Bishop Ddungu’s candle blows out at the dawn of new year

Jan 03, 2010

UGANDA is mourning the death of yet another one of its gallant sons, whose life and actions have impacted positively on society. The Most Rev. Dr. Adrian Kivumbi Ddungu, the Bishop Emeritus of Masaka Catholic diocese died on December 30, 2009 at St. Francis Hospital, Nsambya, after a tough battle wi

By Mathias Mazinga

UGANDA is mourning the death of yet another one of its gallant sons, whose life and actions have impacted positively on society. The Most Rev. Dr. Adrian Kivumbi Ddungu, the Bishop Emeritus of Masaka Catholic diocese died on December 30, 2009 at St. Francis Hospital, Nsambya, after a tough battle with pneumonia.

The prelate of Buddu County, Ddungu, 86, lived an admirable and fruitful lifestyle which made him a darling of people of all walks of life.

During his six-decade ministry, Ddungu has displayed rare sacerdotal qualities, to which his success as a shepherd of the Catholic Church is attributed.

Ddungu is most acknowledged for his extraordinary skill as a preacher and sharp communicator of the Gospel.
A mesmeric teacher of great eloquence, Ddungu spiced his homilies with proverbs, idioms and humour, to make the word of God sink deep into the hearts of his listeners.

His inspiring messages would also attract to him people of every age, social background and creed.

After a careful observation of Ddungu’s pastoral life, teachings and actions, Bishop John Baptist Kaggwa, who succeeded him as bishop of Masaka said of him: “He was a brave, intelligent, cautious and prudent leader who always exhibited a life of holiness, modesty and kindness.”

“He had apostolic zeal, sincerity and immense love of the Church and humanity.” Kaggwa also praised Ddungu’s passion for pastoral work, which he said was strengthened by his deep respect for human dignity and his desire for people to attain holistic development.

Ddungu was seen to be more active in spiritual affairs, which tempted some people to question his achievements in the area of socio-economic development.

But Fr. Benedict Ssettuuma, one of Ddungu’s admirers and spiritual sons correctly observed that Ddungu was deeply concerned with the material welfare of his people and he actually worked tirelessly to promote it.

“Bishop Ddungu was fully aware of the Church’s teaching that a human being is both body and soul and he worked hard to better the welfare of his people.

He attracted local and international friends and benefactors who helped him establish socio-economic and development projects for his people.”

“Dr. Ddungu nonetheless put emphasis on preaching and proper religious instruction, out of his conviction that the soul must be properly taken care of, so that the body and other dimensions of a human being can be in absolute fulfillment,” Ssettuuma observed.

Dr. Ddungu is also revered for his unique talent in music. He was a lead vocalist and organist since his early days in Bukalasa Seminary.

He also started several parish choirs in the early days of his priestly life.
Ddungu’s biggest achievement in the area of church music is the magnificent and gigantic pipe organ, which he built at Kitovu Cathedral in Masaka.

This was in observance of the recommendations of the Vatican Councils in which he personally participated, which recommended the pipe organ as the ideal instrument for use during worship.

Ddungu’s pipe organ is believed to be the best and most modern in East Africa. Its glorious sounds help the worshippers at Kitovu to reflect more and internalise the reality of God’s majesty, glory and power.

The pipe organ at Kitovu will remain a concrete immortalisation of Dr. Ddungu, who was also a conductor and organist.
He will also be remembered for his music album on which he sings the White Fathers’ chants, accompanied by the late pianist, Tony Ssengo.

Ddungu was also a great lover of knowledge. Fr. Peter Bakka, another one of his admirers, says of him: “Even in his old age, he continued to study and do research to further his knowledge.

This can best be testified by the library he set up at his retirement residence in Villa-Maria.” “He also had deep respect for people, regardless of their age and social status.”

In 2001, Nkumba University gave Bishop Ddungu an honorary doctorate (doctor of letters) in recognition of his contribution to the development of Uganda through his inspirational homilies and pastoral work.

The award followed a paper that Ddungu presented skillfully at Hotel Equatoria under the theme “For Culture’s Sake, Educate for Life.”

Ddungu was also a great nationalist and pan-Africanist who always showed great interest for Uganda and Africa to have peace and development.

He also loved his Ganda culture and worked hard to preserve it.
But Ddungu was also tough on people who exaggerated certain aspects of culture and subsequently destroyed their purposes.

Delivering the annual Archbishop Joseph Kiwanuka Memorial lecture in Kampala, Ddungu opposed what he called “the sub-culture of expensive introduction and wedding ceremonies.”

He observed that the undue competition in these ceremonies had scared many young men from marrying and actually turned young girls into commercial commodities.

Ddungu was also acknowledged widely for his rare skill in languages.
He was fluent in German, Italian, French, Latin, Greek, Hebrew, Luganda and Lutooro.

Ddungu’s humble, prudent and respectful character; his eloquence, authoritative teaching; his struggle for children’s rights; his immense love for the Church, humanity and his passion for justice, peace and development in Uganda, are some of the qualities that made Ddungu stand out.

Bishop Ddungu’s biography/b>
His Excellency Dr. Adrina Kivumbi Ddungu was born at Ssango, Nazareth parish in Masaka on July 15, 1923.
He is the third of the twelve children of Blandina Nakabugo and Petro Lugwana.

He studied at Nkoni Primary School and Kyamaganda Primary Schools, before joining Bukalasa Minor Seminary in 1939.
In 1946, he joined Katigondo major Seminary, from where, after only six months, he went to Collegio Urbano, in Italy for Philosophy and Theology.

He was ordained a deacon on December 7, 1951 and, on December 21, 1952, he was ordained a priest, in Rome. After his ordination, he worked at Narozaali and Matale parishes, between 1954 and 1960.

Ddungu also taught pastoral Theology and Philosophy at Katigondo Major Seminary, before his appointment as Bishop in 1960.

He was consecrated a bishop at Bukalasa Seminary on March 18, 1962.
He succeeded Joseph Kiwanuka, who was the first black African bishop, South of the Sahara
He retired in January 10, 1998 at Villa Maria parish, where he stayed until his death.

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