The Mbarara Archbishop emeritus, Paul Kaamuza Bakyenga has died.
Bakyenga who was the Archbishop of Mbarara from January 2, 1999 until April 25, 2020 died today morning at Nsambya hospital in Kampala.
Archbishop The Most Rev. Lambert Bainomugisha confirmed the sad news in an announcement statement signed by Diocesan Chancellor Fr Mukasa Balikudembe.
A fourth born in a family of 10 children of Sipiriano Kaamuza and Maria Gakibayo of Bumbaire, Igara in Bushenyi District, Archbishop Bakyenga was born on June 30, 1944.
He went to Ibaare Primary School, before he joined Ibanda Preparatory Seminary from 1958 to 1960 and in 1961, he joined Kitabi Seminary, where he graduated with a High School Diploma.
He was admitted to Bukalasa Minor Seminary, in present-day Kalungu District for his A-Level studies but he did not complete.
After teaching briefly at Rushoroza Seminary, in Kabale District, he was then admitted at Katigondo Major Seminary, in Kalungu District to study philosophy but abandoned the course after two years.
At this point, Bishop John Baptist Kakubi of Mbarara, sent him to study at St Andrews College in Scotland, where he obtained a degree in Theology
At this point, Bishop John Baptist Kakubi of Mbarara, sent him to study at St Andrews College in Scotland, where he would obtain a degree in Theology.
He was ordained a priest on July 11, 1971 at Mushenga parish at the age of 27 and eighteen years later, 45-year-old Bakyenga was appointed bishop.
He has also served as Chaplain of Ntare School in Mbarara, Rector of Kitabi Seminary, and Rector of Ggaba National Seminary from 1985 to 1989, when he was appointed bishop and succeeded Bishop John Baptist Kakubi as the Bishop of Mbarara on November 23, 1991.
On January 2nd, 1999, Pope John Paul II appointed Bakyenga archbishop at the age of 55.
Pope Francis accepted his resignation on 25th April 2020 and appointed Auxiliary Bishop Lambert Bainomugisha as the Archbishop of Mbarara, Uganda.
Rev Fr Charles Mutabaruka, the communications director of the Mbarara Archdiocese said they are still organising all the details.
