Compassion International ex-director succumbs to cancer .

By Juliet Waiswa                   

Death has robbed a renown evangelist, Reverend Canon Ephraim Gensi of St. Stephen Kisugu Church of Uganda, who succumbed to cancer, a condition he was been battling with for the last three years.

Gensi died at Vellore Hospital in India, on September 5, at Medanta Hospital

"Before this diagnosis, the reverend had been generally healthy and energetic in all his work," John Bahaanga, a nephew to deceased, said.

At the time of his death, Gensi was the Vicar of St. Stephen's Church where he had worked for four years. Before joining Kisugu he served St. Luke's Church Ntinda which was his home church.

He worked with Compassion International as Country Director and later on as a Regional Director. Prior to this, he worked as National Coordinator at African Evangelistic Enterprise for many years.

Gensi also worked with the African Evangelistic Enterprise and Scripture Union Uganda as Travelling Secretary after rising through the ranks. He was also a teacher at Nyakasura School.

Born in Rusheshe, Rukungiri District to the late Nathan and Irene Kashiringi on 4 March 1954, he went to Katurika Primary School, then Kigezi High School for O and A Level and later Makerere University where he graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Education. He pursued a Masters in Business Administration.

Bahaanga describes him as a man of many talents, one of which was business coupled with his concern for the youth, which led him to start schools like St. Paul's Community in Rukungiri and  Divine Primary School, and  Kiwuliriza Church of Uganda Primary School in Kampala School.

He once served as on the Board of Directors, Uganda Agency for Development (UGAFODE), City Parents School and Komamboga Children's Home.

During his lifetime, Gensi was a renown evangelist, childcare worker, counselor, entrepreneur, confidant, great friend, mentor, positive critic, spiritual leader, teacher and a wonderful father.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret and his children Caleb, Peter, Esther, Rachael and Faith as well as grandchildren.

A funeral service is scheduled  Friday at St. Stephen's Church Kisugu at 2:00pm and burial will be on Saturday 12 September at  Rusheshe, Rukungiri District.