Fr Mudduse was an admirable preacher

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CELEBRATING LIFE 

On November 26, the Catholic faithful of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kiyinda-Mityana converged at their cathedral at Kiyinda-Mityana to commemorate the Feast of Christ the King. 

The day also marked the 42nd anniversary of the diocese. The Rev. Fr Lawrence Mudduse Yawe, hitherto the curate of the newly-established parish of Lwebisiriiza (in Kyankwanzi district) was among the hundreds of pilgrims at the event. 

He spent the day at the cathedral, in a jovial mood. In the evening, he jumped into his car, a modest Suzuki and started driving back to his station (Lwebisiriiza). 

On reaching Beekiina (on the Kiboga-Hoima road), the most unfortunate happened. It is reported that Mudduse saw a boda boda coming his way. 

He tried to dodge it, to save the life of the rider. Unfortunately, his car crashed head-on with a commuter vehicle. Fr Mudduse got trapped in his damaged car. 

Some Good Samaritans, who were travelling in a taxi from Bukwiiri saw him struggling in pain and tried to rescue him. The rescuers had to cut the door of the badly damaged car to get Mudduse out. 

They then took him to a hospital in Kiboga, where the doctors offered first aid after which they referred him to Nsambya Hospital. However, as the ambulance approached Bukomero, Fr Mudduse succumbed to the fatal injuries and severe bleeding. 

His body was taken to Mityana Hospital. He was later taken to Kiyinda-Mityana Cathedral, where he was buried on November 29. 

The funeral of Fr Mudduse reminded me of the centurion (the Roman soldier), who is mentioned in Matthew 27:54. After witnessing the incredible things that happened as Jesus was dying on the cross, the centurion said: “Surely, this man was the son of God.” 

I found myself in the position of the centurion. I witnessed a number of extraordinary things that made me realise that Mudduse was not an ordinary person. 

I was particularly marvelled by the number of mourners, who filled up the Cathedral and its spacious compound. The priests were also many that they occupied half of the Cathedral. 

The heavy rain that fell suddenly at the start of the funeral procession (after mass) also took everybody by surprise. So, what were the unsung wonders of Fr Mudduse that made his funeral an extraordinary affair? 

Well, Mudduse had several wonderful attributes that were well-highlighted by Fr John Chrysostom Kyazze, his former student and later clerical colleague. 

According to Kyazze, Fr Mudduse was a true priest of the Roman Catholic Church, who performed his sacerdotal ministry with admirable love, zeal and determination. 

He said Mudduse’s priesthood was reflected in every aspect of his life. He was sacerdotal in his deposition that nobody could doubt the purity of his ministry. 

Kyazze also acknowledged Mudduse’s knowledge of sacred liturgy. He described him as a wonder preacher, who delivered the Word of God with deep understanding and conviction. 

Kyazze also marvelled at Mudduse’s commitment to vulnerable people, including children, the sick and the elderly. 

He further described him as a great researcher, passionate farmer and practical environmental activist. The reigning Bishop of Kiyinda-Mityana, the Rt. Rev. Prof. Joseph Antony Zziwa, also spoke highly of Mudduse’s sacerdotal commitment. 

The prelate marvelled at Mudduse’s charismatic gift of preaching, particularly his skilful use of African proverbs/riddles as he delivered his homilies.

“Fr Mudduse has worked well with the people. He has continuously strived for eternal life. He has used every available means, including nature and social media to preach the Gospel,” Zziwa said. 

The Katikkiro of Buganda, Charles Peter Mayiga, expressed admiration for Mudduse’s knowledge of the African culture and norms. 

He said Mudduse had the ability to interpret the scriptures about African culture/philosophy further to demonstrate the rich rhyme between Christianity and African culture. 

Mayiga later spoke highly of Mudduse, describing him as a great African philosopher and author with many interesting publications, among them a book on Emmanuel Cardinal Wamala (The Strength of Meekness). 

He commended Mudduse for sharing his wisdom with the Christians to whom he preached from the pulpit, the future priests he taught at Kinyamasika National Seminary for over a decade, and all the Ugandans to whom he talked through his publications and public lectures. 

he Katikkiro asked the Christians of Kiyinda-Mityana and all Ugandans to acknowledge that what matters is not the years that one lives, but how the person lives in the years they live.

The MP for Mityana Municipality, Francis Zaake, praised Fr Mudduse for his spirited fight against land-grabbing. 

He described Mudduse as a passionate and steadfast crusader for justice and human rights. 

Fact file  

The Rev. Fr Mudduse Yawe was born on February 4, 1971, in Minana (a village in Mityana district) to the late Matia Yawe Ssebutemba and Maama Maria Christine Nannono, a staunch Catholic couple. 

He had his primary education at St. Noa Primary School, Kisule (1976-1979), St. Noa Primary School, Kiyinda-Mityana (1980– 1982), and Nswanjere Junior Seminary (1983–1985). 

He did his secondary/ higher education at Sacred Heart Seminary, Mubende (1986–1992) from where he joined Katigondo Grand National Major Seminary (Philosophy, 1992–1995) and later St. Mary’s National Major Seminary, Ggaba (Theology, 1996-2000). 

He was ordained a Deacon of the Roman Catholic Church by Bishop Joseph Mukwaya (RIP) on July 17, 1999. 

A year later, on July 15, 2000, the same prelate ordained him a priest at Kiyinda-Mityana Cathedral. 

After his ordination, Fr. Mudduse pursued advanced studies, including a master’s degree in sacred liturgy at the University of St. Mary of the Lake, Mundelein Seminary in the US and, a master’s degree in communication and journalism at the University of Lewis (still in the US). 

He did the two courses between 2001 and 2006. Fr Mudduse has been a priest for 23 years during which he has served in several parishes and institutions, including Mubende parish (curate, 2000-2001), Kiyinda-Mityana diocesan Social Communications Department (2006-2007), Kinyamasika National Seminary (lecturer, 2007–2019), Buyambi Parish (curate, 2019–2023) and Lwebisiriiza parish (curate, from October 5 to November 26, 2023). 

Biblical reflection  

Not to us, Lord, not to us, but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness. Why do the nations say, “Where is their God?” Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him (Psalm115:1-3).

Mudduse's miracles 

Mudduse died at 52, which corresponds perfectly with the number of days (52 days) he spent at Lwebisiriiza parish following his transfer from Buyambi. 

Mudduse shares the fate of Cardinal George Pell, the Australian Prelate and inaugural prefect of the Vatican Secretariat for the Economy, who died in January this year. 

Like Pell, Mudduse was imprisoned for crimes they did not commit (in 2019). Both Pell and Mudduse were acquitted, despite the deliberate campaign (by some people) to keep them in jail whether guilty or not. 

Mudduse’s imprisonment made him even more popular than ever. There was a grand celebration after his release as the case was with Pell, whose release invoked jubilation and celebration among the inmates. 

Pell was positive about his imprisonment. He knew that the prophet of righteousness could not avoid persecution. 

He prophesied his fate as he delivered his homily during the requiem mass for the Australian politician, Bartholomew Augustine Santamaria in 1998. 

Pell said: “We are told that the sure mark of a false prophet is that all people speak well of him.” Fr Mudduse was also not moved when he was maliciously imprisoned. 

When I paid him a courtesy call after his release, he said to me: “My brother, Mazinga, what has happened to me should not demoralise you. 

Jesus my Master was righteous, but he was persecuted and even crucified. Who am I not to be persecuted?