The Church of Uganda Diocese of South Rwenzori was carved out from Rwenzori Diocese in 1984. Three priests were identified as candidates to lead the new diocese. They were the Rev Stephen Mukirania, the Rev Yona Kuule and the Rev Zebedee Kahangwa Masereka.
Rev Masereka became the first bishop, Rev Mukirania became the diocesan secretary, and Rev Kuule became the dean of the cathedral.
Rev Can Mukirania had been part of what was viewed as the revival of evangelism in the immediate post-Idi Amin era. He visited and preached at schools. He helped set up Scripture Union clubs in schools.
The early 1980s were a transition period in which there was a deliberate attempt to indigenise the Anglican liturgy. At the time, the Rev Can Mukirania was one of the very few Bakonzo church leaders in Rwenzori Diocese in Kabarole. Indeed, when Kasese Archdeaconry was carved from Rubona Archdeaconry, Rev Can Mukirania was chosen as the first archdeacon of Kasese Archdeaconry (now the entire South Rwenzori Diocese).
And needless to say, Mukirania was the first Mukonzo to be made a canon of the Church of Uganda. He was made canon in 1975 by Rwenzori Diocese at St John’s Cathedral in Fort Portal. Because Mukirania was a canon of the Rwenzori Diocese (in Fort Portal), Bishop Reuben Kisembo attended his burial in Kisinga.
In the indigenisation of the Anglican liturgy, new songs were created by Mukirania and a group of other church leaders. The songs had typical Lhukonzo melodies and were always accompanied by traditional African drums and locally made shakers.
Yet I should not write about Rev Can Mukirania with dispassion. We are family. It was not uncommon to find me at the residence of the Diocesan Secretary of South Rwenzori. Because his son Philip Musana (bless him) was my very close friend. Plus, Musaana’s mother once told me that Mama Zubeda (one of our mothers) was her sister (they shared a grandfather).
Mukirania was born in 1933, the son of Bahwere Isebayibwara and Kihirabandi Mbambu. He was baptised in the Anglican Church on March 26, 1944, by the Rev JC Pallen.
He was confirmed by Bishop Aberi Balya in 1948 and married Veronica Kabatwale (of blessed memory) on December 20, 1956.
After attending Busyangwa (pre-primary), Buzira Sub Grade, Mukirania went to Bwera Primary School (now Kitalikibi Primary School). Thereafter, he went to Kabarole Junior Secondary School.
Between 1952 and 1954, he was at Nyakasura Teachers College (now Canon Apolo Primary Teachers College). Thereafter, he taught at Kitholhu and Bwera primary schools.
In 1960, he was called to serve the church and proceeded for training at Bishop Tucker Theological College in Mukono (now Uganda Christian University). In 1963, he became the principal tutor at Bukuku College (now Bishop Balya College).
He became Vicar of Bukuku Parish (Kabarole) and later Vicar of Kyarumba Parish (Kasese).
In 1969, he was appointed Rural Dean of Busongora Deanery. Between 1973 and 1982, he served as the first archdeacon of Kasese Archdeaconry (now South Rwenzori Diocese). Between 1984 and 1990, he served as the diocesan secretary of South Rwenzori Diocese.
He retired from active service on December 31, 1996. For lack of space, I can’t write all the achievements of the Rev Can Stephen Mukirania.
He died at 4pm on July 15, 2026, at Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital and was buried at his home in Kisinga on July 18.
Fare-thee-well, Kasese’s Anglican Church grandee.