Catholic Church speaks out on “new rule” that prevented partaking in Kato Lubwama funeral

According to the initial funeral program which came out shortly after his passing on Wednesday last week, Lubwama’s body was supposed to be brought to the National Theatre today Monday June 12, from where it was to be taken for a funeral service at St Matia Mulumba Church.

It emerged however, that the church had decided immediately not to join in Lubwama's funeral on account of his involvement in witchcraft. The fallen artist was reported to participate actively in witchcraft and to have even constructed traditional shrines behind his house.

Fr. Herbert Galiwango, a priest from Kawanda who was invited to lead an evening mass at Lubwama’s home in Makindye, was quoted saying that he had been warned by his leaders not to lead the service.

Kato Lubwama's body was moved to the National Theater today, Monday June 12 pulse uganda

Following the shocking snub, Pastor Aloysius Bugingo, the head of House of Prayer Ministries in Makerere and a close friend of the deceased stepped to lead the prayers.

Reached out for comments on the saga, Rev Fr Francis Mukasa of St Denis Ssebuggwawo Church Lukuli in Makindye told the media that the church’s hands were tied in regards to Lubwama’s case.

Fr Mukasa says refusal to hold a funeral mass for the celebrated artist was informed by a rule which was made as recently as 2006.

“This is part of the guidelines that were passed by the Archdiocese of Kampala Synod Commission in 2006,” he said.

Among others, Fr Mukasa says, the guidelines prohibit the church from celebrating a funeral of a person who is involved in witchcraft, and one who has renounced the Catholic faith publicly.

“If a person is for instance a witch doctor or operates a shrine and the public is aware of this, even if that person is duly baptized and had all the sacraments, they cannot be buried in the Catholicism traditions,” Mukasa explained.

“We know that everybody wants a decent burial, but you have to work for it. You have to show that commitment when you are still here on earth; that you are a Catholic and you congregate regularly with others. We therefore call up all Catholics and people of other religions to dutifully follow their religions so as not to leave behind troubles like we are seeing now.”

The decision of the Catholic Church to deny Lubwama a proper send-off has been condemned through the past week by his friends and family members.

“The fact that Kato wasn't from my religion doesn't prevent me from standing with him up to the end,” said Lubwama’s best friend Hon Muhammad Nsereko.

“That is what that love is all about. We don't all have to be the same to know that diversity is our strength.”

Lubwama will be laid to rest on Wednesday this week at his ancestral home in Nkozi.