FATHER Albert Byaruhanga, President Yoweri Museveni’s special adviser on development and religious affairs, leaves a legacy that religious and political leaders can be partners in development.Byaruhanga, 58, died in a car accident on Monday. He will be remembered as one of the most fearless advocates of human rights. For over 30 years, he balanced spiritual and worldly obligations.
Friends and those he worked with mourn the loss of a faithful, principled, hardworking, veteran priest and politician. Byaruhanga’s involvement in politics began in 1981 in Fort Portal, when the bush war had just started.
Realising that Church work had been hampered by instability, he and the late Bishop Serapio Magambo started a dialogue between Milton Obote’s government and the NRA/M to create peace.
The ideas Byaruhanga put across impressed Museveni so much that he named him the shadow commissioner for education and rehabilitation in the bush government.
When Museveni took over power in 1986, he wanted to make Byaruhanga the education minister. However, the laws of the Roman Catholic Church restricted him from getting involved in active politics.
After intense negotiations with the Vatican, Museveni made Byaruhanga his adviser. Byaruhanga’s ministry was never jeopardised by politics. He continued to serve the Church with zeal.
“I cherish my priesthood, which is why before I do anything, I first ask myself whether it compromises my faith. If I am not sure that what I intend to do will promote the common good, I consult. But most importantly, I dedicate all my activities to God through prayer,” Byaruhanga said in an interview with The New Vision in 2006.
The deputy secretary general of the Uganda Episcopal Conference, Fr. Augustine Lukenge, described Byaruhanga as a man of deep faith. He was mindful of people’s needs and strived for the common good and development of the people.
The Omukama of Toro, Oyo Nyimba Rukidi IV, refers to Byaruhanga as a great priest who was endowed with unique qualities. Former German ambassador Klaus Holderbaum remembers him as a priest, who had firmly fixed his legs both in the secular and spiritual realms.
Prof. Oswald Ndoleriire of Makerere University marvelled at Byaruhanga’s virtues of patience, punctuality, moderation and discipline. Ndoleriire said these qualities that enabled him to deliver to both the state and Church authorities.
Many times, Byaruhanga said he owed his achievements to the love and trust President Museveni and his wife Janet extended to him. He also credited the Roman Catholic Church for supporting him.
Byaruhanga was born on June 13, 1951 at Mugusu, Fort Portal to Tereza and Patrick Babuuza. He was the fifth born in a family of eight children. Byaruhanga owes his priestly calling to the religious background of his family.
He joined St. Mary’s Seminary (Fort Portal) in 1966. He also attended St. Joseph’s Seminary, Hoima, after which he proceeded to Katigondo National Major Seminary in 1972.
In 1975, he went to Ggaba National Seminary for Theology. He was ordained a priest at Fort Portal’s Virika Cathedral on October 19, 1980. Between 1980 and 1984, he taught at St. Mary’s Minor Seminary (Fort Portal), while doubling as chaplain and teacher at Virika School of Nursing.
He was also chaplain of Fort Portal’s St. Maria Gorette and Kyebambe girls secondary schools. Byaruhanga served as editor of Rwenzori Echo, a diocesan magazine and was the diocesan director of social development.
By the time of his death, he was based at the Uganda Catholic Secretariat, Nsambya, where he served as the Executive Secretary of the Education Commission of the Uganda Episcopal Conference.
In 2006, the government of Austria gave Byaruhanga an award, ‘The Decoration of Honour in Gold’ in recognition for his services. He established the Austrian government’s programmes and is also credited forplaying a crucial role in the development of relations between Austria and Uganda.
Milestones
Founder of Mulago Hospital’s Uganda Plastic and Burns Institute
Participated in the meeting in Austria in 1985 where the NRM 10-point programme was drafted.
Participated in the creation of the Austria-Uganda scholarship programme and the establishment of Ndere Cultural Centre
He attracted development organisations to the country such as GTZ (German), Catholic Relief Services (CRS, USA), and SNV (Holland)
He was one of the people that brought the idea of starting the University of Mountains of the Moon.
He was a member of the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda and the Social Service Committee of the Uganda Joint Christian Council.
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