Remembering Bishop Frederick Drandua
What you need to know:
Motto. Drandua’s exemplary and outstanding record as bishop speaks eloquently for itself and, I dare say, will remain so for the foreseeable future. As a man of the people, he lived up to his episcopal motto.
Today marks the third anniversary of the passing on of a distinguished and much-loved son of West Nile, Bishop Frederick Drandua. On September 1, 2016, Bishop Sabino Ocan Odoki of Arua Diocese announced over Radio Pacis the passing on of Drandua who died in Kampala after a long illness.
Several activities have been planned for today to remember and above all to thank God for the life and ministry of Bishop Drandua who is missed by the people of West Nile, South Sudan and eastern DR Congo. He is most dearly missed by the poor, rejected and marginalised wananchi who were of great concern to him.
Drandua was born in 1943 at Uleppi and died at 73 years old. He was in 1970 and consecrated bishop by Emmanuel Cardinal Nsubuga at Ediofe Cathedral on August 15, 1986.
I was honoured to know Drandua and considered him a friend. Our friendship began during preparations for the bishop’s consecration in 1986 and grew steadily with time. It was, therefore, a great honour for me to deliver the first Bishop Emeritus Frederick Drandua Memorial Lecture exactly one year ago today.
The consecration of Drandua was a colourful ceremony and memorable event attended by thousands of Christians. Ediofe Cathedral and surroundings were filled to the maximum. The atmosphere was angelic and electric with choirs from Arua, Gulu, Lira and Moyo performing traditional hymns and local compositions in English, Luo, Lugbara and Madi.
I had the pleasure to visit Drandua at the bishop’s palace in Ediofe and he always received me warmly with a big smile. In 2005, when I was accredited to the Embassy of Uganda in Brussels, I had privilege to share a platform with Drandua and ambassador Olara Otunnu in London during his pastoral visit to Britain.
Drandua’s enduring legacy
Frederick Drandua was the second bishop of Arua Diocese, but the first Ugandan to sit on the bishop’s throne at Ediofe Cathedral. He succeeded an Italian, Bishop Angelo Tarantino, who spent many years as a missionary in Lango and served as bishop during the early 1980s which was a turbulent period in West Nile.
Drandua’s exemplary and outstanding record as bishop speaks eloquently for itself and, I dare say, will remain so for the foreseeable future. As a man of the people, he lived up to his episcopal motto, “Ut Unum Sint” (May they be one).
Drandua was bishop from 1986 to 2009. He was a man of God who loved his flock and people of all denominations from all walks of life. He was a peace-loving, generous and enterprising person. Arua’s award-winning Radio Pacis and Don Dino orphanage located at Ediofe are testimony of his work.
The unity of Christians of West Nile, South Sudan and eastern DR Congo in accordance with Jesus Christ’s command is, in my opinion, Drandua’s enduring legacy. He was a dedicated witness of Jesus Christ and served our Lord and the people of God to the best of his ability.
The bishop’s good deeds were, however, not appreciated and recognised by everybody. His attempt to bring affordable electricity to West Nile with support from Italian friends during the 1990s was ironically received with open hostility and frustrated by evil and unpatriotic men.
Drandua established and developed cordial relations with the Anglican Bishop of Madi and West Nile Diocese. The two bishops worked closely and harmoniously together for the good of the one Catholic and apostolic Church of Christ.
Bishop Joel Obetia (Rtd) paid glowing tribute to Drandua and observed that God had blessed people of West Nile abundantly through Drandua’s generosity, progressive ideas and developmental activities.
In closing, I would like to thank God for Bishop Drandua’s exemplary life, distinguished leadership and fruitful ministry. His Christian witness strengthened the unity of the church. He has left a rich and powerful legacy which continues to inspire believers, especially the Clergy of West Nile. Christians of West Nile can pay Bishop Drandua lasting tribute by following his shining example.
Bishop Drandua was buried at Ediofe Cathedral on September 7, 2016. May his soul rest in eternal peace!
Mr Acemah is a political scientist and retired career diplomat.
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