Kampala — Hundreds of mourners on Wednesday flocked Rubaga Cathedral for the burial of Monsignor Raphael Ssekalegga Kiwutta.

Ssekalegga, the oldest monsignor in Africa and in the Catholic Church in Uganda, died on Monday at Rubaga Hospital aged 101 after admission with a malaria complication.

He served as a priest for 70 years.

The co-celebrant, Archbishop of Kampala Dr. Cyprian Kizito Lwanga, said the church was proud of Ssekalegga's service.

He said Ssekalegga liked the Catholic faith and made others like it too.

Lwanga said he was also instrumental in expanding and constructing several parishes and described him as a talented advisor and teacher to all Christians.

The retired archbishop of Kampala, Emmanuel Cardinal Wamala, asked Christians to emulate Ssekalegga by always using their God-given talents profitably.

Ssekalegga was born to the late Aleni Kaddu Nabwana and Sarah Nambooze Bayisenoomuliika. He is from the Mbogo clan.

His father was the Kabaka's chief in Buyaga county in Bunyoro, where he was given the Empaako (pet name) Akiiki.

The Auxiliary Bishop of Kampala, Christopher Kakooza, Speaker of Parliament Edward Ssekandi and the Katikkiro of Buganda, John Baptist Walusimbi, attended the burial.

Other mourners included Mathias Ssekamanya, the bishop of Lugazi, and the bishop of Hoima Diocese, Albert Edward Baharagate Akiiki.