The musical-speaking priest

ALTHOUGH he has not attracted enormous media attention, Rev. Fr. Paul Okoth, the assistant priest of St. Austin’s Catholic Church, Mbale, Tororo Archdiocese, is one of the priests of the Roman Catholic Church, who are endowed with the gift of music.

Fr. Okoth has written several musical pieces for Catholic liturgy and urban contemporary charismatic praise and worship.

He has, unfortunately, not been able to record his songs, because of insufficient financial resources.
Recently, Okoth has finally prevailed over the unfavourable financial situations and managed to release his maiden album.

The album, Amazing Grace is creatively done. If you love the Ugandan traditional vibes of eastern Uganda, rest assured of an ecstatic effect as you listen to the song Yezu Lwongin (Japadhola for God calls you).
Sung in a mixture of Lumasaba, Luganda, Swahili and Jopadhola. The mid-tempo song is spiced with the Fumbo groove of the Jopadhola.

The gospel ballad Carry your Cross is arguably Fr. Okoth’s masterpiece. The slow gospel rock has a contemplative progression, which makes it a very beautiful meditative item.

Amazing Grace and Wake up my people, are renditions of popular Christian hymns, which Okoth improved with more rhythms and instruments.

The album also has songs like the Latin Tantum Ergo (for adoration of the Blessed Sacrament) and Christmas Eve.

Fr. Okoth also plays instruments like the piano, organ, guitar, violin and trumpet with admirable expertise.

But further to being a musical genius, Fr. Okoth is also a charismatic preacher and counsellor, who has restored broken relationships during his two decade ministry.

Okoth has conducted several retreats and popular missions, during which many Christians claim to have received miraculous healings and deliverance.

FR. OKOTH’S PERSONAL TESTIMONY
In the earlier years of my priesthood, I didn’t know I had the gift of healing, although I had total conviction in God’s power to deliver and heal his people supernaturally,” he says.

FR. OKOTH’S BACKGROUND
Fr. Paul Okoth was born in 1963, in Tororo, to Evelyn Alowo a teacher and Paul Okoth an engineer. He is the fifth of a family of 11 children.

He attended Elgon View PS, Rock View, and Kisoko Boarding Primary School, Tororo. After P7, Okoth joined Nagongera Minor Seminary, out of passion for the piano from 1976 to 1979.

After his A-Level at St. Mary’s College, Kisubi, Okoth joined Katigondo National Major Seminary in 1982 and later Ggaba National Seminary 1986 to 1989.

He was ordained by Archbishop James Odongo, in 1989. Fr. Okoth worked at Sipi parish, Nagongera Seminary, Gangama parish and Situmi parish.

In 2000, he went to the US, where he spent 5 years on a counseling programme. Upon his return, he was posted to Budaka parish, from where he was transferred to St. Austin’s Church.