There has been an outpouring of grief on social media sites with Ugandans of all walks of life, paying tribute to fallen Mbarara Archdiocese Emeritus Archbishop Paul Bakyenga.
Bakyenga passed on Tuesday morning at Nsambya Hospital in Uganda’s capital Kampala.
The Speaker of Parliament and her deputy are among those who eulogised Bakyenga suing their social media accounts.
Bakyenga served as the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Mbarara from January 1999. Pope Francis accepted his resignation in 2020 and appointed Auxiliary Bishop Lambert Bainomugisha as the Archbishop of Mbarara.
BELOW ARE SOME OF THE MESSAGES
It is with deep pain that I received the news of the passing of Archbishop Emeritus of Mbarara Archdiocese, His Grace Paul Bakyenga. We shall hold on to his legacy as a unifying factor, dedicated to his calling and his immense contribution to the development of the Country. I… pic.twitter.com/ZHAeAgTnOA
— Anita Annet Among (@AnitahAmong) July 18, 2023
Sadness has again engulfed us with the passing on of His Grace Paul Bakyenga this morning. He has been my spiritual father, a cheer leader, and counselor to many of us. His Grace has been a rare breed of a preacher whose message could deeply resonate with the congregation. He… pic.twitter.com/BU3GjqYcsr
— Thomas Tayebwa (@Thomas_Tayebwa) July 18, 2023
I've just learnt,with deep sorrow, the passing on of Archbishop Paul Bakyenga, God's humble servant who only celebrated 50 years of Priesthood last year. I send my condolences to His family,the Catholic Church,all Christians and people of Uganda.May God rest His Soul in Peace. pic.twitter.com/Y0DhpoDiaF
— Vice President Jessica Alupo (@jessica_alupo) July 18, 2023
It is well. Rest in Peace Your Grace Archbishop Paul Bakyenga May the angels welcome you in Paradise. I shall never forget you for lifting me up as a poor boy at Kitabi Seminary pic.twitter.com/1QhKgrvlBA
— Arinaitwe Rugyendo🇺🇬 (@RugyendoQuotes) July 18, 2023
I extend my heartfelt condolences on the passing of Archbishop Paul Bakyenga of Mbarara Diocese.His dedicated service and profound impact on our community will be deeply missed. I extend my sympathies to his family,friends and all those affected by this loss.
— DR. CHRIS BARYOMUNSI (@CHRISBARYOMUNS1) July 18, 2023
R.I.P🙏 pic.twitter.com/qUC2CQxEfu
I join Mother Church to mourn the passing of His Grace Paul Kamuza Bakyenga, the Emeritus Archbishop of Mbarara who died this morning at Nsambya Hospital.
— Mathias Mpuuga (@MathiasMpuuga) July 18, 2023
Archbishop Bakyenga had an illustrious career in the Lord's vineyard where he served 52 years as a priest, 32 years as a… pic.twitter.com/VBwPUzEQxo
With heavy hearts, we join the Catholic Church and the world to mourn the demise of the Archbishop Emeritus of Mbarara Archdiocese, His Grace Paul Bakyenga. Our hearts are going out to you during this soul-crushing time.
— FDC (@FDCOfficial1) July 18, 2023
We are praying for the soul of Bakyenga, whose spiritual… pic.twitter.com/qzD1cMiAuJ
I grew up in Nyamitanga, my mother was a teacher at Maryhill highchool, i did part of my primary at St Aloysious while doing holiday coaching at St Hellens and my Senior One at Jovoc. This man of God was there all through.
— Theradioguy (@kellamckenzie) July 18, 2023
May the Soul of Archbishop Paul Kamuza Bakyenga RIP pic.twitter.com/wEw5l81eU7
We stand in solidarity with the entire Catholic fraternity as we come together to extend our heartfelt prayers for our esteemed Archbishop, Most Rev. Emeritus Paul K. Bakyenga, the retired Archbishop of our diocese, who has gone to be with the Lord. pic.twitter.com/MCFivnq8ba
— St. Joseph's Vocational School Mbarara (@Jovoc2019) July 18, 2023
In Loving Memory of Archbishop Emeritus Paul Kamuza Bakyenga, a beloved soul who brought joy and kindness into our lives. May His Soul Rest in Eternal Peace 🙏🏼#coufamilytv pic.twitter.com/W0kw3b53g4
— COU Family TV (@coufamilytv) July 18, 2023
We have with great Sorrow learnt of the passing on of Archbishop Emeritus of Mbarara Archdiocese, His Grace Paul Bakyenga. We commiserate with the Family, the Uganda Episcopal Conference, the Catholic Church & the People of Mbarara Archdiocese. May his soul rest in eternal peace! pic.twitter.com/gjqZpcZ1Nr
— Alliance for National Transformation (@TheAllianceUG) July 18, 2023
RIP Arch Bishop Paul Bakyenga. He was a humble servant, a good preacher who used simple examples to deliver his message, a just man, readily available when needed, he didn't believe in bureaucracies, a good shepherd who related with flock & pro people. May his Soul Rest in Peace pic.twitter.com/JWHzkLgqL6
— Mwijukye Francis (@MwijukyeFrancis) July 18, 2023
When I visited him in December 2022, he gifted me with a bible he had got from Rome and since then I committed to share Bible verses on my WhatsApp status Everyday. We pray that Emeritus Archbishop Paul K. Bakyenga continues to rest well.@ugcatholics @edson_kinene @AsiimweDidas5 pic.twitter.com/ncDzGLeDyE
— Ainebyoona Felix (@felixainebyona) July 18, 2023
Rest with angels our former archbishop Paul bakyenga🙏🙏 pic.twitter.com/rHXWSMMiXJ
— ISINGIRO'S FINEST 🇺🇬 @the real V8 🌟🌟 (@v8_real) July 18, 2023
Saddened to hear about the passing of Paul K Bakyenga, the Archbishop Emeritus of Mbarara Archdiocese. My condolences go out to his family, friends and the entire Mbarara Archdiocese community. pic.twitter.com/bu4ZBAagJo
— Hon. Julius Tusiime Karuhanga (@JuliusTusiimeK) July 18, 2023
God visited us this morning & called back to himself His Grace Archbishop Paul K. Bakyenga Emeritus of Mbarara Archdiocese. We commiserate with Arch. @Lambert, the clergy & the lay of faithful of the Archdiocese upon the passing on of His Grace.
— Zephline Muhangi (@ZephMuhangi) July 18, 2023
RIP 🙏@KagutaMuseveni @Pontifex pic.twitter.com/FMotG69uPP
Really sad to learn about the demise of Emeritus Archbishop of Mbarara Archdiocese ,Paul Bakyenga. Very sad news indeed. He passed on this early morning 7:15 am at Nsambya hospital.
— Uganda Martyrs University (@umunkozi) July 18, 2023
May his soul rest in peace. 💔🕊️ pic.twitter.com/6dgLIRCm2Q