Monsignor Anatoli Kamya: 58 years of dedicated, exemplary priesthood

By Valerian Kkonde

PEARL NEWS SERVICE

OBITUARY 

Msgr. Anatoli Kamya

August 11, 2015 will mark exactly six years since Msgr. Anatoli Kamya crossed to the other side of the bridge.

He had spent the last two weeks of his life in Nsambya St. Raphael of St. Francis’ hospital and that was where he breathed his last at 1.45pm on August 11, 2009.

He was born to the late Publius Kobodio Kizza Afatawoza and Tereza Namuswe Basirikabamanyi, of Koba- Ggwanika, Nanseenya sub Parish in Namagunga Parish. Msgr. Kamya was the third born in the family of three boys and three girls, and the eldest of the boys. Publius Kobodio was the Catechist at Nanseenya Sub Parish. When he retired, he was succeeded by his son, Joseph Mpiima who followed Msgr. Kamya.

Monsignor’s other name was Kibirango but the priests in Nyenga Seminary discouraged him from using it reasoning that he should be consistent with Anatoli and Kamya. He told me that his grandparents loved the name a lot because it is unique to the Mpeewo clan to which he belonged.

His joining of St. Joseph’s Seminary Nyenga, in 1937, was sort of a miracle, although he had always wanted to become a priest. Msgr. Kamya started his school life in 1931 as a Catechumen at Namagunga Parish. From 1932 to 1935 he was attending the Elementary Vernacular School at Namagunga. At the time, the Primary School Education programme comprised of only four classes; from primary one to four.

In 1936 he joined the Normal School at Nsambya. This was the equivalent of a Teacher Training College (TTC) and it was the only one in the Region. After only one year, the Administration decided to relocate to Ngora in Teso- Eastern Uganda. It was further revealed that of the twelve students, only six would be accommodated in the new premises. Selection of the six to proceed to Ngora was to be by examination.

Kamya was the seventh thus ending his life at the TTC but again opening up for him the opportunity to pursue his childhood dream: priesthood!

Back at home, he got courage and revealed his priestly ambitions to the Parish Priest, Fr. Kerkhoff. Namagunga Christians had named him Kuufu; that is how they managed to pronounce his name.

Fr. Kuufu readily welcomed his idea and immediately wrote to the Rector of Nyenga Seminary introducing him. He was admitted even without going through the usual interview procedure!

In January 1937 he joined Nyenga Seminary. Nyenga Seminary is located on a hill known as Njala-egobye, some four miles on the shores of the mighty River Nile.  

Fr. Renkens was their Rector. Fr. Renkens had driven Kamya to Nsambya when he was going to join the TTC.

 Priests-staff members originated from England, Holland and Austria. Here they studied English, Latin, Luganda Grammar, Religious Knowledge, Syntax, Poetry and Rhetoric.

The Seminarians were from Buganda, Lango, Teso, Bugisu and Busoga Regions. Others came from as far as Kenya.

A strict code of Rules was the order of the day. All the important Seminary rules were pinned on the notice board. If one broke any of these rules, he was supposed to report himself to the Master of Discipline. And if one was discovered to be in the wrong, without prior reporting, then dismissal would follow depending on the seriousness of the offense.

An example of the rules was this: Nunquam solus, raro duo, semper Tres meaning that: never alone, rarely two and always three. This was the rule for their walks on Sundays.

In 1944 Anatoli Kamya, John Baptist Kanyi and Joseph Kalyabe were received at Ggaba Major Seminary. Their former teacher in Nyenga, Fr. Molda, was the Rector and these were the only ones remaining of the 17 who had joined Nyenga Seminary. The three were ordained priests on 9/9/ 1951 at St. Peter’s Cathedral Nsambya by Bishop Billington. Only Joseph Kalyabe is still alive and works in Kasana- Luweero Diocese.

The staff in Ggaba comprised of mainly old priests including Fr. Glimson who had baptized Kamya in Nkokonjeru as a kid! Subjects taught were Philosophy and Theology. All textbooks were in Latin apart from some explanations in English. Latin was the only foreign language that they were allowed to learn and use.

Kamya and classmates received their Sub- deaconate Orders on 24/12/ 1950 at Nsambya. They were ordained Deacons on 17/3/ 1951 at Ggaba Seminary.

Fr. Kamya had the opportunity of celebrating his First Mass at his home Parish, Namagunga, on 12/9/1951. The newly ordained were given one month to visit their relatives. The idea was to go round their respective Parishes so that people see them. It was also a way of attracting others to Priesthood. This practice is around even today.

Fr. Kamya worked in the Parishes of Nsambya, Namugongo, Nkokonjeru, Namagunga and Busowa as a Curate. He was Parish Priest of Namiryango, Nsambya, Christ the King, Nandere and Naggulu Parishes. He was also the Rector of Nyenga Seminary from 1977- 1981.

On 20^th September 1966, he was appointed Vicar General of Kampala Archdiocese. On 16/12/1967 he received the honour of Monsignor.

The late Joseph Mpiima was my father. It was through that relationship that I got the opportunity to be close to Msgr. Kamya for a number of years. I also stayed with him for the last two weeks of his life which he spent in hospital.

I saw him use his energy, intellect, humour and common sense to proclaim Christ and fulfill his sacerdotal obligations and help many find meaning and direction in life.

As a teenager, Msgr. warned me about alcohol; he told me never to take alcohol when I have a lot of challenges. He said that the temptation of believing that alcohol helps fight them off can easily take hold of me and thus become an addict! He also warned me against the habit of taking alcohol, alone in my room. He reasoned that it is safe to drink with friends so that in case you are overdoing it, they can help you out.

On a number of occasions Msgr. kept reminding me about the importance of discipline, self control and self respect, being straight forward, being bold with the truth and humble. He said that these bring out the best in a person; they are also the defining difference between a person and animals. One of Msgr.’s slogans was: a liar is a thief, and a thief is a liar. He tolerated none.

From 1977- 1981 Msgr. Kamya was the Rector at his Alma Mater- St. Joseph’s Seminary Nyenga. As a ten-year old then, I remember very well how he used to come to Nanseenya driving a lorry to collect bananas for his seminarians.

On some occasions our garden-like roads were slippery after a down pour. Memories of him steering the Bedford lorry from one side to the other, in a bid to remain on the road, are also fresh in my mind; it is as if these incidences happened yesterday.

Suspenders and a hat were his trade mark whenever he was coming to the gardens. Then, he was a smoker and his belly bulged. He had just concluded his nine years as Vicar General of Kampala Archdiocese.

It was in Nandere Parish where I witnessed the best in Msgr. Kamya as a priest. He was the Parish Priest from 1982- 1990. These were very trying years as Nandere was in the middle of the guerrilla war that brought Museveni and group to power.

The five-year guerrilla war was characterized by gruesome murders and killings, destructions, displacements and robberies. It vividly brought out the beast in humans: hatred, envy, treachery and selfishness were at their best!

By then I was studying at Nyenga Seminary. Whenever possible, I would go and visit him in the war triangle as it was called. He always received me very warmly and would narrate to me all that had transpired like I had a solution to offer!

In spite of the prevailing situation, Msgr. continued with his sacerdotal obligations as if everything was normal. Yet sporadic gunshots, wailings, murders, constant troop movements, torture and displacement of people had become the norm. And not knowing when the war would end, anyone committed to his duty would just put up with all this. That is exactly what Monsignor did!

The morning daily Masses were always conducted and a few Christians living very near the Church would turn up. The road to Ndejje passed just at the steps of the main entrance to the Church.   

One day armed men in military uniform shot dead Kayiza, at the steps of the Church, as he left after Mass. Kayiza was a former religious Brother, and since he lived very near, he always came for the morning Mass. It was difficult to tell who actually carried out this murder; the guerrillas often times put on the same uniforms worn by government soldiers. Most especially whenever a chance to black mail the government availed itself.

It later transpired that a lot of atrocities were committed by Museveni’s rebels so as to win the populace to their side.

Nandere Parish was two miles away from the main Kampala- Gulu road. Branching off at Kalule trading centre, one had to cross the Lumansi river. It was an expanse of a stream, in the valley, with thick papyrus and deserted. Immediately after crossing you turn left at the Luyobyo junction, and then climb through a thick forest which surrounded the Parish.

The forest had a lot of jack fruits and was an attraction to children until stray pigs- turned wild, soldiers, as well as rebels kept them away.

Immediately after the forest, you bump into the primary school buildings, the Convent, the drums house and the catechist’s house, then the priests’ house and the Church in that order. The other side of the Church is the Secondary School also managed by the Church.

As the war raged on, heavily armed men in military uniform and reeking with alcohol would, in the dead of the night, attack the Convent and try to force the doors open. When the sisters made the alarm, Msgr. Kamya would put on his cassock; light his lantern and dash for the attackers! Such attacks took place a number of times.

Msgr. Kamya would then demand to know what they were doing in the Convent at that time and would order them out immediately. On all occasions the attackers complied! He then followed them into the forest until he was convinced they were not returning!

Even the people in Luyobyo and Kalule felt insecure whenever Msgr. Kamya was away from the Parish. Word spread like a bush fire that he was away or had returned. Parishioners used to say that mentioning his name to the men in uniform was enough to secure one freedom and offer protection to their property.

On one visit, I found that the situation had deteriorated so much that I asked him to leave. His response was that if he left the Parish would be destroyed, before adding that he could still push on. By this time Kijaguzo Parish had been deserted and down.

Msgr. Kamya however told me that he was considering telling Fr. Anthony Katumbula Mubinge to leave. Fr. Katumbula was the youthful curate. Fr. Katumbula, from our conversations, drew courage from Msgr. Kamya’s perseverance and determination. I am sure he too would not accept to leave Msgr. Kamya behind. I doubt whether another priest could accept to be posted in this danger zone.

Fr. Katumbula once told me that he was attracted to priesthood by Msgr. Kamya and that he had always guided and inspired him. Fr. Katumbula’s home Parish is Namiryango and Msgr. Kamya was there as the Parish Priest from 1963- 1964.

Again while in Nandere, I witnessed Msgr. Kamya’s love for the elderly and orphans. He would buy for them necessities like sugar, soap, rice and clothing. He visited them often. He did the same whenever he visited his people in Nanseenya. The children he supported in school from Nandere were orphans. Margaret Atyeno, Almansi Ssettimba and Teopista Mulama followed him to Naggulu where he was Parish Priest from 1991- 2001.

It was in Nandere that he gave up smoking. He used to smoke cigarettes but due to the scarcity brought about by war, he bought a pipe and took to growing his own tobacco. Parishioners used to bring him bundles of tobacco.  One time during Lenten period, he gave the pipe to Mulama to hide. He had told her that he will have it back after Lent. But after Lent he told her to “take it as a souvenir or even start smoking.”

Some how God rewarded Msgr. while still alive given the care, love and support he was accorded in his old days. As he became frail, Parishioners did everything possible to support him. A Christian used to travel to Nairobi- Kenya to purchase beads so that he could keep himself busy making rosaries. While a Seminarian in Nyenga, a priest had taught him to make rosaries.

Msgr. Kamya spent most of his Thursdays during his last years, preparing couples for marriage. Frail and shaking in the right hand, priests and Parishioners would tell that he was not well if he missed Mass. He often joked that he had a very simple job: say Mass, Preach and administer sacraments. “No one can fail to perform such an easy task.”

While he was still strong, banana plantations were some of the trade mark of where he worked. He even reared chicken and cows. Dogs were also his friends.

In our conversations Msgr. always expressed gratitude for living this long. He felt greatly privileged to have been Rector and to have trained many priests. And many priests who had gone through his guidance regarded him as a great father. He used to say that he would work with any one irrespective of character and age. 

Msgr. Kamya used to say that training young men to become priests is a big challenge. Priests in Seminaries have to always understand those young men because they never intend anything bad.

When he retired as Parish Priest of Naggulu, he was succeeded by his youthful curate Fr. Edward Muwanga. Even the third priest, Fr. Luzindana was newly ordained. Msgr. was worried that as he became weak and weaker, he would be a bother to these young priests. One time he told me that it would be better if the old priests like him got a special home for themselves.

Hypertensive and diabetic, Msgr. remained positive and jovial in his challenging state. Even the young priests were very supportive and stood by him to the last. For the last two weeks in hospital, visiting Msgr. crowned Fr. Muwanga’s day. Fr. Muwanga, during burial, said he was greatly privileged to have worked closely with Msgr. He told mourners that this had offered him a great opportunity which other priests may never get. 

A man of great humour, he used to joke about his loss of teeth. He would say that children often ask him why he is always eating sweets during Mass.

On the day of his Sacerdotal Golden Jubilee, he urged his fellow priests to keep the original zeal they had when they were ordained.

“The older among you, encourage the young and the young support the old. Do not let yourselves be carried away by fashions which come and go, but be determined to serve in truth.”

He thanked the Seminarians for coming to “join us and increase our institution of the Priesthood. What is required of you is to be determined most firmly and to renew this determination every day, every month and every year to love the Priesthood alone. God’s providence will give you everything you need for your work.”

Thanking the Religious for their decision to belong only to Christ, he asked them to always, as they visit Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, to pray for the priests to remain firm.

For the Laity he had this to say: “I notice that you feel happy and proud to have your own priests who serve and make the Catholic Church increase. You should never forget, however, that it is you who give these Priests to the Church, since you form the First Seminary in which the first thought of becoming a Priest is given and fostered.

Never be an obstacle to the Priestly or Religious Vocations of your children by giving them wrong ideas or bad examples. Strive after being good and exemplary parents in all aspects.”

On the morning of July 27, 2009 at about 7.40am I got a telephone call from my younger brother Fr. Anthony Sseryazi Mugambe informing me that Msgr. Kamya had been admitted in Nsambya hospital- St. Gonzaga Intensive Care Unit. He was asking me to go there and find out about his condition.

Fortunately I was on my way to work. And when I decide to foot to work, I pass by the hospital. In fact I was some ten minutes away! When I got there I found Doctors and my former schoolmate at Nyenga Seminary, Olupot Albert, attending to him. Even Winnie, the Secretary to the St Jude Thaddeus devotion, was around. Albert and Winnie had become the eyes, ears and everything of Msgr. Kamya during his frail days. They traversed the country with him as they promoted the St. Jude Devotion. Msgr. Kamya had become the Director in 1997 after the death of his classmate and founder, Msgr. John Baptist Kanyi. They told me that he had been transferred from Medicare Clinic.

Msgr. was seated on the bed with his back to those who were attending to him. The curtain of the room where he was had been partly drawn and I could clearly see him as I entered. I stopped a little while as he stared at me. I beckoned him and seemed to respond but was very week to stand up on his own.

When I told Fr. Anthony Mugambe that Msgr.’s condition was worrying, he promised to join me soon. By mid day he was at the hospital. He had been on his way to Fort Portal for a month’s holiday. He cancelled the holiday and pitched camp at Nsambya Parish so that he could closely monitor the situation.

The following day he went into coma but gained consciousness on Wednesday. On August 1, we left St. Gonzaga for the Private Ward Room 7 in the Madvani Building. As we left the ICU, the nurses asked him if he had had anything to eat. He calmly told them that those attending to him eat whatever is brought. This sent the nurses into laughter.

On the morning of August 3 at 1.48am I witnessed something strange. Msgr. lay on his back and was unstable in bed. I was seated in a chair I had placed beside his feet, facing him. I stood up and held his Right hand to sooth him. Suddenly he calmed down and slowly removed his hand from mine as he steadily looked in the opposite direction.

He folded his palms together as in prayer. His back was raised from the bed as he tried to sit. He remained in that position for about a minute and looked pious and detached from all around him.

“Maama ntwala mu kiwummulo eky’emirembe,” Msgr. prayed. This means that Mother Mary lead me to everlasting life. He said this three times and then slowly lay back. His dentures had been removed but the words were very clear and audible! Interestingly those were the last words he spoke. He did not talk again and remained motionless to the end.

On Tuesday the 4^th of August he was in very bad shape. It was the same case on Wednesday.

On Saturday the 8^th of August he almost passed away at 4.55 pm. At 8.18 pm he was put on oxygen. Fr. Muwanga was also present. On Sunday the situation did not improve. The doctor had on Saturday, proposed to carry out a brain scan to establish the cause of this sudden break down. But he gave up!

Children between the ages of 7 and 14 came from Naggulu to visit him on Sunday afternoon. They were shocked because they had never seen someone on oxygen and feeding through the tube. The children prayed for Msgr. and asked when he would be discharged. All I could tell them was that as soon as he will be fine. They promised to come back on Wednesday, August 12, 2009 to visit and pray for Msgr.

But they did not come back to Nsambya hospital; Msgr. succumbed to Pneumonia on Tuesday at 1.45 pm. We laid him to rest, the following day, at Our Lady and St. Jude Church Naggulu next to his classmate: Msgr. John Baptist Kanyi.

Immediately after burial Paskansia, who had worked at Naggulu Parish as a cook, came to me and said that she was happy because there is some one in heaven who knows her very well and will intercede for her.

“I am going to start praying through Msgr. Kamya; He has been a holy man!”

The two weeks we spent in hospital were really challenging yet comforting; people showed a lot of love and care for Msgr. Kamya! They kept coming in big numbers and asking whether there was anything that necessitated their intervention!  The consolation during this trying moment was overwhelming and comforting.

As I visited Msgr’s grave on May 17, 2012 Esther the old lady who cleans the Church told me that the leader of the Legionaries at the parish had prayed at the grave so that they get 100,000 shillings to buy the flag for the group. This lady had been cleaning the Church even before Msgr. was posted to Naggulu.

“Immediately she returned to the front of the Church, a man came to her and gave her the money. I was also being displaced from my house and prayed to Msgr. to help me to get the house that was nearby. Miraculously I was given the very house I had prayed for!”

Esther went on to narrate how puppies come and play on Msgr’s grave and even remove the wreaths laid on it. But that the wreath which Fr. Anthony Mugambe laid on the grave stayed there until it dried up completely. We had on January 9, 2012 gathered at Naggulu, as a family, to pray for Msgr. 

At 86 Monsignor had been worn out, doing God’s will. And often times you felt it was high time you left. Frail, sickly and in pain, but we wanted you around and even wished you many more years. But like is the case for whatever has a beginning, time came and had to end your journey.

For your life-time, fear was never an incapacitating factor; Trust in the ever present God spurred you on. May your life inspire us to follow the way you showed us so that God’s love remains among us!

May the Mother of God, Mother of the Church and the Queen of Apostles introduce you to the High Priest for a job well done! Monsignor, a Legionary, put up a good fight and deserves the crown. And after seeing the fruit of the Blessed Virgin Mary, may you intercede for us so that we too may be steadfast in our faith!

Requiescat In Pacem, Monsignor Anatoli Kamya Kibirango.