Advertisement

Catholic Archbishop in Uganda Remembers Predecessor for Defending “rights of downtrodden”

Late Archbishop Cyprian Kizito Lwanga during SECAM's Golden Jubilee in Uganda in July 2019. Credit: SECAM

The Local Ordinary of Uganda’s Kampala Archdiocese has remembered his immediate predecessor who died in April last year as one who stood up for the rights of the “downtrodden” and “spoke truth to power.” 

Archbishop Cyprian Kitizo Lwanga reportedly succumbed to a heart attack hours after giving the homily during an ecumenical Way of the Cross on Good Friday last year, 2 April 2021. 

In his homily at the Holy Mass to commemorate the first anniversary of his predecessor's demise, Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere said the late Catholic Church leader manifested the image of Christ the Good Shepherd. 

“Despite the suffering he endured in carrying out his responsibilities, he did not abandon the flock. He did not flee for fear of the wolves. He defended the flock with all his might and resources at his disposal,” Archbishop Ssemogerere said Sunday, April 3. 

The Local Ordinary of Kampala Archdiocese said that his immediate predecessor who passed on at the age of 68 "was uncompromising in standing for and defending the truth, and he spoke truth to power." 

Advertisement

"He raised his voice for the voiceless sheep and defended the rights of the downtrodden against the violence of the mighty. He was a great advocate of peace and justice, and for this, he carried his cross to Calvary,” Archbishop who has been at the helm of the Ugandan Archdiocese since January 25 said about his predecessor.

The late Archbishop Kizito Lwanga who had been the Local Ordinary of Kampala Archdiocese since September 2006 "also worked tirelessly for the integral growth and development of God's People, in accordance with his Motto, 'Ora et Labora ut habeant Vitam' (Pray and Work, that you may have life),” Archbishop Ssemogerere said. 

The 65-year-old Ugandan Archbishop added in reference to the late Catholic Archbishop, “Like Jesus Christ, he gave his entire life, energy, intelligence and all he had for the good of the People of God had placed in his care."

“We pray that the Almighty and Merciful God may grant him eternal rest. Eternal Rest Grant unto him O Lord, and Let your Perpetual Light shine upon him, and may he rest in peace, Amen!" Archbishop Ssemogerere implored.  

The late Ugandan Archbishop started his Episcopal Ministry in Uganda’s Kasana-Luweero Diocese in March 1997. He was laid to rest in the Sacred Heart Lubaga Cathedral of Kampala Archdiocese on 8 April 2021. 

More in Africa

Magdalene Kahiu is a Kenyan journalist with passion in Church communication. She holds a Degree in Social Communications from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA). Currently, she works as a journalist for ACI Africa.