Bamwoze to be laid to rest on Sunday

Busoga diocese has unveiled burial arrangements of its pioneer Bishop, Cyprian Bamwoze, with his send-off set to take place on Sunday.

This was after convening a meeting at Christ's Cathedral Bugembe in Jinja on Tuesday which was presided over by the diocesan bishop, Rev. Paul Samson Naimanhye.

It was attended by former minister Henry Kyemba and former Jinja resident district commissioner Richard Gulume, the president of the fathers' union Edward Kasuti and head of the laity, Proscovia Katawera.

According to the vicar of Christ's Cathedral Bugembe, Rev. Mathias Katiko, the body will be taken to Namirembe Cathedral on Thursday morning and thereafter to Parliament.

Katiko explained that the body will on the same day be taken to his home village at Nakakabala in Kamuli district and on Friday, it will be taken to the Kamuli district council hall where councillors will convene a special session to pay him tribute.

Katiko added that the body will thereafter be taken back to Nakakabala for a church service on Saturday morning before bringing it on the same day to Christ's Cathedral Bugembe for a night vigil.

Whereas Bamwoze is to be laid next to his wife, Naome Bamwoze at the Cathedral, Katiko explained that because of limited space, prayers will instead be conducted at Bugembe Stadium.

Former ministers Daudi Migereko (right) and Henry Kyemba during prayers at Christ's Cathedral Bugembe in Jinja district. Photo by Jackie Nambogga

Born in 1934 at Nakimegere village in Kamuli district, Bamwoze has been battling cancer since 2015 and he breathed his last at the Uganda Cancer Institute in Mulago on Monday morning. He served as bishop for 27 years from 1972 to 1999.

He was succeeded by the Rev. Dr Michael Sosan Kyomya who was also on January 24, 2016, replaced by Naimanhye.

Tributes

Kyemba described Bamwoze as a principled person who drew great respect from people of all walks of life.

"We are saddened by his death but one thing I know from Bamwoze is that he was a principled man. His no meant no and his yes meant it," Kyemba said.

"I wish our youths could emulate him. He was in the opposition but with a distinguished mind," he added.

Kyemba said he knew Bamwoze since 1954 when he (Bamwoze) was his prefect at Busoga College Mwiri. He said Busoga and Uganda as a country had lost a great man.

"We have lost an icon, all only that I can say is to wish him well, till we meet," he said.

Benon Kigenyi the ministry of gender, labour and social development undersecretary described Bamwoze as a very inspiring evangelist, tenacious and courageous leader.

"You have gone to the Lord, we will be forever grateful for the love you gave and the spiritual gifts you shared. May the heavens rejoice in receiving you among the angels," he concluded.