Paul Kamuza Bakyenga

Paul Kamuza Bakyenga (30 June 1944 – 18 July 2023) was a Ugandan Roman Catholic priest, who was the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Mbarara, from 2 January 1999. Pope Francis accepted his resignation on 25 April 2020 and appointed Auxiliary Bishop Lambert Bainomugisha as the Archbishop of Mbarara, Uganda.

Early life and priesthood Paul Kamuza Bakyenga was born on 30 June 1944, in Bumbaire Village, Igara sub-county, in present-day Bushenyi District in the Western Region of Uganda.

After teaching briefly at Rushoroza Seminary, in Kabale District, he was then admitted at Katigondo Major Seminary, in Kalungu District to study philosophy but abandoned the course after two years. At this point, Bishop John Baptist Kakubi of Mbarara, sent him to study at St Andrews College in Scotland, where he obtained a degree in Theology.

Career Bakyenga dedicated his life to a distinguished career in the clergy, serving as a priest for 52 years and as a bishop for 34 years. After his ordination, he was appointed Chaplain of Ntare Secondary School for two years. He was Rector of Kitabi Minor Seminary from 1973- 1974.

As bishop Bakyenga was appointed Coadjutor Bishop of Mbarara, Uganda on 6 March 1989. He was consecrated as bishop on 24 June 1989 at Mbarara by Bishop John Baptist Kakubi, Bishop of Mbarara, assisted by Bishop Adrian Kivumbi Ddungu, Bishop of Masaka and Bishop Serapio Bwemi Magambo, Bishop of Fort Portal.

Death Bakyenga died at St. Francis Hospital, Nsambya in Kampala on 18 July 2023, at the age of 79. He was buried "inside the church on the right-hand side of the Altar" of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help at Nyamitanga Hill, the seat of the Archdiocese of Mbarara.