It’s dark Easter season for the Church

The clergy led by the Vicar General of Kampala, Msgr Charles Kasibante (centre), with officials from Mengo Kingdom led by Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga (3rd left) and political leaders led by State minister for Higher Education John Chrysostom Muyingo (5th left) during the Easter Mass at Rubaga Cathedral, Kampala, yesterday. PHOTO/MICHAEL KAKUMIRIZI

What you need to know:

  • A number of notable public figures attended the Easter Mass at Rubaga Cathedral where they praised the late archbishop for his openness in dealing with injustices.

As Christians celebrate Easter season, it is business unusual, especially, in the Catholic Church following the abrupt death of Dr Cyprian Lwanga Kizito, the Archbishop of Kampala. Our team captured the mood in different places of worship yesterday.

A sombre mood yesterday marked the celebration of Easter Sunday at Rubaga Cathedral, following the death of Dr Cyprian Kizito Lwanga, the Archbishop of Kampala. 

Lwanga was found dead on Saturday morning at his official residence, a day after he led the Way of the Cross on Friday. 

Christians trickled in one after another, with a handful only allowed inside the Cathedral. The second mass that the Archbishop always leads was shifted to the parish hall, with few in attendance. 

Inside the Cathedral, the television sets that had been installed to relay mass proceedings to the congregation were switched off. It was Easter “unusual.”
It is not clear what might have caused the death of the archbishop. On Saturday, the chancellor of Kampala Archdiocese, Fr Pius Male Ssentumbwe, announced his death, sending shockwaves across the country.

“With deep sorrow, I hereby inform you that our beloved Shepherd, the Archbishop of Kampala, His Grace Dr Cyprian Kizito Lwanga has been called to the house of the Lord. We pray that the Almighty and Merciful God may grant him eternal rest. We condole with all of you dear People of God, especially the clergy, religious and lay faithful of Kampala Archdiocese and the Late Archbishop’s family. May the Almighty God strengthen us all in this very difficult time,” Fr Male announced.

The third mass was led by Msgr Charles Kasibante, the Vicar General of Kampala Archdiocese. He said while death is inevitable, it is only a passage to the next world. Msgr Kasibante said the late had prepared his Easter message, which he intended to deliver on Sunday, but did not live to do so. Part of the message had called on the government to release those arrested during and after the 2021 General Election unconditionally, since the arrests have no basis.

“We call for the unconditional release of young people in detention and if guilty, they should be taken to court. Denying them a fair hearing creates bitterness among the people. Respect the sacredness and fundamental rights of human life,” part of the message read.

Msgr Kasibante urged members of the congregation to maintain faith amid the existing challenges, a statement that attracted a loud applause from members of the congregation.

For Mary Assumpta Nakato, a parishioner at Rubaga Cathedral, the death of Dr Lwanga is the least she expected. 
“We saw him lead the Way of the Cross. We were looking forward to his Sunday celebrations where he always comforts us. Whatever killed him has also killed us because with him, all our hopes are gone forever,” Ms Nakato said.

Just like Nakato, many other Christians, who had looked forward to Lwanga leading the main mass yesterday, were left wondering what to do next. Ms James Econi, a 62-year-old man, who left his home in Arua about 30 years ago has never missed a mass on Easter. 

“I am lost for words. I have always attended his Easter Sunday masses. He has always offered us hope even when we have had difficult times. I am wondering what to do next. We only pray for God’s guidance to give us another archbishop that is good like him. We shall miss him,” Mr Econi said.

A number of notable public figures attended the Easter Mass at Rubaga Cathedral where they praised the late archbishop for his openness in dealing with injustices.

They included National Unity Platform party leader Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine, Katikiro of Buganda Charles Mayiga, Minister for Higher Education John Chrysostom Muyingo, former Makerere University Vice Chancellor Prof Ssenatmu Ddumba, Prince David Wassajja, and State minister for Youth and Children Affairs Florence Kiyingi Nakiwala, among others. 

Mr Kyagulanyi praised the deceased archbishop for his frankness and courageous personality. 

“He was outspoken and did not fear to defend the human rights of people. He has joined other clerics who passed on without unclear reasons,” Mr Kyagulanyi said.

Mr Kyagulanyi proceeded to state that there are many questions being raised by Ugandans on the death of different leaders but no answers have been provided. 

“I ask the government to tell us what killed the archbishop,” he stated attracting a loud applause from the members of the congregation. 

Mr Charles Mayiga, the prime minister of Buganda Kingdom, praised Dr Lwanga for his patriotism. He said Dr Lwanga was not afraid to speak when things didn’t go right.

“He was one of the few who would speak their minds openly. He wouldn’t leave someone guessing what his view on issues are. He would come out openly and render counsel when he was called upon to do so. We shall remember Dr Lwanga because of the love he had for this country,” Mr Mayiga said. 

What others said?
At Mbuya Catholic Church, the curate of the parish, Rev Fr John Bosco Mubangizi, said it had been a hard time for Christians of Kampala Archdiocese.  

“For us in Kampala Archdiocese, we are both rejoicing over the Risen Lord and at the same time mourning Dr Cyprian Kizito Lwanga, who passed away in his sleep yesterday night. I asked the alter servants this morning that joy plus sorrow equals joy. This is because Archbishop Lwanga died when Jesus rose from the dead. This, therefore, means he died and rose to eternal life with Jesus,” Fr Mubangizi said.

At Christ the King Church, Fr Remigius Seruga to not let their lives revolve around the material things of this world but rather use them to honour God. He urged the faithful to model the life of Christ and stick to humility, perseverance, love and sacrifice as has been during lent.

“We have all the reasons to rejoice but as we meditate, we need to bear witness to Christ. If we keep our gaze on Christ, we shall have the hope of salvation,” Fr Seruga said.

The founding pastor of Watoto Church Ministries, Garry Skinner, called upon Christians to remain strong amid ongoing challenges. He said Jesus is present to walk them (faithful) through the hard times.  

“There are so many of us in life who are facing hard times and we asking why [it has to be that way] as we walk the road of life. Some have lost their loved ones, others lost their jobs or have been betrayed by their wife or husband,” pastor Skinner said.

“As you walk through the road of life discouraged, Jesus comes to walk with you. Jesus is interested in what you are going through ...,” he added.

About late Lwanga
Archbishop Cyprian Kizito Lwanga was born on January 19, 1953, at Kyabakadde, Naggalama in Mukono District, to the late Joseph Wamala and Matilda Wamala. He is the second born in the family of seven boys and four girls.

He attended Kyabakadde Catholic Primary School (1959-1963) and Nyenga Minor Seminary for his O-Level (1964-1971). His next port of  call was Katigondo National Major Seminary in Masaka (1972-1974) where he spent three years doing Philosophy.Archbishop Lwanga then  joined Ggaba National Seminary, where he majored in Theology.

Dr Lwanga's burial plans
Monday, April 5: Mass at Rubaga Cathedral at 2pm

Tuesday:  Mass at   Kyabakadde (Lugazi Diocese) starting at midday 

Wednesday: Funeral mass at Namugongo Catholic Shrine starting at 10am .

Thursday: Burial at Rubaga 

Compiled by Franklin Draku, Esther Oluka, Lominda Afedraru, Benson Tumusiime, Elizabeth Kamurungi & Tonny Abet