Bishop John Baptist Kakubi passes on at 86

The Catholic Church has lost a profound member of the clergy, the Rt. Rev. Bishop John Baptist Kakubi, Emeritus of Mbarara Archdiocese.

Bishop Kakubi, 86,  died at Kampala Hospital Thursday afternoon, according to Sr. Germina Keneema, the Executive Secretary for Social Communications for Mbarara Archdiocese.

The first indigenous African Bishop, John Baptist Kakubi was appointed on July 5, 1969 and ordained Bishop on August 1, 1969. He retired on November 23, 1991.

He took over from Bishop Jean Marie Ogez, who succeeded the first bishop of Mbarara, Bishop Lacoursiere F.X.

According the Chairman of Episcopal Conference, Archbishop John Baptist Odama, Kakubi was a selfless leader who focused on the development of the people.  

The auxiliary bishop of Mbarara, Lambert Bainomugisha, told The New Vision that the meetings for burial arrangements are still going on.

Bishop Kakubi once told The New Vision during an interview at the Catholic Secretariat at Nsambya, that he started his education "Mugigi" in 1939-1944.

"I am first born of late Rafaili Ziridamu of Bazigaaba clan (totem is a waterbuck) and Kandida Kiremire from Baitira clan of Bukanga in Mbarara District. I was born in Kyanyanda Village in Rugaaga sub county, Mbarara District on September 23, 1929."

He was ordained a priest on June 11, 1960. He was consecrated a bishop by Pope Paul VI at Kololo on August 1, 1969 together with retired bishop of Hoima, Edward Albert Baharagate.  

Kakubi's death comes just a month after Bishop Barnabas Halem 'Imana.