Bishop Emeritus Bakyenga Celebrates 50 Years of Priesthood

The Archbishop Emeritus Paul Kamuza Bakyenga on Saturday celebrated 50 years of priesthood as he bid farewell to Christians of the Mbarara Archdiocese.

The ceremony to bid farewell to Emeritus Paul Bakyenga was delayed by two years due to the outbreak of Covid-19.

The Most Rev Lambert Bainomugisha the Archbishop of Mbarara Archdiocese commended Bakyenga as a passionate priest who preached the word of God with zeal.

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In his farewell Speech, Bakyenga said he never thought at any one time he would be a Bishop because he had specialized in scripture studies rather canon law.

Bakyenga said it was by the grace of God that he has served the Catholic Church with grace.   

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In the Presidents’ Message read by Robinah Nabbanja the Prime Minister, Museveni asked church leaders to continue emphasizing family values, promote environmental conservation and peaceful resolution of conflicts, and promote unity.

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Gervase Ndyanabo the Chairperson Laity of Mbarara Archdiocese commended Emeritus Bakyenga for his great hard work towards the development of the Mbarara Archdiocese.

The Journey of Emeritus Paul Kamuza Bakyenga as a priest started in 1971 at the age of 27 when he was ordained priest at Mushanga Parish in Bushenyi district. He was appointed the Catholic Chaplain of Ntare School in Mbarara a day after his ordination.

Bakyenga later moved to Nyamitanga Parish as the Curate, He also served as a Rector at Kitabi Seminary, and as a Pastoral Coordinator at Nyamitanga Cathedral.

Emeritus Bakyenga was given 100 Million Shillings as a retirement package by the Christians.

Born in 1944 in Bumbaire Igara Bushenyi district Emeritus Bakyenga was appointed and consecrated Bishop of Mbarara in 1989 replacing Late Bishop John Baptist Kakubi in 1991, who at the time had resigned. 

He was appointed Archbishop of Mbarara in 1999 when Mbarara Diocese was elevated to an archdiocese subsequently making him the first Archbishop of Mbarara Archdiocese until he retired in 2020.