Radio Sapientia’s pioneer staff laid to rest.

By; Jjunju Francis

30^th September 2019

Radio Sapientia’s founding presenter and a veteran journalist John Sentongo  has been laid to rest at his ancestral grounds at Nakasajja , Kiwumu in Mukono district.

Sentongo who has been popularly known as Mwana Mulenzi John Sentongo by the studio name succumbed to pulmonary embolism according to the postmortem report from Mulago hospital on September 29, 2019 at around 8.00am. Pulmonary is a condition that causes a blockage in one of the pulmonary arteries in ones lungs. In most cases, pulmonary embolism is caused by blood clots that travel to the lungs from the legs or, rarely, other parts of the body.

Sentongo served Radio Sapientia since its inception in 2001 June 3^rd when the radio went on air and had also participated in the ground preparations that included formulation of programs, conducting of interviews among other responsibilities along with the first Managing Director of Radio Sapientia Fr. Anthony Matovu.

He was long known for his favourite program memories and more featuring old school songs and Muyizi Akuuma with Br. Anatoli Wasswa of the Banakaloli brothers among other programs he executed whenever need arose.

The staff of the Uganda Catholic Secretariat including Radio Sapientia friends and listeners converged at St. Peter’s Parish Nsambya in a requiem mass to bid him farewell in appreciation for his evangelical contribution through his radio programs.

Rev. Fr. John Baptist Kaganda the executive secretary for pastoral liturgical commission at the Uganda catholic secretariat took a reading from 1^st Sirach 38:16-22 that indicates that at the time of death a humble servant deserves a peaceful and honourable send off, which John deserved because of his enormous contribution to demystify the beliefs in witchcraft that has been coupled with theft, coning people and doing other sorts of evil like human sacrifices.

The head of listeners Mr. Ponsiano Pule and Mr. Patrict Mujjuka and Fr. Anatoli Wasswa all commended the contribution of Sentongo to the Radio and Uganda at large; his simple personality enabled him to fulfill his obligation changing society for better.

The Station Manager of Radio Sapientia Williams Mukisa Sserwadda described Sentongo as a person who cherished proficiency in his programs ready for advise and presentation of new ideas virtues that have been credited by the Managing director Fr. Euctachius Lwemalika and the entire staff of Radio Sapientia.

The Secretary General Uganda Episcopal Conference Msgr. John Baptist Kauta in a speech read for him by Msgr. Francis Ndamira the national director Caritas Uganda praised Sentongo (the deceased) for preserving the culture of truth through his programs with Bro. Anatoli to change people’s attitude and understanding of culture and religion.

He encouraged fellow staff members to emulate him but above all stay committed to the mission of Radio Sapientia being the source of wisdom to proclaim the gospel and evangelise the world.

The late John Sentongo 49, survived with a widow and 12 children.