Mulago Choir honours Fr. Kabuye

Saint Donozio Ssebuggwawo Choir, an affiliate sacred musical ensemble of Mulago Catholic Church has staged a musical concert in honour of the musical ministry of Fr Dr James Kabuye,84, a renowned Church music composer and serving priest of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kiyinda-Mityana.

The concert, Naamwebaza Ntya, took place at Pope Paul Memorial Hotel, Rubaga on Sunday. During the evening concert, the choir performed the Uganda Martyrs Oatorio-Olugendo lw’e Namugongo, an operatic musical work that features Fr Kabuye’s songs about the Holy Martyrs of Uganda.

 Saint Donozio Ssebuggwawo choristers honouring Fr Kabuye (seated) with one of his songs

The choir also performed Kabuye’s popular choral pieces that included Katonda wa Bajjajjaffe, Ggwe Katonda (Te Deum) and Ye Ggwe Lwazi, which excited the congregation.

The concert was dignified with the presence of the Metropolitan Archbishop of Kampala, Dr Cyprian Kizito Lwanga, who thanked Fr Kabuye for using his musical talent to preach the gospel. He said that Kabuye’s simple but highly inspiring music helped the Christians to assimilate the gospel message, and also, to worship God better.

Fr Kabuye thanked Archbishop Lwanga for being supportive of the music composers of the Church. He also thanked St Donozio Choir for honouring him his musical ministry. Kabuye said he would continue to compose music for the Church because according to the Bible, singing for God, in this world and in heaven, is a Biblical mandate.

 The choir's instrumental accompanists in action during the concert

During the function, the choir’s fans made financial donations towards the project of recording Fr Kabuye’s music on audio and video CDs. Archbishop Lwanga donated sh1.5m towards the project. Rally driver Susan Muwonge also donated sh300,000.

The Katikkiro of Buganda, Charles Peter Mayiga was represented by the Kingdom’s minister of Cabinet affairs, Christine Mugerwa Kasule.