Remembering Archbishop Cyprian Kizito Lwanga on the Second Anniversary of his Death.

 

Today marks the second anniversary of the passing of Archbishop Cyprian Kizito Lwanga, who died on April 3, 2021, under mysterious circumstances. 

To honor his memory, the Catholic Church held a Mass at Rubaga Cathedral, which was presided over by Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere.

Lwanga was a prominent figure in the Catholic Church in Uganda. Born on January 19, 1953, in Kyabakadde Village, he was ordained as a priest on April 8, 1978, at Rubaga Cathedral by Cardinal Emmanuel Kiwanuka Nsubuga. 

He served as a priest in the Kampala Archdiocese until November 30, 1996.

In 1996, Lwanga was appointed as the first bishop of the Diocese of Kasana-Luweero and consecrated bishop on March 1, 1997. 

He later became the third Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Kampala on August 19, 2006, succeeding Cardinal Emmanuel Wamala, who had resigned.

During his time as archbishop, Lwanga made headlines in February 2020 when he issued a decree that Catholics in the Archdiocese of Kampala could only receive Holy Communion on the tongue and not on the hand.

His last public appearance was on Good Friday, April 2, 2021, during the way of the cross, where he criticized the violations of human rights in Uganda, fueling rumors of him being poisoned. 

The following day, Lwanga was found dead in his house, leading to widespread speculation about the cause of his death. Before and after the January 14 elections, Lwanga had repeatedly expressed fears of being killed. Today's mass served as a solemn tribute to his life and legacy.