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Hoima Diocese bishop serves humbly till death
The Rt Rev Deogratius Byabazaire, the former Bishop of Hoima Catholic Diocese, with congregants during his days in ministry. COURTESY PHOTO
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Although he was bed-ridden for long, his relatives and colleagues said he would still dedicate time to meet Christians and pray for them.
HOIMA
He hailed from a powerful, rich and influential family but he lived a gracious, courteous and humble life until his death. The Rt Rev Deogratius Byabazaire, the Bishop of Hoima Catholic Diocese, died on Saturday morning at Entebbe Airport shortly after returning to Uganda from India where he had been undergoing treatment.
According to relatives and clergy, the Rev Byabazaire was returning for his official ministry but after landing at the airport, his health deteriorated. The Hoima diocesan vicar, Msgr Mathias Nyakatuura, said the bishop succumbed to diabetes and high blood pressure. He also had a brain tumor. “He has undergone treatment in various countries in the past five years,” Msgr Nyakatuura said.
Rev Byabazaire was born on October 9, 1941 in Karujubu Sub-county in Masindi District to Laurent Muganwa who was a sub-county chief and later a magistrate. He is a brother of the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Service, Henry Kajura. The bishop had a series of operations in Kenya, Germany and later India.
For the past three years, the deceased has been performing duties despite taking sick leave in 2009 due to persistent health problems.
The same year, Mbarara’s Auxiliary Bishop Lambert Bainomugisha was appointed an apostolic administrator of Hoima Diocese to help Bishop Byabazaire.
Although he was bed-ridden for long, his relatives and colleagues said he would still dedicate time to meet Christians and pray for them. “He dedicated all his energies to serve the Church. He would offer whatever he had to the poor. He would afford to go hungry to provide food to the needy,” Mr Kajura said in a statement issued by his political assistant, Mr Shaban Kwebiiha.
Fred Kiva, a reporter for Uganda Radio Network in Bunyoro, who was assigned to cover him in 2008 as he toured diocesan projects in the region remembers the late for his generosity and humility.
“Whenever he would be offered food or any gifts, he would serve me first before he would eat. I was touched by his simplicity and humility. He was the first high profile person I covered when I began practicing as a journalist,” Kiva said.
Mr Deo Kajura, the head of the laity at Kisabagwa sub-parish in Hoima District, said the bishop officially opened the sub parish which he heads. “He encouraged and supported us to build the sub-parish. He cared about our spiritually and wellbeing. He supported us to develop. We shall dearly miss him,” Kajura said.
Innocent Baguma, a resident who lives adjacent to Bujumbura Cathedral, said the deceased’s love the youth was immeasurable and he always encouraged them to develop their talents.
Msgr Nyakatura said the late liked education and has supported thousands of students at St Andrea Kaahwa’s College.
Joseph Ssemwema, a former seminarian, who underwent priestly training during his term as Bishop, said: “He supported girl education by supporting model girl-child education schools such as St Margaret, Masindi St Thereza and St Catherine Kicucura in Kiryanga Sub-county.”
Who was bishop byabazaire?
Bishop Byabazaire studied from Kitabi Minor Seminary and later joined Katigondo Major Seminary. He also studied in Rome and Italy. He was ordained a priest at Bujumbura Cathedral in Hoima Town on August 9, 1969 by late Bishop Cyprian Kihangire, the first Bishop of Hoima Catholic Diocese.
He was consecrated bishop of the diocese on August 18,1990 and installed March 9, 1991. The Rev Byabazaire has been a priest for 45 years and a bishop for 23 years. Before being ordained bishop, he was a rector at Aloukloum Major Seminary in Gulu District. He succeeded Rt Rev Bishop Edward Baharagate who retired in March 1991.
