By Gideon Peter Ssebulime

12th April 2023

The final send off of the late Bishop Emeritus of Hoima Catholic Diocese Rt. Rev Albert Edward Baharagate Akiiki has started at Bujumbura Cathedral in Hoima.

The funeral mass has been led by the Archbishop of Mbarara Archdiocese His Grace Lambert Bainomugisha with the co-celebrate Bishops.

These include; chairman Uganda Episcopal Conference Dr Joseph Antony Zziwa, the Pope Nuncio to Uganda H.E Luigi Bianco, Bishop Calistus Rubaramira of Kabale, Vincent Kirabo of Hoima, Bishop Robert Muhiirwa of Fort Portal, Rt. Rev. Phillip Guiseppe the Bishop Emeritus of Kotido, Rt. Rev. Joseph Franzelli Bishop Emeritus of Lira, Rt. Rev. Aquinas Kibira Bishop of Kasese and Rt. Rev. Egdio Nkaijanabo the Bishop Emeritus of Kasese and many priests.

The Central government has been represented by the Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, while the Anglican Church has been represented by the former Archbishop of the church of Uganda Stanly Nagali.

In the homily given by Rt. Rev. Robert Muhiirwa the Bishop of Fort Portal Diocese, he has noted with gratitude the contribution of Bishop Baharagate as a priest and as a responsible Ugandan who always cared for all even after resigning his administrative role as a bishop of Hoima in 1991.

He said for twenty years as a Bishop of Hoima Diocese Bishop Baharagate promoted talent in music, sports and loved others beyond self.

He loved the youth, promoted vocations that is priests, the religious and families, achievements that should be emulated by those still living.

Bishop Baharagate died at 93 years on Wednesday 5th April from Nsambya hospital of ill health.

The final commendation and committal will take place at Bujumbura Episcopal Mausoleum at 1pm.

Bishop Baharagate is among the four Prelates of Ugandan who were consecrated by His Holiness now saint Pope Paul VI in 1969 at Kalolo Airstrip with other Bishops the Late Bishop Serapio Magambo of Fort Portal diocese, Bishop Barnabas Halem’Imana of Kabale and Bishop John Baptist Kakubi of Mbarara.

The late Bishop Baharagate was born February 25, 1930, in Nyamigisa Village, in Masindi District, ordained a priest on December 7, 1958, appointed Bishop of Hoima on July 7, 1969 and consecrated a bishop at Hoima on August 1, 1969.

On March 9, 1991, Baharagate resigned as Bishop of Hoima and was replaced by Bishop Deogratius Byabazaire who has also since passed on.

End


Wednesday 12th April 2023 01:11:01 PM