Fr. Kitanywa to be buried at Nabbingo

PIC: Fr. Pio lived a selfless life and had passion for the sicka and needy

OBITUARY

Warm tributes are being paid to Fr Pio Kitanywa, a senior priest of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Kampala, who died on Sunday at the age of 96.

Kitanywa’s remains are currently laying in sacerdotal majesty at the Catholic Church of Our Lady of Visitation, Nabbingo (in Wakiso district), where he will be buried later today. The funeral mass will start at 2:00pm.

Kitanywa was one of the curates at Nabbingo parish. Prior to his death, he was staying at Mapeera Bakateyamba’s Home, Nalukolongo, where he was receiving specialized care and treatment.

During the vigil masses that were said at the church, several clerics and lay Christians spoke highly of Fr Kitanywa’s inspiring sacerdotal commitment.

PIC: Fr. Charles Kamya sprinkles holy water on the casket containing the remains of his late uncle, Fr Pio Kitanywa during the vigil mass at Nabbingo Catholic parish on Sunday. (Credit: Mathias Mazinga)

Fr Christopher Kiwanuka, one of the resident priests of Nabbingo, described Kitanywa as a wonderful preacher, who was also passionate about the sick.

“He preached the word of God with joy and zeal. He would leave food at the dining and go out to anoint and console the sick. He was exemplary in all aspects.”

Fr Charles Kamya, a biological nephew, said of his uncle. “We praise God for the great things he has enabled my uncle to do for the Church, the country and the family. He trained many priests when he was Rector at Kisubi Minor Seminary and later teaching staff-member at Nyenga Seminary. We shall always remember his love and commitment to his priesthood.”

 PIC: Rev Fr Charles Kamya (left) pays his last respects to Fr. Pio

Fr Joseph Senkaali also said: “My uncle Fr Kitanywa had a deep understanding of the Catholic Sacraments. He always used the Sacraments to reconcile and bring people back to God.”

Fredrick Musisi Kabuye, a lay leader at the parish, referred to Kitanywa as a priest with “rare pastoral zeal.”

Stephen Ssenkaaba, a former student of Kitanywa at Nyenga Seminary, also has lovely memories of Kitanywa. “He was a skilled teacher of Mathematics, Latin and Luganda. He was also a great disciplinarian. If you came late for his lesson, he would not allow you into the classroom. Throughout our stay at the seminary, we never saw him wearing a plain clerical shirt. He donned his immaculate white cassock, both during day and during night. Interestingly, he was also a great player of chess. Surprisingly, it would not take him more than a minute to win the game.”

PIC:  Parishioners of Nabbingo paying their last respects to Fr Pio Kitanywa

 PIC: Fr. Kamya blesses the remains of Fr. Pio