Gulu Archdiocese mourns late Rev Fr. Caesar Nyeko Waibi

The late Rev. Fr. Caesar Nyeko Waibi, who succumbed of Kidney failure at Mulago Hospital, was born on the 19th September, 1956 at Patongo Parish to Fabiano Waibi Oyom (R.I.P) of Kopicoi Pa molo clan in Paimol and Rebeka Akulu (RIP).

Fr. Caesar comes from a family of six children, himself inclusive: four brothers (Aldo Okot, Bernard Otim, John Arop Omeri, Edward Mutesa), and one sister (Anna Maria Akidi). He was the second born in the family.

Rev. Fr. Caesar Nyeko was baptized in the Catholic faith on 22nd October, at St. Joseph's Parish (Patongo). On the 24th November, 1967 he received first Holy Communion at Immaculate Conception of Lourdes Parish (Kitgum Mission). He received confirmation on 11th March, 1968 at Kitgum Mission Parish from His Lordship Bishop John Baptist Cesana.

SEMINARY FORMATION AND ACADEMIC LIFE

Rev. Fr. Caesar Nyeko began his preparatory formal primary education when he was still very young at Kaladima-Olwal Lamogi then in Gulu District, and later continued his primary education in Kitgum.

In 1974, He entered the Minor Seminary of Aboke in Lira Diocese where he studied Senior 1 & 2 till the end of 1975. He then continued his Minor Seminary formation in Lacor from 1976-1977 for Senior 3 & 4, where he obtained the East African Certificate of Education (E.A.C.E)-Ordinary level (‘O' Level).

After Lacor Minor Seminary, Fr. Caesar joined the Major Seminary for higher Ecclesiastical study in Philosophy at Katigondo National Major Seminary in Masaka from 1978-1981 where he obtained a Diploma in Philosophy and Religious Studies.

In May 1982, he joined St. Mary's National Major Seminary Ggaba where he completed his higher ecclesiastical study in May1985 with a Diploma in Theological and Pastoral Studies.

Fr. Caesar received the ministries of Lector and Acolyte on the 8th September, 1983 from Lacor Minor Seminary-Gulu. He was ordained deacon of the Catholic Church from St. Joseph's Cathedral on 12th August 1984 and was effectively incardinated into the then Diocese of Gulu. And on 31st August, 1985 he was ordained to the Priesthood from Gulu Cathedral.

Both ordinations were administered by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Cypriano Dr. Kihangire. He celebrated his first/thanksgiving mass in the Church of Holy Rosary Parish (Gulu Town).

In 1998, Fr. Caesar did a short course at Rubaga Social Training Center where he obtained a certificate in Administrative Management.

WORK EXPERIENCES/RESPONSIBILITIES

From the time of his ordination, Fr. Caesar Nyeko Waibi, worked in many places in different capacities in the Archdiocese of Gulu, where he worked as:
-Private Secretary of the Bishop of Gulu Diocese (1985 - 1989).
-Curate, Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish- Madi-Opei (1990).
-Temporary Administrator, Christ the King Parish-Atanga and All Saints Parish-Puranga concurrently (1991 - 1995).
-Care taker, Uganda Martyrs Parish-Palabek (January, 1995-January 1996).
-Parish Priest, Uganda Martyrs Parish-Palabek (January 1996 - 1999).
-Parish Priest, St. Joseph the Worker Parish-Minakulu-Bobi (1999 - 2000).
-Administrator, Mary Mother of the Church Parish-Atiak (2001 - 2009). While he was serving at Atiak he resided at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish-Lacor due to the difficult security situation at the time offering service here as well. Also in the year 2003 when Uganda Martyrs Seminary Alokolum was displaced to Bukalasa Masaka, the Archbishop gave Fr. Caesar and Fr. Romano, his classmate, the emergency task to take care of the Seminary while residing from there.
-Curate, Uganda Martyrs' Parish-Namokora (2010-2012)
-Curate, Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish-Padibe (2012-2013)
-Curate, Christ the King Parish-Amuru (2013-2016).

At various moments in between his assignments, Fr. Caesar, especially when he was Bishop's Secretary, also served as chaplain to Onono Memorial College, the Mother House and Novitiate of the Little Sisters of Mary Immaculate of Gulu (LSMIG), and St. Mary's Hospital Lacor.

HIS VIRTUES

The Chancellor Gulu Archdiocese Rev. Fr Martine Agwee said the late Rev. Fr. Caesar Nyeko Waibi was a humble and obedient Priest. He was sociable and friendly. He loved his Priesthood and was always in touch with his authorities. He made tremendous efforts to live his Priesthood till the end through the help of his bishops. He suffered much due to his ailments but exhibited faith, patience and perseverance. He loved the prayer of the Rosary.

HIS DEATH

Fr. Martine the Chancellor said, Fr. Caesar had suffered from diabetes for 15 years and was being treated at St. Mary's Hospital Lacor.

In mid-2014 other attendant complication led to kidney failure and was referred for specialist attention at the National referral hospital of Mulago in Kampala.

Agwee explained that, In July 2015, the doctors decided to put him on dialysis twice a week as they recommended kidney transplant if possible. This became possible by God's grace as a donor was got and Fr. Caesar was scheduled to be flown to Apollo Hospital-Bangalore, India on Wednesday 13th April, 2016.

He said after a fairly bright day on Monday, 11th April, 2016, the following day Tuesday, 12th April, 2016 Fr. Caesar was taken for his regular dialysis session to ensure that he was set for the long flight the following day.

On this day, according to the doctors, his sugar level was high. During the session his blood pressure suddenly shot up and he passed on to the Father's glory at around 8.30am at the age of fifty-eight (58) years.

The late Fr. Caesar Nyeko Waibi will be laid to rest at St Joseph's Cathedral Parish Cemetery by his Grace John Baptist Odama the Archbishop of Gulu, starting with requiem mass.

APPRECIATION

The Chancellor thanks the Almighty God for a life of Rev. Fr. Caesar Nyeko Waibi for his work for the Catholic Church. He thanks his family for offering him for the work of God.

He thanks everybody who supported Fr. Caesar during his sickness materially, morally and with prayers. He thanks Fr. John Peter Olum for taking care of Fr. Caesar at Mulago when he was admitted there.

In a special way we thank Rev. Fr. William Ocora for a loving and dedicated sick care he gave to Fr. Caesar from June, 2015 till his death and was prepared to accompany him for his operation in India.

He thanks Gabriel Opira for his bravery and spirit of sacrifice for offering to donate his kidney to save the life of Fr. Caesar. He thanks all the medical personnel who have attended to Fr. Caesar and the Uganda catholic Medical Bureau.

Not forgetting Vision Group for mobilising for support and the entire Archdiocese of Gulu under the fatherly leadership of His Grace John Baptist Odama, Archbishop of Gulu for every effort made to save the life of Fr. Caesar. May we accept the will of God even in this event.

May the Lord Whom Fr. Caesar served till death graciously look upon his service and console all the bereaved in this time of grief.