KAMPALA – What is usually a colourful Easter Sunday celebration at Lubaga Cathedral was today characterized by somberness as the Archdiocese of Kampala mourned their Archbishop Dr Cyprian Kizito Lwanga who was found dead on Saturday morning.
Dr Lwanga had been expected to lead the Mass today as the Lubaga joined Christains across the world to mark the resurrection of Jesus Christ. However, at around 9am yesterday, he was found dead at his residence at Lubaga.
Monsignor Charles Kabisante, the Vicar General of Kampala Archdiocese who was the main celebrant said although Easter is always a joyous day, they are instead in mourning following the demise of Dr Lwanga.
He described him as a good shepherd who cared about his flock and a father who cared about his children. In his homily, Kasibante called upon the Catholics to take good care of their families as it’s the basis for having righteous citizens.
“Children should be taught good manners and to love God and fellow human beings. We should fear and pray to God all the time,” Kasibante said. “We should recite the Rosary because doing so is teaching ourselves about the life of Jesus Christ.”
Mgr Kasibante read the message that Lwanga had prepared to give today.
Lwanga had asked the government to treat all citizens equally and stop the now rampant abductions. He said if there are people that are suspected for getting involved in criminal activities then they should be taken to courts of law.
The Katikkiro of Buganda Charles Peter Mayiga called Bishop Lwanga an icon of Buganda and Uganda’s development. Mayiga said Lwanga never shied away from speaking about issues that affected Ugandans. He added that as kingdom, they will greatly miss him.
For Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, the former presidential candidate, the death of Lwanga is yet another loss of religious leader who spoke truth to power. Kyagulanyi, aka Bobi Wine, said the circumstances under which Lwanga died leave a bad taste in the mouth of many Ugandans. He called upon the government to thoroughly investigate it and make the report about his death public.
For his part, Dr Chrysostom Muyingo, the minister in charge of Higher Education who represented the government, the death of Lwanga touched the hearts of many Ugandans. He called upon politicians to stop politicking and instead engage in helping in the development of the country. He said elections are over and people should be allowed to go back to their normal lives.
According to preliminary burial arrangements, there will be mass tomorrow at Lubaga Cathedral at 10am without the body. On Tuesday the body of Archbishop Lwanga is expected to be taken to his accentual home in Kyabakadde in Kyampisi sub county Mukono district for a night vigil.
On Wednesday, the body will be taken to Lubaga Cathedral where there will be another mass and public viewing of the body. Lwanga will be buried at Lubaga Cathedral metropolitan burial grounds on Thursday next week.