By Augustin Kabooha.
There were tears and a somber mood of grief hovering over Virika Cathedral the headquarters of Fort-portal Catholic Diocese in Fort-portal City after the arrival of the body of Rev. Fr. Richard Sabiiti Apuuli on Wednesday evening.
Fr. Sabiiti succumbed to cancer of the liver at Nsambya hospital on Tuesday where he had been receiving treatment.
His body arrived at Virika Fort-portal city from Kampala after a stopover at Kaihura Catechist Training school Kyenjojo district where he was teaching at the time of his death.
The body was received by bishops Robert Muhiirwa of Fort-portal diocese, Bishop Reuben Kisembo of Ruwenzori diocese, family members, Christians and government officials led by LC5 Chairperson Richard Rwabuhinga of Kabarole district.
During the requiem mass led by the vicar general Msgr. Isaiah Mayombo, he told mourners that Fr. Sabiiti has been a committed priest who fulfilled his call of obedience to the bishop and other superiors.
Rev. Fr. Tusiime Tadeo who has been staying with the late at Kyakatara priest’s residence in Kyenjojo described him as a unique religious leader who preached unity, peace and also loved his country.
Julius Ategeka a relative says the late supported many children in schools and taught people to work hard.
Rev. Fr. Richard Sabiiti’s was born on 25/9/1953 to Kiiza Christopher and Kahubire Evasta of Rubingo Burahya Kabarole District, present Fort-portal North constituency.
He was baptism 13/4/1973, Confirmed on 17/4/1973 and Ordained on 17/5/1980.
He attended St. Leo’s College Kyegobe UCE 1969-72, Alokulum National major seminary 1974-77, Ggaba national seminary 1977-80 and CUEA- Nairobi theological/ social studies in 1992-1994
He has worked in various places since 1980-81 Curate Virika parish, 1981-83 Curate Bukwali Parish, 1984-92 teachers St. Mary’s seminary, 1995 -2000 pastoral coordinator, 2001-2002 Curate South Africa, 2002 curate Kamwenge parish, 2002-2004 parish priest Hapuuyo, 2005-009 Treasurer office virika admin, 2009-2010 Curate Bukwali.
Others are 2010-2013 Parish priests Bukwali, 2013-2015 Chaplain Nkuruba convent/ cenacle program, 2015-2017 New Zealand in diocese of Auckland St. Joseph parish and 2017-2021 Teacher Kaihura catechetical training centre Kyenjojo district.
