Fr. Kisomose gets massive sendoff

By Mathias Mazinga

Rev. Fr. Faustinus Kisomose, a 52-year-old Catholic priest of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of  Kampala who died under mysterious circumstances on Friday was on Saturday laid to rest at St. Joseph’s Catholic parish Church, Lweza, in Wakiso district.

Kisomose’s evening funeral attracted a massive congregation of Christian mourners, which sharply contrasted his low-profile sacerdotal disposition.

Delivering his citation during the requiem mass, the Chancellor of Kampala Archdiocese, Fr. Dr. Joseph Mary Ssebunnya described Kisomose as a calm man, who also had gentle personality.

Msgr. Kasibante leads the prayers during the sendoff of Fr. Kisomose

“Fr. Kisomose was highly intelligent and hard-working. He also had a sense of organisation and smartness. He always gave well-prepared lessons and homilies. Kisomose also had a strong devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. He always wore his rosary, even if he was not in a clerical dress. Let us keep the faith he has been preaching to us.”

The Vicar General of the Metropolitan Archdiocese, who led the funeral prayers, also described Kisomose as a dutiful and gifted priest.

  Msgr. Charles Kasibante lays a wreath on Fr. Kisomoke's casket. PHOTO/Mathias Mazinga

“He had his pastoral experience at Kisubi Seminary, when I was the rector. He was a fast learner, with many gifts. He helped us to plant the seminary’s eucalyptus forest without having to buy the seedlings.”

Kisomose was also mourned by Emmanuel Cardinal Dr. Wamala, who asked the Christians to strengthen their hope in eternal life. “Death is dreadful. But as Christians, we should love it. Through death, life is transformed but not ended.”

Kisomose's body was found at the roadside in Namasuba, (a few metres off Entebbe road) on Friday morning. He had left Lweza presbytery the previous evening at 9:00pm.

Although he had been battling diabetes/high blood pressure, Kisomose’s death remains mysterious.

His post mortem report from Mulago Hospital was not read to mourners. But Fr. Ssebunnya asked the mourners to remain calm as they await the findings of police investigations.