UGANDA: UEC mourns Rt Rev Kakubi, Bishop Emeritus of Mbarara
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| Bishop John Baptist Kakubi, |
Uganda Episcopal Conference is mourning the death
of Rt. Rev. John Baptist Kakubi, the Bishop Emeritus of Mbarara Archdiocese who
died on February 11, 2016 at Kampala International Hospital in Kampala after a
long battle with hypertension and diabetes.
of Rt. Rev. John Baptist Kakubi, the Bishop Emeritus of Mbarara Archdiocese who
died on February 11, 2016 at Kampala International Hospital in Kampala after a
long battle with hypertension and diabetes.
Bishop Kakubi (86) was the third ordinary and
first indigenous African Bishop of Mbarara to take over from Bishop Jean Marie
Ogez, who succeeded Bishop Lacoursiere F.X. Bishop Kakubi led Mbarara from 1969 to 1991.
first indigenous African Bishop of Mbarara to take over from Bishop Jean Marie
Ogez, who succeeded Bishop Lacoursiere F.X. Bishop Kakubi led Mbarara from 1969 to 1991.
Born on September 23, 1929 in Mbarara District, he
attended Primary School from 1939 to 1943 and joined St. Francis Xavier Kitabi
Minor Seminary in 1944 to 1950.
attended Primary School from 1939 to 1943 and joined St. Francis Xavier Kitabi
Minor Seminary in 1944 to 1950.
According to his Memoir ‘A Day to Remember’ a
total of 24 students joined the Seminary but, only four students, him
inclusive, completed the seven year journey. “I had made a resolution in my
preparatory at Kitabi that even if all my 23 classmates leave, I shall become a
priest.” Bishop Kakubi narrates in his memoir.
total of 24 students joined the Seminary but, only four students, him
inclusive, completed the seven year journey. “I had made a resolution in my
preparatory at Kitabi that even if all my 23 classmates leave, I shall become a
priest.” Bishop Kakubi narrates in his memoir.
He then joined Katigondo Major Seminary in 1951 to
1956. In 1958 Bishop Ogez sent him to England to continue with his studies at
Allen Hall St. Edmund’s College, Ware Hertfordhire. He was ordained a priest on
June 11, 1960 at Westminster Cathedral in London by William Cardinal Godfrey of
Westminster Archdiocese. He had his first Mass at St. Patrick London University
Church in Soho Square.
1956. In 1958 Bishop Ogez sent him to England to continue with his studies at
Allen Hall St. Edmund’s College, Ware Hertfordhire. He was ordained a priest on
June 11, 1960 at Westminster Cathedral in London by William Cardinal Godfrey of
Westminster Archdiocese. He had his first Mass at St. Patrick London University
Church in Soho Square.
After his ordination, he remained in London and
attended a course in Catholic Social Studies at St. Peter Clever Institute from
1960 to 1961. He was a teacher at Katigondo Major Seminary from 1963 to 1964
after which he worked as Diocesan Secretary for Education for Mbarara and
Kabale from 1964 to 1966.
attended a course in Catholic Social Studies at St. Peter Clever Institute from
1960 to 1961. He was a teacher at Katigondo Major Seminary from 1963 to 1964
after which he worked as Diocesan Secretary for Education for Mbarara and
Kabale from 1964 to 1966.
On July 5, 1969 he was appointed Bishop of Mbarara
and consecrated on August 1, 1969 by Pope Paul VI at Kololo Airstrip together
with other four Bishops. His motto was “Lord you are my shield” Psalm 3:3.
and consecrated on August 1, 1969 by Pope Paul VI at Kololo Airstrip together
with other four Bishops. His motto was “Lord you are my shield” Psalm 3:3.
From March 1992 to the time of his death, Bishop
Kakubi lived in Ibanda Priest’s House (house for priest’ and those that are
retired and sick) which he renovated and expanded.
Kakubi lived in Ibanda Priest’s House (house for priest’ and those that are
retired and sick) which he renovated and expanded.
On many occasions, Bishop Kakubi was invited to
give spiritual talks and retreats to priests and religious both in the diocese
of Mbarara and other dioceses.
give spiritual talks and retreats to priests and religious both in the diocese
of Mbarara and other dioceses.
A requiem Mass was held for him on Friday 12 at
Lubaga Cathedral in Kampala. He was later laid to rest on Saturday February 13
at St. Joseph’s Vocational School chapel, as per his wish, in Mbarara
Archdiocese. He has lived and served as a priest for 56 years and as a Bishop
for 46 years. May his soul rest in eternal peace.
Lubaga Cathedral in Kampala. He was later laid to rest on Saturday February 13
at St. Joseph’s Vocational School chapel, as per his wish, in Mbarara
Archdiocese. He has lived and served as a priest for 56 years and as a Bishop
for 46 years. May his soul rest in eternal peace.
By Jacinta W.
Odongo; Media Officer, Uganda Episcopal Conference
Odongo; Media Officer, Uganda Episcopal Conference
