Rev Canon Muhumuza’s death leaves his community in limbo
Feb 25, 2010
THERE is a saying that big men do not cry, but the Bishop of North Kigezi Diocese Rt. Dr. Edward Muhima could not hold back his tears or even finish his speech at the funeral service for his diocesan secretary Late Rev Canon John Muhumuza on February 10, at Kinyasano. He died due to suspected hypert
By Patson Baraire
in Rukungiri
THERE is a saying that big men do not cry, but the Bishop of North Kigezi Diocese Rt. Dr. Edward Muhima could not hold back his tears or even finish his speech at the funeral service for his diocesan secretary Late Rev Canon John Muhumuza on February 10, at Kinyasano. He died due to suspected hypertension coupled with diabetes.
The late Muhumuza was called to be with the Lord on February 9, 2010 at the prime age of 58, just when he was preparing to take on the mantle of the diocese leadership, when Bishop Muhima retires in two years’ time.
Bishop Muhima, who was not at the Diocese when Rev Muhumuza breathed his last, only arrived in time to pay his last respects to Muhumuza at the funeral service.
Every Christian in the diocese had become accustomed to Rev Muhumuza’s smile and friendliness, which embraced all, regardless of tribe, age or religion. This was evident by the throng of mourners who turned up at St Emmanuel’s Cathedral, the diocesan seat. The atmosphere was sombre and most of the mourners were speechless.
Rev. Muhumuza was the de facto number two in the diocesan hierarchy and was in charge of the day-to-day running of the diocesan affairs, which he did with zest, according to Rev. Fred Tumusiime. Tumusiime saw him rise from a youth worker to the most prestigious post in the diocese.
How he died
On the day he died, Rev. Muhumuza, who was a well-known workaholic, spent most of that morning in his office at Kinyasano. He went home for lunch and was on his way to back when disaster struck in front of his office where he collapsed.
Rev Amos Katushabe, who saw him collapse from his residence, described his last movements as that of a man who had a task to accomplish. Indeed, unfinished work was later found on his desk, awaiting signatures and recommendation.
“He moved with vitality and showed strength, but just before he entered his office, he just collapsed and when we rushed to help him, within seconds he was already very weak and we rushed to hospital (Nyakibale), well knowing that he could recover, but he died,†Katushabe said.
The Rev Dr Jack Kabahikyeyo, the bishops’ commissar, described the late Muhumuza as an exceptionally gifted leader who knew what to do and desired to achieve results however much or hard the task was.
“His resilience and vitality in doing his assignments was of full commitment to the extent that he sometimes skipped his lunch break in order to beat the deadline or realise real results,†Kabahikyeyo said.
“His integrity was unquestionable and his administrative qualities were admired by the young and old, to the extent that he did not even need an assistant,†Rev Erick Kamuteera who has taken over from him as acting diocesan secretary said.
Muhumuza was appointed diocesan secretary in 2000 by the then Bishop John Wilson Kahigwa, now retired.
“I saw in him a person of great potential to lead others and because of his patience, carefulness, hardworking and supportive ability to adapt to different situations, he was an instant admirer of whoever worked with him,†Kahigwa, who led the funeral service, said.
During his eulogy, Rujumbura MP Hon. Jim Muhwezi, said he first met the departed reverend in 1997 while he served as an archdeacon at Kakinga, but could not believe it because he was used to seeing elderly archdeacons.
Hon. Muhwezi said his methods of work endeared him to many and even attracted the attention of President Museveni, who got to know him personally. In fact, the President sent sh2m as contribution to the burial expenses through Muhwezi.
During his tenure as diocesan secretary, Muhumuza was instrumental in restructuring the staff, streamlining and creating several departments and appointed capable and qualified people to head them.
Within a short time, the diocese became a self-sustaining institution with little dependence on donor funds.
Muhumuza’s widow, Jolly, described her husband as a loving father who, despite his heavy work schedule, spent quality time with his family and provided for their needs.
He is survived by nine children — three girls and six boys — and four grandchildren.
“He who believes in me will live even though he dies,†was all that could comfort the mourners as they silently said goodbye to their friend, mentor and counsellor, John, as he was fondly called.
His biography
Born on May 28, 1952, in Burombe village Ruhinda sub-county, Rukungiri District, to a local parish chief, Muhumuza attended Kashenyi Primary School and Makobore High School Kinyasano from 1970 to 1973.
He taught in Nyakinengo and Omurusheshe primary schools as a licensed teacher before enrolling for a certificate course in Theology at Bishop Braham Divinity College in Kabale in1982.
After his ordination in 1983, Muhumuza was appointed the Vicar of All Saints Church in Rukungiri town up to 1985 when he took up a diploma in theology at Uganda Christian University. He got a scholarship from the Church of Uganda for a bachelor’s degree in divinity from Cambridge University.
On his return to Uganda in 1993, Rev Muhumuza was appointed the Archdeacon of St Paul’s Kakinga COU in Kebisoni sub-county up to 2000, when he was appointed diocesan secretary.
Muhumuza married Jolly Alice Muhumuza in 1978, two years after accepting Jesus Christ as his personal saviour.
in Rukungiri
THERE is a saying that big men do not cry, but the Bishop of North Kigezi Diocese Rt. Dr. Edward Muhima could not hold back his tears or even finish his speech at the funeral service for his diocesan secretary Late Rev Canon John Muhumuza on February 10, at Kinyasano. He died due to suspected hypertension coupled with diabetes.
The late Muhumuza was called to be with the Lord on February 9, 2010 at the prime age of 58, just when he was preparing to take on the mantle of the diocese leadership, when Bishop Muhima retires in two years’ time.
Bishop Muhima, who was not at the Diocese when Rev Muhumuza breathed his last, only arrived in time to pay his last respects to Muhumuza at the funeral service.
Every Christian in the diocese had become accustomed to Rev Muhumuza’s smile and friendliness, which embraced all, regardless of tribe, age or religion. This was evident by the throng of mourners who turned up at St Emmanuel’s Cathedral, the diocesan seat. The atmosphere was sombre and most of the mourners were speechless.
Rev. Muhumuza was the de facto number two in the diocesan hierarchy and was in charge of the day-to-day running of the diocesan affairs, which he did with zest, according to Rev. Fred Tumusiime. Tumusiime saw him rise from a youth worker to the most prestigious post in the diocese.
How he died
On the day he died, Rev. Muhumuza, who was a well-known workaholic, spent most of that morning in his office at Kinyasano. He went home for lunch and was on his way to back when disaster struck in front of his office where he collapsed.
Rev Amos Katushabe, who saw him collapse from his residence, described his last movements as that of a man who had a task to accomplish. Indeed, unfinished work was later found on his desk, awaiting signatures and recommendation.
“He moved with vitality and showed strength, but just before he entered his office, he just collapsed and when we rushed to help him, within seconds he was already very weak and we rushed to hospital (Nyakibale), well knowing that he could recover, but he died,†Katushabe said.
The Rev Dr Jack Kabahikyeyo, the bishops’ commissar, described the late Muhumuza as an exceptionally gifted leader who knew what to do and desired to achieve results however much or hard the task was.
“His resilience and vitality in doing his assignments was of full commitment to the extent that he sometimes skipped his lunch break in order to beat the deadline or realise real results,†Kabahikyeyo said.
“His integrity was unquestionable and his administrative qualities were admired by the young and old, to the extent that he did not even need an assistant,†Rev Erick Kamuteera who has taken over from him as acting diocesan secretary said.
Muhumuza was appointed diocesan secretary in 2000 by the then Bishop John Wilson Kahigwa, now retired.
“I saw in him a person of great potential to lead others and because of his patience, carefulness, hardworking and supportive ability to adapt to different situations, he was an instant admirer of whoever worked with him,†Kahigwa, who led the funeral service, said.
During his eulogy, Rujumbura MP Hon. Jim Muhwezi, said he first met the departed reverend in 1997 while he served as an archdeacon at Kakinga, but could not believe it because he was used to seeing elderly archdeacons.
Hon. Muhwezi said his methods of work endeared him to many and even attracted the attention of President Museveni, who got to know him personally. In fact, the President sent sh2m as contribution to the burial expenses through Muhwezi.
During his tenure as diocesan secretary, Muhumuza was instrumental in restructuring the staff, streamlining and creating several departments and appointed capable and qualified people to head them.
Within a short time, the diocese became a self-sustaining institution with little dependence on donor funds.
Muhumuza’s widow, Jolly, described her husband as a loving father who, despite his heavy work schedule, spent quality time with his family and provided for their needs.
He is survived by nine children — three girls and six boys — and four grandchildren.
“He who believes in me will live even though he dies,†was all that could comfort the mourners as they silently said goodbye to their friend, mentor and counsellor, John, as he was fondly called.
His biography
Born on May 28, 1952, in Burombe village Ruhinda sub-county, Rukungiri District, to a local parish chief, Muhumuza attended Kashenyi Primary School and Makobore High School Kinyasano from 1970 to 1973.
He taught in Nyakinengo and Omurusheshe primary schools as a licensed teacher before enrolling for a certificate course in Theology at Bishop Braham Divinity College in Kabale in1982.
After his ordination in 1983, Muhumuza was appointed the Vicar of All Saints Church in Rukungiri town up to 1985 when he took up a diploma in theology at Uganda Christian University. He got a scholarship from the Church of Uganda for a bachelor’s degree in divinity from Cambridge University.
On his return to Uganda in 1993, Rev Muhumuza was appointed the Archdeacon of St Paul’s Kakinga COU in Kebisoni sub-county up to 2000, when he was appointed diocesan secretary.
Muhumuza married Jolly Alice Muhumuza in 1978, two years after accepting Jesus Christ as his personal saviour.