Members of A-Plus Funeral Services carry the casket containing the remains of Pastor Kaweesa at Uganda Christian Outreach Ministry headquarters in Seguku. PHOTO BY BEATRICE NAKIBUUKA
The cruel hand of death claimed Pr Steven Kaweesa, the founder of Uganda Christian Outreach Ministry after a Toyota Prado TX, in which he was travelling failed to brake on a steep slope near the Yesu Akwagala Church in Seguku along Entebbe road on Sunday.
Pastor Kaweesa, who was in the company of two American missionaries – Eddy Toleihi and Scott Bold – is survived by widow Sarah Kaweesa and nine children; Rachael Damulira, Phillip Kaweesa, Margret Kaweesa, Isaac Kaweesa, Lilian Kaweesa, Andrew Kaweesa, Richard Paul Kaweesa, Daniel Kaweesa and Rebecca Vilmsons.
Toleihi was the chairperson of World Outreach Missionary, while Bold was a member of Uganda Outreach Missionary.
During a vigil at the Uganda Christian Outreach Ministry headquarters in Seguku on Tuesday, hundreds of members of the pastor’s congregation expressed grief at the loss of one of the leading Pentecostal church leaders. Others sang songs of praise, for the they believed Pastor Kaweesa had been called for a better service.
Born September 21, 1957, the father of gospel artistes Phila and Richy Kaweesa was called at the age of 16 to serve the Lord in the Pentecostal Church of Yesu Akwagala, which has over 200 churches in Uganda.
According to Phillip, a.k.a Phila, his father was a soldier of Christ who loved all kinds of people equally.
“He laid a good foundation for us. I remember the times when I used to bring friends with dreadlocks but he would welcome them, says Phila. He was the promoter and marketeer of my music,” Phila said yesterday.
Betty Nakibuuka Ssenyonjo, who has been a close friend of the deceased says, “He loved the songs I sing. He attended my show that I recently had at Sheraton Kampala Hotel. We have been friends since I became a born again 25 years ago. He is my father and I cannot forget the legacy he left as he emphasised faith and trustworthiness.”
Pr Kaweesa was one of the founders of what was initially known as born again churches in 1991, according to Pr Robert Kasozi, the lead pastor at Yesu Akwagala Worship Centre Kawempe.
“He started the Yesu Akwagala church in Kawempe where he ministered for 10 years. We have lost a great servant because he has been able to support the building of the 200 Yesu Akwagala churches across the country,” Pr. Kasozi, who added that the late has been a fighter, said.
Patient, all loving
“We have learnt from him that ministry is not about an individual but about God and others, that we need team work and that God calls us to serve until the very end.”
Most of the family members and friends described him as a simple, humble, lover, calm and faithful man who taught them Christ and knew most of the church members by name.
“Although he was a busy man, he had time for everyone. He never had personalised number plates like some other prominent pastors do. He has spread the gospel. To him, God was everything and he treasured his marriage,” a member of the congregation said.
Godfrey Nawango, Pr Kaweesa’s younger brother, said he was an example and a person he looked up to.
“He brought the gospel of Jesus Christ to our family and the village in Luweero. I have learnt how to be patient from him. He would come to my home even late in the night to check on me and my family”.
According to Nawango, Pr. Kaweesa had always told his family about his death; that he never wanted to live long or have a painful death.
Pr. Kaweesa’s son Richard said he was like a brother to all his children.
“He told us he did not want to grow very old to an extent where we had to do everything for him. He had shown us where he wanted to be buried.”
Richard adds, “He never wanted me to wallow in sorrow and self-pity. He taught us to be strong and carry on with whatever situation or challenge we faced. His death has instead revived me and added enthusiasm to continue with the work he was doing.”
As for Daisy Namayanja, Pr Kaweesa was an uncle but was like a father to her.
“I do not know how I am going to live without him. He was a family man who cared equally for everyone in the family. There are many pastors in our family but he is the one I always ran to. One day he called me and told me to change my ways because of the friends I was keeping. It was his word that shaped my life. I am supposed to me a missionary the way he was,” Namayanja says.
For the 43 years he served God, he moved a truthful journey and has been able to minister in places like Asia, Nepal, India, USA, Zambia, Congo, Rwanda, Tanzania, South Sudan and Burundi.
His body was laid to rest on Wednesday at Buvi village in Mpigi District.
bnakibuuka@ug.nationmedia.com
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