Ugandans asked to emulate Cardinal Nsubuga

RELIGION 

KAMPALA - The Metropolitan Archbishop of Kampala, Dr. Cyprian Kizito Lwanga has asked Catholics and all Ugandans, to emulate the late Emmanuel Cardinal Nsubuga's qualities of faith, charity, love, and hard work.

"Cardinal Nsubuga did many things which enabled Ugandans to taste the goodness of our God.  He loved his faith. He was proud of the Baptism he received. He was committed to the needy and suffering people. He founded institutions like Mapeera Bakateyamba's Home, Nalukolongo, the congregation of the Good Samaritan Sisters and the Brothers of St Amans. He also founded St Mbaaga's Major Seminary Ggaba, built Pope Memorial Hotel, Ndeeba and the Catholic Martyrs Shrine of Namugongo."

"Our beloved pioneer Ugandan Cardinal was also passionate about peace, reconciliation, and unity of all Ugandans. On one occasion he visited Karamoja and came back with about 15 Karimojong Children. He then lived with them in his residence and educated them until they grew up and got professions. He is also remembered for accommodating thousands of internally displaced persons during the guerrilla war of the 1980s."

Catholic priests, seminarians and nuns in procession for the memorial prayers of Cardinal Nsubuga at Mapeera Bakateyamba's Home, Nalukolongo on Saturday.

 
Archbishop Lwanga's message was delivered by his Chancellor, Fr Dr. Pius Male, who represented him at the memorial mass for the late Emmanuel Cardinal Nsubuga, which was held at Mapeera Bakateyamba's Home, Nalukolongo on Saturday.

Dr. Male spoke highly of Nsubuga, describing him as a loving, courageous and visionary religious leader, who promoted peace, reconciliation, and development.

The Very Rev. Fr Richard Nnyombi of the Catholic Missionary Society of White Fathers asked Christians to pray for the beatification and eventual canonization of the pioneer Catholic missionaries, Fr Simeon Lourdel Mapeera, and Bro Delmas Amans.

"Cardinal Nsubuga always spoke well of the White Fathers.  I personally saw him at the headquarters of the congregation in Rome, during the 80s, when he came to request our Superior General to give him someone to help him start the cause for the beatification of Fr Mapeera and Bro Amans. Let us appreciate him by making sure that his dream comes to reality."

A portrait of the late Emmanuel Cardinal Nsubuga at Mapeera Bakateyamba's home, Nalukolongo

 
Sr Mary Batulumaawo, a pioneer member of the Good Samaritan Sisters, surprised the congregation when she revealed that Cardinal Nsubuga used to sleep at the Bakateyamba's home (in Nalukolongo) every Friday and would wake up at 4:00 am in the morning, to clean, bathe and wash the clothes of the sick inmates.

The Chaplain of the Good Samaritan Sisters, Fr Ssekibaala also revealed that the Cardinal opted to be buried at Bakateyamba's home because he thought that if he were to be buried elsewhere, people would forget about his sick and elderly inmates at the home.

The Chancellor of Kampala Archdiocese, Fr Pius Male cuts the tape to commission the physiotherapy unit of Mapeera Bakateyamba's home, Nalukolongo

 
The Superior General of the Good Samaritan Sisters, Sr John Evangelist Mugisha thanked Catholics and all people of good will for supporting Mapeera Nakateyamba's Home.

She mentioned among others the perimeter wall, the clinic and the modern water-born toilets at the home as some of the successful projects that have been accomplished with the support of kind people.

During the function, Fri Pius Male commissioned the newly refurbished physiotherapy unit at the home.

Relatives of the late Emmanuel Cardinal Nsubuga, led by Fr Henry Kiwanuka Nsubuga, placing a wreath on the Prelate's mausoleum

 
The function was also graced by Cardinal Nsubuga's relatives, who were led by Fr Henry Kiwanuka Nsubuga.

Nsubuga was Archbishop of Kampala and pioneer Ugandan Cardinal. He died of cancer in Cologne, Germany, in 1991. He was subsequently buried at Mapeera Bakateyamba's Home, Nalukolongo.