Emmanuel Cardinal Nsubuga's legacy lives on 25 years after his demise

Ugandans today mark 25 years since Emmanuel Cardinal Nsubuga Kiwanuka died at Cologne Hospital in Germany on April 20, 1991.

The late prelate, who was the first Ugandan Cardinal and head of the Catholic Church in Uganda, is remembered for his courageous leadership and for steering the Catholic church during dictator Idi Amin's time, one of the most trying political periods in Uganda's history.

Fr. Dr Joseph Mary Ssebunnya, the chancellor of Kampala Archdiocese said that today they will have a holy mass at Mapeera Bakateyamba's home to celebrate and  remember Emmanuel Cardinal Nsubuga at 3pm. The chief celebrate will be Emmanuel Cardinal Wamala, his successor.

During his time, the late Cardinal Nsubuga was referred to as a great "statesman and a far-sighted religious leader, who used to guide his flock spiritually and at the same time, warned the civic leaders against abuse of human rights.   

In the spirit of patriotism, the late Cardinal Nsubuga was mostly concerned with the sufferings of the people of Uganda in general. It is on record that he even went to an extent of asking Pope John Paul II in 1985 for permission to actively participate in the peace talks in Kenya between the NRA and Gen. Tito Okello Lutwa, who had just ousted president Milton Obote. The Holy See granted him the permission and; the prelate flew to Nairobi where he is said to have made tangible contributions in bringing the two sides together before he flew back to Kampala.

Nsubuga voice of the voiceless

The late Nsubuga is also remembered as the voice of the voiceless for his untiring fight against abuse of power and gross violation of human rights in Uganda by political leaders. He castigated mass murders committed by state agents in various parts of the country, arbitrary arrests of innocent citizens and imprisonment without trial. 

Nsubuga also visited the political prisoners in Luzira prison and in many army barracks and tried to negotiate for their release. Everywhere he went, the prisoners asked him to plead with the Government for their release.

In July 1989 the late Cardinal Nsubuga came out with a stern warning to the government, reminding them of the pledges they had made upon coming into power, particularly after the ugly incident of Mukura in Kumi District where 69 people were killed. He strongly advised the government to set up an independent commission of inquiry to investigate the matter to its final conclusion.

Nsubuga again pointed out mistakes of the past governments as other religious Leaders also do; particularly during the deadly dictator Idi Amin's regime of the 70s.

Who was Cardinal Nsubuga?

Emmanuel Kiwanuka Nsubuga was born on 5 November 1914, to Felix Nsubuga and Estella Nsubuga at Kisule village in Mityana in Kampala Archdiocese, now Kiyinda-Mityana diocese. At the age of 6 years, Nsubuga was transferred from his family and entrusted to his paternal aunt Mary Kabejja in Bukuuumi Parish Mubende district  now Kibaale, where he studied his primary education.

In August, 14th, 1930, Nsubuga left Bukuumi accompanied by senior seminarian Joseph Mukiibi to start his journey of priesthood; they passed his home at Kisuule-Mityana for the blessing from his parents

The prelate was ordained a priest in 1946, with his long friend Fr. Joseph Kyeyune now at Rubaga Cathedral Parish.  As a priest Nsubuga worked in different parishes.

Nsubuga was the first Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Kampala from 1966 to 1990 and a cardinal from 1976 until his death. He was an opponent of human rights abuses of the military dictatorship of Idi Amin.

During Amin's rule, Cardinal Nsubuga spoke against the Government's human rights abuses. He also encouraged priests and nuns throughout the country to shelter people fleeing harassment by the army during the civil war that later raged during the Government of Milton Obote.

At his 51 years of age, Nsubuga was appointed as the First Archbishop of the Metropolitan See of Kampala, receiving his Episcopal Consecration at the Nakivubo Stadium of Kampala, on October 30, 1966, from Cardinal Laurean Rugambwa, assisted by Archbishop Guido Del Mestri and Bishop Jean-Marie Ogez.

A fervent opponent of human rights abuses during military dictatorship of Idi Amin, during the latter's rule, Nsubuga spoke against the Government's human rights abuses. He also encouraged Priests and Nuns throughout the country to shelter people fleeing harassment by the army during the civil war that later raged during the Government of Milton Obote.

Archbishop Nsubuga was elevated Cardinal at the age of 61 years on May 24, 1976, by Pope Paul VI, with the title of S. Maria Nuova, becoming thus, the first Cardinal from Uganda.

During General Amin's nine-year rule, Cardinal Nsubuga spoke fearlessly against the Government's human rights abuses. General Amin was overthrown in 1979 by Tanzanian troops and Ugandan exiles.

The Cardinal also encouraged priests and nuns throughout the country to shelter people fleeing harassment by the army during the civil war that later raged during the Government of Milton Obote, who was in turn ousted by the military in August 1985.

Retiring from the Pastoral Government of his See at 75 years of age on February 8, 1990, he was succeeded by future Cardinal, Archbishop Emmanuel Wamala.

The Cardinal died shortly afterward on April 20, 1991, of blood and bone cancer in a hospital in Cologne, Germany, where he had been admitted on the previous December 5, aged 76. His remains lie buried at Nalukolongo, a home the Cardinal himself started for the destitute. Ends

What people say about him?

Emmanuel Cardinal Wamala, his successor says that Cardinal Nsubuga was a leader of all ages, humble, developmental and a person who wanted everyone that is why he built the home of destitute known as Mapeera Bakateyamba at Nalukolongo.

Fr Dr Joseph Mary Ssebunnya, Cardinal Nsubuga was the first cardinal in Uganda and we remember him very well although I was young but still I remember him very well, and today is 25 years since he passed away we know that his praying for us.

Michael Mulindwa of St Jude Parish Wakiso says that I remember very well Cardinal Nsubuga; he confirmed him in Catholic Faith when he was in primary five at St Savio Kisubi, so I can't forget him.

Maria Nakalanzi of Kasana Luweero diocese, Emmanuel Cardinal Nsubuga was a man of God who helped us during the war of 1986; I remember I was 20 years by then but he used to brought trucks and takes from war zone to Lubaga Church premises.  

Msgr Charles Kimbowa, senior secretary to the Archbishop Dr Cyprian Kizito Lwanga, who was private secretary to Cardinal Nsubuga and who wrote a book Cardinal Nsubuga still with us says that he loves his church and Ugandans that is why in war he tried his level best to save them from the danger zones.