“You have gone ahead, as you come to the presence of your Creator. Pray for us who are still on the journey.”
These words, spoken by Fr. Anthony Kibira Kimbowa, Provincial Superior of the Comboni Missionaries in Uganda, captured the spirit of the farewell to Rev. Fr. John Bosco Nambasi, whose life and priestly ministry were celebrated with gratitude, sorrow and Christian hope.
Family, fellow priests, religious men and women, parishioners, friends and members of the wider Church gathered to bid farewell to a priest whose 52 years of life and 20 years of priesthood touched many communities.
His death, described during the funeral as sudden and tragic, left a deep sense of loss among those who knew and worked with him. Yet the funeral was not only a moment of mourning. It was also a celebration of a life dedicated to God, the Church and God’s people.
A Priest Who Lived Simply
One of the strongest themes that emerged from the tributes was Fr. John Bosco’s simplicity of life.
His Grace Paul Ssemwogerere, Archbishop of Kampala Archdiocese who presided over the Requiem Mass described him as a man who was satisfied with the essentials and noted that, despite having served as a priest for 20 years, he was still known to ride a motorcycle in his daily work.
Family members and fellow priests also remembered his simple lifestyle. He was described as someone who did not pursue material possessions and who was careful and disciplined in the way he lived.
For Fr. John Bosco, simplicity was not merely a personal preference. It reflected a deeper way of approaching his priesthood and his relationship with God.
He encouraged others to read and understand the Bible, reminding them of the importance of knowing their faith personally.
A Man of Principles and Order
Fr. John Bosco was also remembered as a man of strong principles.
According to Fr. Anthony, those who worked with him knew that he valued order, discipline and structure. He could be firm when necessary and was not afraid to insist on what he believed was right.
The Archbishop similarly described him as an orderly and principled man who was prepared to confront injustice.
Yet behind that firmness was a softer side.
Fr. Anthony recalled that during discussions about one of his assignments, he discovered that beneath the priest’s sometimes tough exterior was a man with a very soft heart—someone capable of deep emotion and even tears.
This combination of firmness and compassion became part of the portrait of Fr. John Bosco presented during his funeral.
Watch the full Requiem Mass here:
A Shepherd Who Served His People
At the heart of Fr. John Bosco’s life was his priestly ministry.
The Archbishop reflected that his 20 years as a priest were marked by dedicated pastoral service in different missions. His words, spiritual guidance and presence touched many people in the communities where he served.
The parish community also remembered the way he accompanied people through their joys and difficulties.
He was a priest who preached, celebrated the sacraments, offered counsel and walked with people in their ordinary lives.
His ministry extended beyond the walls of the church. He became part of the communities he served and left relationships that continued to speak of his contribution even after his death.
A Quiet Worker Who Did Much Without Seeking Attention
One of the striking observations from the funeral tributes was that Fr. John Bosco often worked quietly.
Fr. Anthony noted that there were things the priest had accomplished that even his fellow missionaries did not fully know about. Some of his contributions became known only after his death.
This was particularly evident in reflections about his contribution to language and culture and his involvement in work connected to the translation of the Bible.
He did not appear to seek recognition for such efforts. Instead, he quietly went about his work.
His life therefore offered another lesson: meaningful service does not always come with public recognition.
A Missionary Remembered Across Communities
The tributes demonstrated that Fr. John Bosco’s influence reached beyond one parish or one community.
He served in different places in Uganda and beyond, touching the lives of parishioners, fellow priests, religious communities and families.
The Provincial Superior spoke of the appreciation shown for him by the people of Lumino Parish in Busia, where he had served. Their response to his death demonstrated the affection and respect with which he was remembered.
For the Comboni Missionaries, his death also created a significant gap within the missionary family.
Fr. Anthony thanked Fr. John Bosco’s family for giving their son to the Church and to the missionary community, describing him as a gifted man who had enriched their family.
A Sudden Death, A Reminder of Life’s Fragility
The circumstances of Fr. John Bosco’s death added another dimension to the funeral.
He was not in hospital or known to be seriously ill. He was carrying out his responsibilities and had plans for the days ahead. Yet he never returned from the journey he had undertaken.
The Archbishop used this reality to remind the congregation of the uncertainty of life and the Christian call to remain prepared.
His message was not simply about death. It was about how life should be lived.
Every day, he reminded the congregation, is an opportunity to live one’s Christian vocation faithfully and to use the responsibilities entrusted to us well.
A Faith Rooted in the Resurrection
Despite the pain of losing a priest and brother, the funeral remained firmly rooted in Christian hope.
The Archbishop reminded mourners that, for Christians, death does not have the final word. The resurrection of Jesus Christ remains the foundation of Christian hope.
The words of St. Paul echoed through the celebration: “If we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him.”
That hope provided the foundation upon which family, friends and the Church gathered to say goodbye.
They mourned because they would miss him. But they also gave thanks for the gift of his life and priesthood.
“Pray for Us Who Are Still on the Journey”
As the funeral drew to a close, Fr. Anthony addressed his brother priest with words that captured both farewell and hope:
“John Bosco, my brother, we shared the time together in the formation… You have gone ahead, as you come to the presence of your Creator, pray for us who are still on the journey.”
It is perhaps the most fitting way to remember Fr. John Bosco Nambasi.
His journey on earth has ended, but the legacy of his priesthood remains—in the communities he served, the people he counselled, the Gospel he proclaimed, the missionary family he enriched and the lives he touched.
The Church now entrusts him to the mercy of God, while those who knew him continue their own journey of faith.
May the Lord receive His faithful servant.
May Rev. Fr. John Bosco Nambasi rest in eternal peace.
Amen.
