UGANDA: Late Bishop Kaggwa Eulogized as Humble, Zealous Pastor, Close to the Poor and His Priests

Jjunju Francis and Fr. Philip Odii

The Emeritus bishop of Masaka Diocese Rt. Rev. John Baptist Kaggwa was on January 23, 2021 laid to rest at Bukalasa Minor Seminary cemetery in Kulungu District, southern Uganda. Bishop Kaggwa who died at the age of 77 on January 20, 2021 due to heart failure after his Covid-19 condition had improved, was buried in a chapel where two other bishops from the same diocese, Rt. Rev. Paul Kalanda and Rt. Rev. Henry Ssentongo are buried.

The funeral Mass was presided over by Rt. Rev. Joseph Antony Zziwa the Chairman of the Uganda Episcopal Conference and concelebrated by Rt. Rev. Serverus Jjumba of Masaka Diocese, Most Rev. Lambert Bainomugisha of Mbarara Archdiocese, Rt. Rev. Paul Ssemogerere of Kasana-Luweero Diocese, Rt. Rev. Francis Aquirinus Kibira of Kasese Diocese, Rt. Rev. Egidio Nkaijanabwo Emeritus Bishop of Kasese Diocese and about 150 priests. The Mass was also attended by several Religious men and women, political, civil and cultural leaders and the lay faithful.

In his message of condolence on behalf of the Uganda Episcopal Conference, Bishop Zziwa who is also the Bishop of Kiyinda-Mityana Diocese paid tribute to Bishop Kaggwa for his dedicated service to the local and universal Church.

“He was a pastor at heart; ever zealous for the welfare of his flock. The number of parishes and institutions he established in Masaka Diocese bespeak this fact”, Bishop Zziwa stated, adding that “Bishop Kaggwa also cared for his people, always fighting for justice, peace and truth on their behalf. His homilies and speeches are a testimony of this”.

Bishop Zziwa described the late bishop as a “committed, unassuming and a humble man (Mt.5:5)”. He hailed him as a formator of priests, having served as a Vice-Rector of St. Paul’s College in Rome and as first Rector of St. Mbaaga’s Major Seminary in Uganda. He underscored his dedication and care for the welfare of priests by citing incidents when Bishop Kaggwa as Rector of St. Mbaaga’s Major Seminary, drove the seminary lorry to bring food and collect firewood for the seminary during difficult times. He also noted how Bishop Kaggwa as a Vice Chairman and Chairman of the Commission for Priestly Formation “would drive to Kampala and visit various seminaries in the country to ensure that all was well and in line with the policies of the Church on seminaries”.

In his homily, Rt. Rev. Serverus Jjumba the Ordinary of Masaka Diocese described his predecessor as a Bishop who truly lived by his motto: “Omnia Propter Evangelium Profer Lumen Caecis” (Everything for the sake of the Gospel to bring light to the blind).

Bishop Jjumba noted that right from the time he was ordained a priest in 1971 by Cardinal Emmanuel Nsubuga at Lubaga Cathedral in Kampala, Bishop Kaggwa had spent his life proclaiming the Gospel, following his flock and addressing their needs.

“This kind of service full of humility always put him in the eyes of all categories of people, smelt his sheep, and that is why he would never relent on fighting for the rights and freedom of all, most especially the vulnerable”, Bishop Jjumba said, adding that “Such relentless service, express and define Bishop Kaggwa’s life journey as a human being, priest and as a bishop who answered God’s call without hesitation for the 50 years as priest and 26 years as bishop”.

According to Bishop Jjumba, his predecessor always strove for unity and development in the diocese. This he said was the reason he established and promoted associations, self help groups for communities and diocesan development projects such as the Masaka Diocesan Development Organization (MADDO).

Bishop John Baptist Kaggwa was born on March 22, 1943 at Bulenga in the present Buloba Parish, Kampala Archdiocese. He was ordained a priest on December 12, 1971 at Lubaga Cathedral by His Eminence Emmanuel Cardinal Nsubuga. After his ordination, he served at Nswanjere Preparatory Seminary, St. Mbaaga’s Major Seminary, Kisubi Minor Seminary, Ggaba Parish and Christ the King Parish in Kampala. He studied both Canon and Civil Law at the Lateran University in Rome, obtaining a BA, MA and PHD in the same disciplines.

Bishop Kaggwa served as the Vice Rector of Collegio San Paulo in Rome before being appointed the Coadjutor Bishop of Masaka Diocese on April 13, 1995 and ordained Bishop on June 24, 1995 at Kitovu Cathedral, Masaka. He was appointed Bishop of Masaka Diocese on January 10, 1998 and enthroned on March 22, 1998. Upon his retirement on April 16, 2019, he was appointed Apostolic Administrator of Masaka Diocese till July 6, 2019 when his successor, Bishop Serverus Jjumba was consecrated and installed.