The late Archbishop of Uganda Orthodox Church Metropolitan Jonah Lwanga who breathed his last on September 5, 2021 in Athens has been laid to rest at St. Nicholas Cathedral Namungoona.
In the words of Reverend Father John Kibuuka Bbosa, the bishop succumbed to prostate cancer: “An autopsy of the late Lwanga as provided to the Church on Monday evening by the hospital where he died in Athens, confirmed the cause of his death,”
At the final send-off, President Yoweri Museveni represented by Vice President Jessica Alupo lauded the late Archbishop saying that his death has robbed the country. “His wise counsel on matters of governance and human rights will be missed,” Museveni said.
Vice-President Alupo said President Museveni will, at a later date lay a wreath on the burial site of the late Metropolitan Jonah Lwanga. She explained that the Government will tomorrow move a motion in Parliament to honour the late Orthodox leader for his contribution to the Church and to the socio-economic development of the nation.
Archbishop of Church of Uganda Stephen Kazimba Mugalu who spoke on behalf of Inter-Religious Council of Uganda (IRCU) said the demise of Archbishop Jonah Lwanga has left a very big vacuum in IRCU.
He said Lwanga will be dearly missed because he was passionate about religious harmony among various denominations in Uganda, as well as his ‘invincible courage’ and being an ‘ardent supporter of the Uganda national dialogue’.
In a condolence message, Charles Peter Mayiga, the Katikkiro of Buganda says 76-year-old Lwanga was an honest champion of human rights, the rule of law, cultural development, and unity of Ugandans. He left a legacy of an inspirational religious leader
The former presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu aka Bobi Wine said Archbishop Lwanga spoke the truth even when the truth was dangerous.
“We are proud to have him in our generation. It is dangerous that we have lost outspoken religious leaders in a short time. It is upon us to carry on the legacy as we lay him to rest. We should stand for what is right,” Bobi Wine said.