Kabuye composes Pope's theme song

By Mathias Mazinga

An elderly priest of renowned music prowess has composed two songs in honour of the Pope’s visit. Rev. Fr. Dr. James Kabuye, 81, has released a new hymn, You will be my witnesses.

It will be the theme song for the visit of Pope Francis next week.

The hymn is drawn from the words of Jesus in Acts 1:8 where he calls on his disciples to be his witnesses. Another song is entitled Ekinyegenyege (the excitement).

Both songs are done in the western musical genre.

Kabuye said of his papal hymns: “I just praise and thank God for his unending favours to me. Who am I to compose songs for the Vicar of Christ? God is so good indeed.”

Kabuye, a priest in the diocese of Kiyinda-Mityana, has a rich musical legacy, which dates back to the 1950s.

He has composed over 1,000 hymns for the Catholic Church.

One of Kabuye’s most admired musical pieces is Ye Ggwe Lwazi (You are the rock), which was sung as an introductory hymn during the Pontifical Mass of Pope John Paul II at Namugongo Martyrs Shrine in 1993.

It is based on the Gospel of Matthew 16:18-19, where Jesus is quoted as giving Peter authority to head the church.

Ye Ggwe Lwazi is arguably one of Kabuye’s masterpieces. Although it is meant for the Pope, the song has featured prominently in local and international musical festivals, owing to its musicality.

It starts beautifully with a slow tempo, romantic movement. It then becomes more fabulous before climaxing into high-tempo polyphonic alleluia lyrics in the semi-quaver arrangement.

During the same mass, Kabuye’s other song, Katonda ow’obuyinza kuuma Paapa (Mighty God, protect the Pope), was sung during the recession.

Kabuye’s traditional Ganda song, Paapa Ajja (the Pope is coming), also featured prominently during Pope John Paul’s visit.

Kabuye was born on January 14, 1934. He is the only surviving child of Pia Alibayagadde and Catechist Baziwandiika, who lived at Ttanda in Mityana.

He studied at Naluggi Primary School, Bukalasa Minor Seminary and Katigondo National Major Seminary. He became priest in 1962 and was sent to Switzerland a year later to study music in Marian College, Indianapolis, US.

He is currently stationed at Kiyinda-Mityana Catechetical Training Centre.