KAMPALA, Uganda — The Church of Uganda and the education community in western Uganda are mourning the death of Rev. Bernard Mushabe, a senior clergyman and educationist who dedicated his life to faith formation and academic growth. Rev. Mushabe, the education secretary of West Ankole Diocese, died on Jan. 20, 2026, at Mulago National Referral Hospital after complications following surgery in December 2024.
Rev. Mushabe was widely known as a committed preacher, Bible teacher and mentor to young people. A resident of Nyakibeere-Kasaana, Kitagata, in Sheema District, he served the Anglican Church in various roles, including as chaplain at Ntare School. While at Ntare, colleagues recall that his office was always open to students and staff, offering prayer, counseling and encouragement. Though he served as an Anglican chaplain under the Scripture Union, he worked closely with chaplains of other denominations, building a shared chaplaincy that emphasized unity, faith and service to students.
After his transfer to West Ankole Diocese, Rev. Mushabe played a central role in shepherding church-founded schools across five districts: Buhweju, Rubirizi, Mitooma, Sheema and Bushenyi. As Education Secretary, he worked with headteachers, education officers, and church leaders to improve academic standards while strengthening Christian values in schools. His colleagues say he believed education and faith must go hand in hand, often urging school leaders to “raise learners who fear God and think critically.”
Tributes have continued to pour in from church leaders, teachers and former students. Bright Atuha, a spokesperson of West Ankole Diocese, described his death as “a big loss to the Church and the education fraternity,” saying Rev. Mushabe served faithfully and with deep commitment. Another colleague, Aggrey Mugume, remembered him as a resourceful leader whose views and presence always shaped discussions on education and ministry.
Rev. Mushabe was also active in youth ministry and regularly spoke at diocesan conventions. He was among the key facilitators at the 2024 West Ankole Diocese Youths and Students’ Convention, which attracted more than 4,500 participants and focused on biblical truth and moral guidance.
Rev. Mushabe will be buried on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, starting at 11 a.m in Nyakibeere-Kasaana, Kitagata, in Sheema District. As the diocese prepares to lay him to rest, many say his legacy will live on through the schools he guided, the students he mentored and the faith communities he served.
