Anglican church mourns Bishop Emeritus Ssekadde

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Namirembe Diocese and the Anglican community in Uganda are mourning the passing of Bishop Emeritus Samuel Balagadde Ssekadde, who died at Kisubi Hospital at the age of 80.

According to the family, the bishop passed away on Monday evening. Ruth Ninsiima, his adopted daughter, mentioned that he was in good health over the weekend and made his final public appearance at an event in Kazo.

However, she noted that he felt weak in the evening, and his condition worsened, prompting them to rush him to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Ninsiima added that the bishop, like many older individuals, had been dealing with some health issues, including hypertension. However, they are unsure of the exact cause of his death and are awaiting the postmortem report. At the time of writing this story, the bishop’s body was at Mulago for examination.

Andrew Nasasira, one of the security personnel in the home, told our reporter that throughout the day the bishop was well and they were planning for an event which was supposed to be held on Tuesday at the home. Nasasira added that in the evening when the bishop’s condition worsened, Maama Allen Ssekadde, the bishop’s wife, called him and urged him to quickly find someone nearby for assistance. He called their neighbour, who came to help take the bishop to the hospital.

Available information indicates that during the day, the bishop was preparing for an event scheduled at Jjungo Parish, where he was expected to confer the sacrament of confirmation on several students.

The parish priest noted that earlier that day, the bishop had called the archdeacon to confirm the program, as retired bishops can only perform such duties upon request from the current bishop. “He was inquiring whether the bishop had sent a letter regarding the Sunday event, and the archdeacon confirmed it had been sent. They discussed the organization and related matters, and the letter was later shared with him on WhatsApp.”

Since his death was announced, many people have been visiting his home in Bugonga, located on the shores of Lake Victoria. Amid the gentle breeze, surrounded by lush greenery, and with the sounds of aeroplanes landing and taking off at Entebbe Airport, mourners gathered to worship and praise.

The famous Anglican hymn “Tukurendereza Yezu” was one of the key songs that mourners sang repeatedly. As they sang, some shared stories about the dearly departed, while others recounted their last meetings with him and where they were when they heard the news of his passing. They also shared general testimonies about their experiences as Anglicans and the impact the bishop had on their lives.

Members of the clergy serving in Entebbe remarked that the late bishop was known for his humility and kindness to everyone. Led by Rev William Mpalanyi they noted that for many years, they gathered at his home annually on Good Friday to share in fellowship.

Rev Mpalanyi described the bishop as someone who upheld established doctrines and practices within the Church, prioritizing core beliefs. In many meetings with the clergy, he emphasized the importance of resisting the waves of modernization, encouraging them to focus on preaching and practising according to the Church’s traditions and the philosophy of the Church of Uganda.

Other faithful, like Lugemwamwa, recalled his time as the bishop of Namirembe, highlighting his leadership, which spanned many years and was characterized by a commitment to both spiritual growth and social transformation. They noted that the bishop consistently encouraged Christians to actively engage in both their spiritual and material development. “He found that Bishop Misaeri Kauma had initiated several projects, which Bishop Balagadde completed. He also started many new initiatives to support the vulnerable and help those affected by HIV. Spiritually, he expanded the ministry by opening more parishes and churches within the diocese, leading many to Christ,” Lugemwamwa shared.

Other mourners who turned up at his home described him as a humble man who dedicated his life to Christ. These sentiments were reflected in what is believed to be the bishop’s last public appearance in Kazo, where he attended the burial of Mrs. Norah Karakire.

In a message shared on social media, which our reporter has verified, the bishop told those in attendance that it is wise to be in Christ, as no one knows when their time will come. “Tomanyi nze addako oba gwe addako,” he said in Luganda, which loosely translates to “You never know if it will be me or you who dies next.”

Tragically, his time has indeed come. The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, His Grace Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu, praised Bishop Ssekadde’s contributions in his tribute, stating, “Bishop Ssekadde was a visionary leader with many ideas for strengthening the Church. He will be greatly missed as a teacher and a dedicated servant of the Church of God.”

According to the program released by Namirembe diocesan Bishop Moses Banja, the deceased’s body will arrive at Bugonga, his home, at 6:00 pm on Tuesday. A funeral service and vigil will be held throughout the night.

On Wednesday, there will be a funeral service at St. Mark’s Church, Entebbe, at 11:00 AM. Afterwards, the body will be taken to St. Paul Cathedral, Namirembe, where a holy communion funeral service will take place at 7:00 pm, followed by a vigil throughout the night.

Ssekadde will be interred at Namirembe Cemetery on Thursday, after a funeral service.

Bishop Banja explained that once a bishop “marries” the church, he effectively becomes its own, and even after his death, he is buried at the cathedral where they served. He added that their spouses can also be buried in the same location if requested.

Who is Bishop Emeritus Samuel Balagadde Ssekadde?

Available information shows that Bishop Ssekadde was born on January 31, 1944, to Michael and Terefina Kyobe in Kitekannya village, located in Luweero district.

He grew up in a devout Christian family that instilled in him strong values and faith. His educational journey began at Semuto Preparatory School, followed by Ndejje Secondary School and Lubiri Secondary School. He continued his studies at Iganga Teachers College and later earned a BA in Social Work and Social Administration from Makerere University.

He furthered his education with an MA in Development Administration from Birmingham University. At the age of 24, in 1968, Bishop Ssekadde felt a calling to the Christian ministry. He received pastoral training at Bishop Tucker Theological College in Mukono and the Mindolo Ecumenical Foundation in Zambia.

He married Allen Ssekadde, and together they raised a family that includes both biological and adopted children, along with several grandchildren.

In 1994, he was consecrated as the fourth Bishop of Namirembe, succeeding Bishop Misaeri Kitemaggwa Kauma. During his tenure, he spearheaded initiatives in education, health, and community development. He retired in 2009 and was succeeded by Wilberforce Kityo Luwalira, who also recently retired, handing over the mantle to the current bishop, Moses Banja.

Although he was known for his charisma, as his stewardship of the diocese was winding down, Bishop Sekadde faced accusations of illegally selling some church property. Upon his retirement, which came a few months earlier than expected, he sought to mend bridges and asked the faithful to forgive him for any shortcomings during his tenure.

After retiring, he didn’t simply return home to rest; he continued to serve the Church he was passionate about. Over time, he assisted the sitting bishops with various pastoral activities within Namirembe and beyond.

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URN