Pope Nuncio eulogises Bishop Baharagate

By Gideon Peter Ssebulime

10^th April 2023

The Pope Nuncio to Uganda Archbishop Luigi Bianco has asked believers to always have hope in life after death.

Presiding over the requiem mass for the late Bishop Emeritus of Hoima Catholic Diocese Rt. Rev Albert Edward Baharagate Akiiki at Lubaga Cathedral today the Nuncio said it’s always good for a Christian to be prepared for an everlasting life.

Assisted by Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere, Bianco prayed for the late for his contribution as a priest since he was ordained.

He also presented the Easter massage of Pope Francis where he called on the congregation to be responsible and care for the poor and needy.

The mass was attended by among others the Katikkiro of Buganda Charles Peter Mayiga, the Catholic community of Hoima diocese living in Kampala metropolitan area under their umbrella Hoima diocese External residents association.

Hoima diocesan Vicar general Msgr Robert Mugisha who represented the ordinary of Hoima Rt. Rev. Vincent Kirabo Amooti, commended His Grace Paul Ssemogerere and his predecessors Dr Cyprian Kizito Lwanga and Cardinal Emmanuel Wamala for the love, support and care rendered to the late bishop Baharagate for over 31 years he served while at Nakulabye parish in Kampala Archdiocese until three years ago when he returned to St. Jude town church Masindi, Hoima diocese.

In his condolence message the Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere said for over 31 years the late has spent as a residence in Naakulabye, he celebrated sacraments, lived exemplary life to the clergy and laity and over saw the creation of three parishes from Nakulabye parish that include St. John Baptist Mapeera Nabulagala, St. Joseph’s Nansana and St. Jude Wakiso.

The late Bishop Baharagate was born on 25^th February 1930 in Nyamigash parish Masindi district to the late Isdore Kwebiha Abwori and Febronia Kabanaku of Aba-yonza clan, baptized on 26^th February 1930, ordained priest on 7^th December 1958 at Bujumbura Fort Porto Diocese, consecrated bishop by Saint Pope VI at Kololo Airstrip, along with the four Prelates who include; 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 installed as bishop of Hoima on 5^th October 1969.

He retired at 61 years of age on 9^th March 1991. He also served as the president of the Red Cross Society from 2007 to 2010. He passed on last Wednesday 5^th April 2023 at Nsambya hospital at 93 years of age.

From Lubaga the body will be transported to St. Jude town Parish in Masindi for a vigil. Tomorrow 11^th April there will be another requiem mass at Nyamigisha parish at 10am and then transported to Bujumbura Cathedral in Hoima at 5pm and 6pm hold another requiem mass take a vigil and on 12^th April 2023 at 10am will start the funeral mass followed by the final commendation and committal at Bujumbura Episcopal Mausoleum at 1pm.

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