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A family of priests that found calling through inspiration
The Rev Fr Darius Magunda says his uncle, Bishop Nkaijanabwo, inspired him to join priesthood.
What you need to know:
Service. As a waiter’s son, Bishop Emeritus Egidio Nkaijanabwo, grew up on parish land where he often saw priests. Their elegance attracted him to join priesthood. Today, some if his nephews found a role model in him and decided to follow his footsteps
The blessings of having a priest in the family are many, one of which is having someone at hand to say prayers for you. Many priests say other people inspired them to become priests while others say it was a calling by God.
There must be an ardent intercession by the Holy Mary for the people who inspire others to take to priesthood. One person who has inspired many lay people into priesthood is Bishop Emeritus Egidio Nkaijanabwo of Kasese Diocese.
The bishop was inspired by others. “I was born in 1935 in a religious family,” says the 80–year–old cleric. “My parents migrated from Rubirizi to Rugazi parish, in Mbarara Diocese. At first, they lived with a relative on the parish land. My father was a waiter to the parish priests.”
The waiter was allowed to build a house on the parish land and as he grew up, his son was offered the opportunity to become an altar boy.
“I admired those priests,” says Nkaijanabwo. “I remember in 1945, some seminarians came to the parish to attend an ordination. They were wearing their priestly garments. At that time, these were kanzus (tunics). They looked smart; I wanted to be like them.” In 1948, the way was opened when he enrolled at Kitabi Minor Seminary.
The Rev Fr Darius Magunda counts his uncle, Bishop Nkaijanabwo, as one of those who inspired him into ministry. “When I was born in 1968, he was already a priest. As children, we were always on the lookout for role models.
The bishop’s humility, love for children, and charity won me over. I was in awe of the respect that other people accorded him.”
Once his mother noticed his liking for the priestly vocation, Fr Magunda says she also started inspiring him.
“We always went to church and the rosary became a part of my life. With my agemates, I used to play a game celebrating Mass. I was always the priest and for Holy Communion, we used bananas as wafers.”
When students from Kitabi Seminary came to the parish to play in the band, the longing to be a priest was cemented in the young boy’s mind.
Fr Sande Anthony Nyeyambe, 30, is another nephew of the bishop. “I admired the way my uncle led his life. He was simple, humble and prayerful. He became my role model and mentor. I wanted to be like him.”
Imitate priests
Fr Sande Anthony Nyeyambe, 30, serves in Kenya.
As an orphaned child in Kyamuhunga, Bushenyi, Fr Nyeyambe would gather the neighbourhood children and imitate priests celebrating Mass.
“In 1958, I was sent to England to study theology for three years,” says Bishop Nkaijanabwo.
“My education was a bit fast tracked because I was ordained at Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral, UK, in 1961.”
Out of the 35 students who enrolled at Kitabi Seminary with him, only two became priests.
On the other hand, to pursue his priesthood vision, Fr Magunda joined St Mukasa Preparatory Seminary Mushanga in 1981.
“For me, as a young man, there were many distractions. When I joined Kitabi Minor Seminary, in 1983, I thought about being a lawyer or economist.”
Six years in the seminary helped him to reflect on his decision. A life in priesthood outweighed the other professions.
In 1989, Fr Magunda joined Katigondo National Seminary and graduated with a Bachelor of Philosophy degree. He later pursued his studies in Theology at the St Paul’s Major Seminary Kinyamasika in Fort Portal where he completed with a Bachelor of Theology and was ordained priest in 1997. In 2001, he was sent to Rome to study Church history which he completed in 2006 and obtained a doctorate.
Fr Magunda, a diocesan priest, who now lectures Church History and Patrology at St Mary’s National Major Seminary, Ggaba, concedes that life in a minor seminary is challenging.
“There is strict discipline, although the strictness later shapes one into a principled person who can resist the attractions and temptations of the world.”
In his 54 years as a priest, the Bishop Emeritus has never regretted his decision.
“There were difficulties in seminary life, but I never doubted my vocation. I was never tempted by secularism to take another course in life.”
Fr Magunda also says the solitude of priesthood may deter some people.
“I do not regret my vocation, especially when my former classmates tell me that family life is not easy. [But] sometimes you can feel lonely, especially when ill or in financial troubles.”
However, he says the life of sacrifice is better than the secular life. Fr Magunda, together with another cousin, Fr Lucius Atwine of the Holy Cross Congregation, were ordained in 1997.
Despite his admiration for his uncle and cousins, Nyeyambe did not go to a seminary. Instead he joined Kasese High School for O and A level education and Ishaka Vocational School.
“It was only after Senior Six that I went to the Bishop and told him about my desire to be a priest. He admitted me into his congregation. But I wanted to be different, so, I joined Apostles of Jesus Congregation and was posted to Apostles of Jesus Scholasticate in Langata, Kenya in 2005.”
Fr Nyeyambe says he adapted quickly to the strict discipline of seminary life.
“God had called me to this vocation and I was able to respond to it and serve Him as a good shepherd.”
In 2008, the 30–year–old graduated with a degree in Philosophical Studies. Later, he obtained another undergraduate degree in Sacred Theology.
More responsibilities
Bishop Emeritus Egidio Nkaijanabwo of Kasese Diocese in an interview. His nephews say he inspires them. PHOTO BY DOMINIC BUKENYA
On December 8, 2014, he was ordained a Deacon at the Apostles of Jesus Shrine in Nairobi, Kenya. He soon afterwards returned to Uganda and was on August 15, 2015, ordained a priest at Nyamitanga Cathedral in Mbarara District. In October, he left Mbarara for Kericho, Kenya where he will be working for some time.
“My parents were happy when I was ordained a priest,” says Fr Magunda. “It is an honour to serve God. It is also an honour to the memory of our grandfather who was a very religious man.”
There is a nun among Fr Magunda’s distant cousins in his mother’s family. “There were many priests when we were growing up. The fact that they were the most educated made them a role model to many boys. Unfortunately, there were no nuns so the girls had no one to inspire them into ministry.
“I enjoy administering the sacrament and preaching the word of God,” says Fr Nyeyambe. “I also feel very happy when I see Christians making a choice to be devoted to God.”
Take on pope’s visit
Fr Nyeyambe believes that the Pope’s visit will bring peace and harmony to the country.
“He is coming at a time when there are problems in our politics. His presence will mediate in these problems.” The imminent visit of the Pope has brought together the State, the Catholic and the Anglican churches to work on projects in preparation for his visit.
This, Fr Magunda believes, will cement relations between the three. “As the spiritual leader, Pope Francis’ visit will strengthen our faith,” says Fr Magunda. “It will also help to improve the image of Uganda abroad.”
