By VOM News Team
Every now and then, an elder dies and a library burns down to the ground: vast sums of wisdom and knowledge are lost, and hardly does anyone takes notice.
The tale of Rev. Canon Samuel Mfitumukiza will forever stands out as awe inspiring, for all those who had the opportunity to meet the great man of God.
76 year old, retired Rev. Canon Mfitumukiza’s life, can be best described as instructive and intentional, his thoughts, rich and encompassing and while he never minced his words, each point was firm and delivered with a tenderness, few wise people will ever truly possess.
Rev. Canon Mfitumukiza, breathed his last on January 15th 2022 while at his son’s home in Kampala. He had gone for a routine medical checkup.
Close family members say, he was comfortable and surrounded by loved ones at the time of his passing.
The Late Canon Mfitumukiza delighted in his life and made the best of it, side by side with Miriam Mfitumukiza, his wife of 50 years in marriage.
The couple had 5 biological children; Emma Tumushime, Rev. Ezra Turinawe, Moses Mukiza Nizeyimana, Frank Mwiringirwa and Paul Hatanga.
His descendants, along with five daughters in law expanded the family adding 14 grandchildren.
The Mfitumukizas’ (Sam and Miriam) made room in their hearts and in their home for other children including Hilda Tumuramye Sebuhinja, Gloria Uwimana Tukamureeba and Medard Tugumisirize who are all married and have children of their own.
East African Revival Shapes the Man
The late Rev. Canon Samuel Mfitumukiza took great joy and pride in his names because, according to him, his birth marked the beginning of something new and exciting for his entire family.
His names and nurturing would eventually influence the man, the evangelist, educator and researcher that we came to know and love.
During an online interview back in 2021, Mfitumukiza says his birth was extraordinary.
Back in 1940s, Kupuriano and Elina Ruzasigande, Parents to the unborn Mfitumukiza and 6 others, of Kiburara Village, Gisorora Parish, Nyakabande Sub County, Kisoro District made a conscious decision to follow Christ, Jesus.
The choice to follow the “White man’s religion“ was vehemently frowned upon by close family and clansmen alike who threatened Kupuriano and Elina Ruzasigande with ostracisation, if they did not turn away from the path they were taking.
The warning shots had been fired and the stark reality of being banished from the only way of life they ever knew stared them right in their faces.
Despite everything they stood to lose, the prospects of what they had learnt during their time with Christian missionaries proved more valuable and so Kupuriano and his wife buckled down and completely gave their lives to Christ, serving as pioneer lay leaders in the Anglican Church of Uganda.
The East African Revival movement influenced Mfitumukiza’s parents and would later impact their children in more ways than one.
“My parents’ trials always reminded me, that if we choose to trust in God wholeheartedly, we shall never be ashamed, Mfitumukiza narrated to this eager journalist, who soon learnt, that though Mfitumukiza was the first of seven children, it took his parents nearly three years to conceive.
“My parents, who had since been banished from the only life they knew were now constantly being tormented and hounded by clansmen who said, the failure to conceive was as a result of choosing to follow a wrong god, try to imagine, what that meant, Mfitumukiza reflected.
Samuel Mfitumukiza was born 18th November, 1945 and was followed by other siblings including Abel (RIP), Phoebe Mukiza, Enock (RIP),
Rtd. Bishop Zac Niringiye, Christopher Ruzaza, Rev. Stephen Ruzaza and Dr.Gad.
Work and Ministry
By the time of his passing, Canon Sam was well revered and widely consulted as a senior citizen and opinion leader on issues relating to Bufumbira and the Kigezi Sub-region
He was the Chairperson of the Kisoro District Land Board for 10 Years and served as the chairperson of various organizations including of Kisoro Town Council Tender Board, Chairman and Coordinator Bishop Barham University College Kabale (BBUC).
BBUC chaplain since 2005 Canon Gideon Kwizera says he worked closely with Rev. Canon Mfitumukiza and describes him as a zealous man who emptied himself during Ministry and offered all the necessary information to his students.
The late Canon. Mfitumukiza loved Bafumbira culture and served as the Interim Chairman for Bafumbira Cultural Development Association (BACUDA) and was working on a book aimed at fortifying culture and language in the region.
Canon. Mfitumukiza’s illustrious career stretches far and wide.
Back May 1975, Mfitumukiza accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior in Biharwe, Mbarara, and was fully transformed.
He was called into full time church ministry in 1976 year after which he joined theological training in 1977 and served the church for 31 years before retiring to his home in Kiburara Village, Gisorora Parish, Nyakabande Sub County, Kisoro district in 2011.
- 15th December, 1979- Ordained a deacon in 1979 at St. Peters Cathedral Rugarama, Diocese of Kigezi
- 1980 to 1984 Pioneer Parish priest in Kinyamari Church of Uganda in Diocese of Kigezi
- 1988 to 1989 Parish priest Kabami parish, in Diocese of Muhabura
- 1990 to 1996 Diocesan Development Officer, Diocese of Muhabura
- 1997 to 1999 Dean of St. Andrews Cathedral Seseme, Muhabura Diocese
- 2000 to 2011 Lecturer Theology and Divinity, Bishop Barham University College, Kabale, Uganda Christian University.
- 2002 to 2011 Head of Department Theology and Divinity at Bishop Barham University College. Uganda Christian University.
- 2003 to 2007 he was licensed by the Archbishop of Canterbury on Secondement by Church of Uganda to work in the Church of England while pursuing further studies in United Kingdom.
- He Worked in 2 parishes in the church of England in Diocese Dorchester, Diocese of York and Diocese of Durham and Reading in the Diocese of Oxford, UK
- Canon Sam preached extensively in the Greater Kigezi region, Ankole, Provinces of Church of Rwanda and Burundi, and several churches in the Church of England.
Bishop of Muhabura diocese Rt. Rev Cranmer Mugisha described him as a mentor who was instrumental in guiding him when he made the decision to serve God.
Education/training:
Rev Canon Mfitumukiza trained locally and internationally. He had a Master of Philosophy Degree in Theology at the Oxford Centre for Mission Studies (OCMS) (2010)
- Master of Theology and Development from New College, University of Edinburgh, Scotland (1993-1994). Theology and Divinity from Bishop Tucker Theological College (1985-1987).
- He also attained a provincial certificate of theology at Bishop Barham College (1977-1979.
- He went to Nyakasura School and Seseme Primary School for his Secondary and Junior education respectively and acquired Cambridge certificate of Education.
- He attained his diploma in Theology and Divinity from Bishop Tucker Theological College (1985-1987).
- He also attained a provincial certificate of theology at Bishop Barham College (1977-1979.
Canon Sam started his career in 1967 first as a public servant in the Ministry of Lands, Water and Mineral Resources, Department of Geology in the government of Uganda as senior technical assistant.
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