EDITORIAL

The Mbarara Archdiocese is set to approve more than 600 Catholic hymns composed by the late renowned liturgical musician John Bosco Kazoora for official use in Church worship.
This development was yesterday announced by the Archbishop of Mbarara, Lambert Bainomugisha, during a requiem Mass held at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Nyamitanga Cathedral.
The Archbishop revealed that Kazoora had composed over 600 hymns and had, in recent years, sought Church approval for their liturgical use. He was guided to first put the songs into proper musical notation to ensure they meet Catholic teaching and liturgical standards. The review has already been completed by the Vicar General, Servenius Ndugwa, and now awaits the Archbishop’s final approval.
Archbishop Bainomugisha described Kazoora as “a teacher of theology through melody,” whose music brought many closer to God.
About Kazoora
Kazoora, who passed away on May 4, 2026, due to diabetes-related complications, was widely respected for his contribution to Runyankole liturgical music. For decades, his hymns have been sung in parishes across Uganda.
Born in Ibanda District in 1962, he composed music for all parts of the Mass, including entrance, offertory, Communion, and thanksgiving hymns, as well as songs dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, vocations, and the martyrs.
Some of his well-known compositions include Reeba Irembo rya Mukama riboneire, Mwije nkundwa za Mukama, Ekitiinwa Ayi Mukama (a Runyankole Gloria), and Nkwata Omukono Taata, among many others that express deep faith, gratitude, and trust in God.
Fellow composer Musekura Anthony remembered him as a passionate promoter of liturgical music, recalling their meeting during Uganda Martyrs Day celebrations at Namugongo.
Kazoora has earlier been laid to rest on May 8, 2026, at his ancestral home in Ibanda District.