The news of the passing of Archbishop Emeritus Paul K. Bakyenga sent shockwaves of sorrow through the leaders and residents of Bushenyi district, his birthplace.
Bakyenga passed away on Tuesday morning at Nsambya Hospital in Kampala.
Born on June 30, 1944, in the village of Bumbeire Igara near Bumbeire Sub County Headquarters in Bushenyi District, his parents later moved to Kagongo in Sheema district.
Bakyenga, the fourth of ten children, was the son of Sipiriano Kaamuza and Maria Gakibayo Kaamuza.
Selestino Twinomugisha, the head of the laity at St. Kagwa Parish in Bushenyi District, spoke of the deceased’s significant contributions to the economic development of the Catholic Church.
Bakyenga was vital in establishing church projects such as the University of St. Joseph’s and Holy Innocent Children’s Hospital, located at Nyamitanga Hill in Mbarara City.
Jafari Basajjabalaba, the Bushenyi District LC V Chairman, expressed the district’s mourning for one of their own.
He described Archbishop Bakyenga as a senior figure, mentor, and individual who loved people regardless of their religious affiliations.
Mary Karooro Okurut, the Senior Presidential Advisor on Public Relations praised the late Archbishop Emeritus Bakyenga for his ministering gift and his commitment to promoting inclusivity among people of all faiths and beliefs.
She noted that his legacy of honesty and integrity would endure. Robert Atuhairwe, the Bushenyi Resident District Commissioner, regarded Archbishop Bakyenga as a father, teacher, mentor, and true embodiment of scripture.
David Byamukama, a Christian from Bumabire, acknowledged the late Emeritus Bakyenga’s hard work, which contributed to the development of the Mbarara Archdiocese.
“The late uplifted the education standards in the Archdiocese through the construction of various educational institutions such as universities, secondary and primary schools in most districts,” he said. Byamukama also praised Archbishop Bakyenga’s dedication to the well-being of children, evident in the construction of Holy Innocent Hospital and his support for seminaries.
Archbishop Bakyenga’s innovative approach included income-generating projects like Pecamega Petro Station and Centenary Bank, aiming to reduce the dependence of Catholic churches on their congregations.
Mary Mulezi, another Christian, remembered how Emeritus Bakyenga ordained many priests and encouraged them to spread the gospel worldwide.
She emphasized his prayers for families and his insistence on prioritizing God for the prosperity of households.
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