KALUNGU – The Vice President Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi has described the Late Bishop Emeritus of Moroto Diocese, Rt. Rev. Henry Ssentongo Lukwago as a true missionary for Jesus Christ who prioritized the welfare of the neighbor above his own.
Ssekandi was speaking as chief government mourner during the burial of the late prelate at Bukalasa Minor Seminary in Kalungu district on Monday, December 16.
Ssekandi delivered the burial contribution of UGX10M from President Yoweri Museveni and his own contribution of UGX5M.
The current Bishop of Moroto Diocese Rt. Rev Damiano Giulio Gezzetti led the requiem and eulogized his predecessor.
“He was a hardworking man with a strong footprint in the Karamoja region despite the tough times under which he served in the area,” he said.
The late Bishop was laid to rest in a church where three other prelates are resting one being Bishop Paul Kalanda.
About Bishop Ssentongo
Bishop Ssentongo was consecrated a bishop on 18 March 1989, by Bishop Adrian Kivumbi Ddungu, then Bishop of Masaka assisted by then-Archbishop Emmanuel Wamala who was then Coadjutor Archbishop of Kampala and Bishop Paul Lokiru Kalanda, Bishop of Moroto.
Ssentongo served in that capacity until 30 March 1992.
Bishop Ssentongo was given the name “Apaloryamam” during his stay in Karamoja, which means a distinguished elder who is fearless in any given situation.
The late Bishop survived assassination attempts on his life for leading a spirited campaign against female genital mutilation in Karamoja, and he died happy that the government had declared the practise illegal in the country.
He was a former member of the board of directors of Uganda joint medical stores (UJMS) and also a board member of PAX insurance company.
Upon retiring as a board member of UJMS, the Bishop, who had no mobile phone, was gifted with one that cost SHS.400, 000. He rebuked the donation and castigated them for their being spendthrifts and consequently donated off the phone.
In his will that was read to mourners, the Bishop ordered that no wreaths be laid on his casket and grave but the money for wreaths be collected and distributed to homes looking after underprivileged people around the country.
