On Tuesday 31 December 2024, Bishop Silvester Kisitu presided over the burial of George Malingu Mwato in Buhemba, Namayingo district. The reposed was one of the first baptized Orthodox Christians of Holy Resurrection parish of Namayingo. His Grace eulogized George while referencing Apostle Paul’s words to Timothy: ‘I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.’ (II Timothy 4:7)
”Serving God and walking in His ways is the race Paul talks about; that is what we have to keep at heart”, Bishop Silvester said. ”We are happy and hopeful because George has been an Orthodox Christian. He confessed our Lord Jesus Christ. And has been one of the elders at Holy Resurrection parish. This should serve as a good example to all,” he stressed.
Bishop Silvester of Jinja co-served with Metropolitan Innocentios of Sozusa, with Fr. Moses Gubi also participating as well as Hierodeacon Moses. Metropoltan Innocentios noted that the late was one of his first students when he began catechizing in the area in early 2000s. He was a priest by then and was in charge of Baptism of the first batch of converts.
The funeral was attended by key political figures in the area. Namayingo district women’s representative in parliament Hon. Magret Makhoha Namakangala, the Minister for General Duties, Hon. Justine Kasule Lumumba, and various local councilors attended.
Addressing the public as the chief mourner, Hon. Kasule Lumumba called for collaborative solutions to teenage pregnancy in the area. She slammed her fellow politicians for their selfish interests. ”You should not let the vice eat up our society when you only ask for votes every time you traverse through the villages,” she said.
George Malingu Mwato previously served as a chairman LC I as well as councilor LC III for Buyinja sub-county. The funeral was held in the playground of Buhemba primary school and burial at his home which is just across the road. May the Lord God establish George’s soul where the just repose; and his memory be eternal.