By Agnes Kiconco

KIU, Main Campus - Uganda Martyrs Catholic Shrine, Namugongo in Wakiso District has on Wednesday, 7th April mourned the death of Archbishop Dr. Cyprian Kizito Lwanga who was found dead in his room on Saturday morning. The deceased succumbed to Ischemic heart disease following coronary heart thrombosis, according to a post-mortem report from Mulago national referral hospital.

While at Namugongo, Christians were given the opportunity to view the body of the deceased and pay their last respects. Thereafter, a requiem mass was held to pray for the departed Archbishop. 

According to the burial programme issued by the Vicar General of Kampala Archdiocese, the Rt. Rev Msgr Charles Kasibante on Monday, Archbishop Lwanga’s body will be taken to Rubaga Cathedral, where a funeral vigil will be held after the function at Namugongo.

"Lwanga will finally be laid to rest inside Lubaga Cathedral on Thursday, 8th April. The funeral mass will start at 10:00 am presided over by the reigning Chairman of the Uganda Episcopal Conference, the Rt Rev Prof Joseph Antony Zziwa," read the issued burial programme.

During the state funeral on Tuesday, 6th April at Kololo Independence Grounds in Kampala, President Museveni alongside other politicians and selected individuals paid their last respects to the late Archbishop Lwanga.

While at the state funeral, President Museveni grieved the loss of the deceased saying, "although religion gives us the comfort that when we die, it is because God has called us, I want our people to stay here as long as possible. Hence doctors should have explored all options when dealing with known conditions like the one that killed Archbishop Lwanga."

Regarding the sudden death and great loss of an influential religious leader, the Christian community, alongside the rest of the nation, continue to mourn the demise of Archbishop Lwanga as they pray for his soul to rest in eternal peace.