to your resting holy home. 

Testimonies upon testimonies set the night ablaze with splendour, a hope to the desperate and trust to the despairing. 

A blueprint for all Christians at the end of the road. You were not here, but risen into your eternal rest, soared into your everlasting glory. Eighty-one years of peaceful, unspoken character were confirmed by everyone you came across. 

Glory to God, who allowed us to see His masterpiece. Bye-bye, Dad, but not forever. We shall shake hands and see each other’s smile once again! 

Thank you.............

As a family, we would like to thank all those who assisted us during the trying moment. 
We thank the First Family, President Yoweri Museveni, Bishop Sheldon Mwesigwa, Bishop John Muhanguzi, the clergy, and all members of Ruharo Cathedral Church. 

We also thank the entire Covenant Nations Church, Dr. Bahendeka, Dr. Patrick Mpeirwe, and the Uganda Revenue Authority. 

We also thank our relatives and friends. May God bless you all! The Rev. Canon P. R Butukaine died at 81 years of age.

The writer is the daughter of the Rev. P.R. Butukaine