By Ameria Nayebare and Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
MBARARA
The catholic church in Southwest Uganda is in sombre moods after the death of their long serving Comboni Missionary Priest and philanthropist, Rev. Fr. Paulino Tomaino who died in Italy.
“Rev. Fr. Paulino Tomaino, Mccj has rested. He passed on from Milan Italy where he had been admitted,” read a death message on Kabale Diocese Facebook page.
Born in a small village, San Pietro Apostolo, in the Calabria Region, South of Italia, on the 4th of November 1937, from Santo and Rosina Tomaino, Father Paolino was ordained a Missionary Priest in the Society of the Comboni Missionaries on 28th of June 1964.
He became a missionary priest at the age of 27 dedicating his priestly service to the African continent.
By the beginning of January 1965, he was already in Africa, South West Uganda, together with other 3 Confreres: Fr. Dempsey, Father Joseph Ambrosi, and Fr. Mario Cisternino.
From January to September together with experienced Missionaries undertook a Runyankore-Rukiga Language Course in Nyakishenyi and Mushanga.
Fr. Paulino served in a number of parishes in Kabale Diocese, like Rushoroza cathedral parish, Buhara parish, Nyamwegabira parish, Kambuga parish among others.
Beginning of October, he took his first missionary pastoral experience in Kigezi (Rushoroza Parish, Kabale Diocese).
In April 1968, he was transferred to Nyamwegabira then a centre of Makiro Parish in Kanungu District, to start the new Parish together with Father Tanel, and Brother Lucio Cariani.
After a short stay in Italy, in 1970 he returned to Uganda by January 1971. He was called by Bishop Barnabas in 1973 to Kabale in charge of the Lay Apostolate Office.
In 1976, he was transferred to Makiro Deanery in present-day Kanungu District. Here, he founded a new Parish of Kambuga, and would later be joined by Fr. Pasquali and Father Franco between 1981-1989.
In September 1990, Father Paolino was appointed to Kyamuhunga, in Mbarara Diocese with then Bishop of Mbarara John Baptist Kakubi, and the Auxiliary Bishop Bakyenga.
The Comboni Missionary Priest is greatly celebrated for his contribution, dedicated service to the Comboni missionaries and his love for education of the poor African child and better heath for all.
He influenced the establishment of schools like Bishop Comboni College Kambuga, San Giovanni School Makiro and St. Charles Lwanga Zorooma in Rutooma sub parish – Kambuga Parish, in Kanungu District; St Mary’s hospital, schools and has also supported rural banks which have earned him a wonderful experience of cooperation with the Christians and social Community.
He also constructed many schools in Mbarara Diocese like St. Mark Vocational school in Nyakatooma, St. John Baptist Primary School in Ntungamo district among others.
Eulogizing the late priest earlier today at Bitooma catholic parish where he had for confirmation of candidates and inauguration of the Blessed Virgin Mary Glotto, Rt. Rev. Lambert Bainomugisha the ArchBishop of Mbarara Archdiocese commended the selfless services by Fr. Paulino towards promoting education in the region.
The ArchBishop further hailed Local Government minister, Hon. Raphael Magyezi for his support towards the health of late Fr. Paulino.
Earlier today, the ArchBishop first inaugurated a five classroom block at St. Mary’s Primary School and blessed the school. The block was donated by Hon. Min. Magyezi who also facilitated the construction of new pit latrines for the school.
