UGANDA: Bishop emeritus John Baptist Kaggwa Dies

Andrew Kaufa smm

Bishop chairman for the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences of Eastern Africa (AMECEA) Rt. Rev. Charles Kasonde has expressed sympathy with the Catholic Church in Uganda over the demise of the bishop emeritus of Masaka, Rt. Rev. John Baptist Kaggwa.

The Uganda Episcopal Conference announced the death of Bishop Kaggwa on Wednesday January 20, 2021.

“Rr. Rev. Antony Zziwa, the Chairman of Uganda Episcopal Conference, regrets to announce the demise of Rt. Rev. John Baptist Kaggwa, Bishop of Emeritus of Masaka. Details of funeral arrangements will be communicated later,” reads the press statement signed by Bishop Zziwa.

Bishop Kaggwa who was appointed by Pope John Paul II as Coadjutor Bishop for Masaka Diocese on December 19, 1994, served as the shepherd of the diocese until his retirement on April 16, 2019.

In his message of condolence dated January 22, the chairman of AMECEA who is the Ordinary for Solwezi Diocese in Zambia has mourned the late Bishop Kaggwa as “an active member of AMECEA” who “championed solidarity and fraternity of the Catholic Church in the region.”

“He made use of his specialization as a canonist in the areas of priestly formation and served as an advisor and guide to the Church in Uganda and AMECEA region,” continues Bishop Kasonde and adds, “I offer my condolences to the bishops in Uganda and in particular to the Ordinary of Masaka Diocese Rt Rev. Serverus Jjumba, the clergy, Religious men and women, close relatives, friends and the entire family of God in Uganda.”

Born on March 23, 1943, the late John Baptist Kaggwa was ordained priest on July 28, 1971. He ordained bishop at Kitovu Cathedral, Masaka Diocese and served as coadjutor bishop from June 24, 1995 until he succeeded his predecessor Rt. Rev. Adrian Kivumbi Ddungu as bishop of Masaka on January 10, 1998.

Bishop Kaggwa died at Mulago National Hospital in the Archdiocese of Kampala.