MBARARA – The newly appointed Archbishop of Mbarara Archdiocese, Rt Rev Dr Lambert Bainomugisha, has said that it is difficult to emulate the legacy of his predecessor Paul Bakyenga.
Speaking at his maiden press conference since being appointed Archbishop by Pope Francis 11 days ago, Rt Rev Bainomugisha said Archbishop emeritus Bakyenga, who has been in the position for over 30 years, is the best example for him and he will do all he can to emulate him.
“The legacy of Archbishop Paul Bakyenga is very difficult to emulate. He was such a very strong man in leadership,” he said in Mbarara on Wednesday, May 6, 2020.
The Archbishop-elect further described Bakyenga as his mentor.
“I wish to thank the Most. Rev. Paul Kamuza Bakyenga for the three decades of dedicated service as Archbishop of Mbarara. It was during this period that I was appointed Auxiliary Bishop and served with him for 15 years. I cherish his vision and particularly nurturing and mentoring me as young bishop,’’ he said.
“Good enough I have been privileged to work with Archbishop Bakyenga most of my life. As a priest, I worked in his office as the chancellor of the diocese and as a priest working as an auxiliary bishop closely with archbishop Bakyenga,’’ Rt Rev Bainomugisha said.
The Archbishop-elect said that he will work to build on the achievements achieved in the archdiocese.
“There have been four bishops before me. Archbishop Bakyenga succeeded Bishop Kakubi, Bishop Kakubi succeeded other two bishops and each one had a contribution to make but the biggest legacy we have from archbishop Bakyenga is archbishop Bakyenga himself. He is retiring but he is with us and so we have hands on experience, an interaction with him to share part of his wisdom and he will remain part and partial of the archdiocese of Mbarara,’’ he said.
“We continue asking God to help us reach there and fulfill things we plan but there are things that come that gives us direction on what we can do to serve the people of God in times we are in. so we will continue with what our predecessors
did. Together with what the laity bring,” he added.
Bishop Bainomugisha was appointed new Mbarara Archbishop on April 25, 2020.
He was appointed assistant to Archbishop Bakyenga by Pope Benedict XVI on 2 July 2005.
Bishop Bainomugisha was born 12 Junly 1961 in the then diocese of Mbarara. He studied in his own country and in Canada obtaining a PhD in Canon Law at St Paul University Ottowa. He was ordained a priest on 13 July 1991 then ministered for a few years in parishes, before going to Canada to complete his studies.
Before being appointed Bishop, he was chancellor of the diocese and chaplain at the general House of the Sisters of Our Lady of Good Counsel and a community of Poor Clares.
The Archdiocese of Mbarara, created in 1999, has four dioceses.