The Archbishop Emeritus of Mbarara Archdiocese, His Grace Paul Kamuza Bakyenga has passed away at 79 years of age. The news of his demise was confirmed by Rev Fr. Charles Mutabaruka, the Communications Director of the Mbarara Archdiocese.
“Archbishop Bakyenga passed away this morning at Nsambya Hospital in Kampala, where he had gone for his regular check-ups.” Fr Mutabaruka announced, noting that further details regarding the prelate’s passing will be shared at a later time.
Early life and career
The late Archbishop was born in Bumbaire, Igara, Bushenyi District on June 30th,1944. He was the fourth born in a family of 10 children of Sipriano Kaamuza and Maria Gakibayo. He attended Ibaaare Primary School before he joined Ibanda Preparatory Seminary from 1958-60.
Bakyenga had a stint as teacher at Rushoroza Seminary while he was still in the process of becoming a priest where his first salary was Shs 390. He is said to have given Shs 319 to his father, who had become a squatter, to buy land in Bumbaire. His father retained the said land and bequeathed it to Bakyenga’s younger brother.
He later completed his own studies as a prienst and dedicated his life to a distinguished career in the clergy, serving as just a priest for 17 years and as a bishop for 34 years. He was ordained as a priest in Mbarara in 1971 at the age of 27. Later, at the age of 44, he was appointed the Coadjutor Bishop of Mbarara, positioning him to succeed Bishop John Baptist Kakubi.
In 1991, when Bishop Kakubi resigned at the age of 61, Archbishop Bakyenga assumed the role of Bishop of Mbarara. Under his leadership, the Mbarara Diocese was elevated to an archdiocese in 1999, and he became its first Archbishop.
Bakyenga earlier served as Chaplain of Ntare School in Mbarara, Rector of Kitabi Seminary and Rector of Ggaba National Seminary from 1985 – 89 when he was appointed Bishop. On January 2nd, 1999, Pope Paul II appointed Bakyenga Archbishop at the age of 55.
He was responsible for overseeing the Western ecclesiastical province, which covers the dioceses of Hoima, Fort Portal, Kasese, and Kabale.
Throughout his tenure, Archbishop Bakyenga provided spiritual guidance and pastoral care to the faithful in the region. His unwavering dedication and commitment to his religious duties have left a profound impact on the community.
Archbishop Bakyenga retired from his position in 2020 after serving the church and the people with unwavering devotion for several decades. He was succeeded by Lambert Bainomugisha.
