•Five years since he left the earthly world to eternity.
February 11,2016 was the worst day in the hearts of the Catholic faithful in Mbarara Archdiocese after blacksmith news of the death of Emeritus Bishop John Baptist Kakubi broke to the ears of the faithful.
Today, marks exactly five years since the man of God brathed his last but his contributions towards building a strong catholic faith in the region and Uganda in particular still lives.
No one can be judged wrong commenting that Bishop Kakubi died as he lived.
Catholics and non catholics from the region still commemorate the life well lived of the Emeritus Bishop whi served the diicese between from 1969 and 1991 before his retirement.
He was replaced by Bishop Paul Kamuza Bakyenga (Now Emeritus Archbishop of Mbarara Archdiocese) who also resigned in May last year.
Born on September 23, 1929, Bishop Kakubi became the first black Catholic bishop to serve the diocese of Mbarara diocese and one of the first three African Bishops in the country.
He is celebrated for his role on promoting education in the diocese through establishment of Church founded schools among other life achievements.
Kakubi died on Thursday 11February, 2016 at Kampala International Hospital in Kampala.
He was laid to rest on Sunday 14th, 2016 inside the Chapel of At.Josephs Vocational school at Nyamitanga hill Mbarara District as he had requested in his priestly will.
About Bishop Kakubi
He was born on September 23, 1929, at Kyanda, Rugaaga, Birunduma Parish present Isingiro District to Rafael Ziridamu and Candida Kiremire. He studied at Birunduma Primary School, Nyamitanga Primary School, Kitabi Seminary in Bushenyi, Katigondo Major Seminary in Masaka, St Edmund’s Allen Hall, England, and Claver House, London.
Orders. 1957-1958 Probation: Nyakibale and Rushoroza Parishes.
• May 20, 1959 Sub-Diaconate: St. Edmund’s College.
• September 23, 1959 Diaconate: St. Edmund’s College.
• June 11, 1960 Priesthood: West Minister Cathedral London.
Appointments. Nyamitanga Parish: Curate and In charge of Social Apostolic for Ankole region.
• Katigondo Major Seminary: Teacher and Formator.
• Nyamitanga Administrator: Diocesan Secretary and in charge of Lay Apostolate.
• Nyamitanga Parish: Parish Priest.
• Kitabi Seminary: Rector
• On July 5 1969, he was appointed Ordinary of Mbarara Diocese
• August 1, 1969, he was ordained Bishop at Kololo Airstrip-Kampala
• September 7, 1969 he was installed Ordinary of Mbarara
• In 1980, he started St. Joseph’s and St. Cecilia Vocational Schools
• In 1991 he retired at Ibanda Priests House. He served as a priest of the Archdiocese of Mbarara for 55 years and 47 as Bishop.
Bishop Kakubi died but his memories still lives in the minds of many Christians.
Let us pray for his soul to continue to resting in eternal peace.
