A somber mood covered St. Padre Pio Chapel at Makerere University Business School (MUBS) on Thursday as Christians gathered to pay their respects during a memorial mass for the 23 Kitabi seminarians who tragically lost their lives in a road accident in 1993.
Tears welled up in the eyes of many as a heartfelt tribute was delivered, recounting the lives of each of the 23 deceased seminarians. Leading the mass, Fr. Felix Muhaise solemnly lit candles in remembrance of the departed while the choir harmoniously sang the hymn, 'It Is Well with My Soul.'
Fr. Muhaise emphasized the importance of praying for the deceased, as the fate of souls after departing from our midst remains unknown. He highlighted the Catholic Church's belief in the power of prayers recited in memory of the departed, which can potentially grant pardon for souls yet to ascend to heaven.
The incident occurred on June 15 1993, when a lorry carrying the seminarians collided head-on with a truck at Kashaka along the Mbarara-Ishaka road.
The deceased seminarians include; Everest Agaba, Robert Aheebwa, Arinaitwe Hilary, Novato Arinda, Amos Babijuka, Gerald Betungura, Gaston Byaruhanga, and Robert Fuuni.
Also among the fallen were Juvenal Byamukama, Cosma Kakuru, J. Tadeo Karuhanga, Dionizio Kiconco, Luke Mali, Edgar Mwebaze, Louis J. Rusegera, Asensio Ngabirano, Vincent Tamale, Laurian Tukamushaba, Tmuhairwe Asiimwe, Innocent Tumuhaise, and Julius Tumwine.
Sam Bambanza, the Executive Director of Hope for Victims of Traffic Accidents (HOVITA), grieved the unfortunate reality that young people continue to lose their lives in similar road accidents. He emphasized the urgent need for collaborative efforts to ensure the safety of all road users, regardless of their social status.
Winston Katushabe, the Commissioner for Transport and Road Safety at the Ministry of Transport, echoed Bambanza's sentiments, stressing that road safety should be a priority in every aspect of society. He acknowledged the immense void left by the young lives lost on the roads, as they could have become future leaders in various fields.
Bambanza urged Kitabi Seminary to leverage the 1993 road tragedy as an opportunity to launch a road safety campaign.
