UGANDA: Bishop Emeritus Edward Albert Baharagate of Uganda Hoima Diocese Dies at 93

By Masereka Peter

Catholics in Uganda are mourning Bishop Emeritus of Hoima Catholic Diocese in Bunyoro sub region, western Uganda, The Rt. Rev Albert Edward Baharagate Akiiki who has died aged 93 years on Wednesday, April 5.

Announcing the death on behalf of the Local Ordinary of the Diocese, Bishop Vincent Kirabo Chancellor of the Diocese Fr. Dominic Ndugwa said that Bishop emeritus died at Nsambya Hospital in Kampala where he was undergoing treatment.

“Dear people of God, the Bishop of Hoima Catholic Diocese, the Rt. Rev. Vincent Kirabo with deep sorrow announces the death of the Bishop Emeritus of Hoima Catholic Diocese, the Rt. Rev. Albert Edward Baharagate Akiiki” a statement released by Fr Ndugwa, reads in part and continues the Bishop has been sick for years, according to sources at the diocese, battling diabetes.

Bishop Baharagate is among the four Prelates of Ugandan who were consecrated by His Holiness Pope Paul VI in 1969 at Kalolo Airstrip. Others include; the Late Bishop Serapio Magambo of Fort Portal diocese, Bishop Barnabas Halem’Imana of Kabale and Bishop John Baptist Kakubi of Mbarara.

Baharagate was born February 25, 1930, in Nyamigisa Village, in Masindi District.

He was ordained a priest on December 7, 1958, appointed Bishop of Hoima on July 7, 1969 and was consecrated a bishop at Hoima on August 1, 1969 by Pope Paul VI.

On March 9, 1991, Baharagate resigned as Bishop of Hoima and was replaced by Bishop Deogratius Byabazaire who has also since passed on. END