The Catholic Church in the Province of Mbarara is mourning the death of renowned liturgical music composer John Bosco Kazoora, whose hymns have profoundly shaped Catholic worship in western Uganda.
Kazoora is widely regarded as one of the leading contributors of original Runyankole hymns used in the Catholic liturgy. For decades, his compositions have been embraced by choirs and congregations, becoming a central part of worship across many parishes.
Born on July 2, 1962, in Kabagoma village, in present-day Ibanda District, Kazoora composed hundreds of hymns spanning the full range of liturgical celebrations. His works include entrance hymns, penitential songs, Gloria, meditation pieces, offertory hymns, Holy Communion songs, thanksgiving, recessional hymns, as well as compositions on vocation, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the martyrs.
Among his most celebrated compositions is Reeba Irembo rya Mukama riboneire, which invites the faithful to reflect on their worthiness to enter the gates of heaven. Other notable works include Mwije nkundwa za Mukama, Ekitiinwa Ayi Mukama (a Runyankole version of the Gloria), and Nkwata Omukono Taata, a hymn expressing surrender to Jesus Christ in times of hardship.
His repertoire also features inspirational songs such as Ai Mukama Wangye Ompindure Ekikwato, inspired by the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi, Ebirungi by’onkoreire Taata, and Mukama ninkusiima, all reflecting deep gratitude and faith. Other compositions like Mukama Ndinda and Tihariho ondiijo emphasize trust in divine protection and devotion to the one savior.
Kazoora also made a lasting contribution through Marian hymns, including Baryaguma Banyete omunyamugisha, Yateemba Maria omugabekazi, Maria ori omuhiirwa, and Eshi Nahiirwa, which celebrate the life and virtues of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
In addition, he composed songs on vocation such as Ntume oha, Otatiina, Noza kuhereza Mukama, Hati wakwatsibwa ogu mwoga, and You are a servant of the Lord. His passion for culture was evident in works like Ninyenda Kwombeka Eka, which promotes family and community values.
Church leaders and faithful have described Kazoora as a pillar of indigenous sacred music whose work strengthened the use of local language in Catholic worship.
Musekura Anthony, a renowned liturgical music composer from Kabale Diocese, recalled meeting Kazoora at the Uganda Martyrs Day celebrations in Namugongo.
“We later met under the Mbarara Ecclesiastical Province Association in 2018, where he was training one of his compositions,” Musekura said.
“I knew him as someone deeply passionate about what he did not just music, but specifically liturgical music,” he added.
Musekura noted that Kazoora composed and taught many of his works from memory, often carrying entire musical arrangements in his head, although in recent years he had begun reading from written staff.
Darius Masindano, a composer from Mbarara Archdiocese, also shared his memories, describing Kazoora as a talented and dedicated choir master who inspired him to pursue music composition in the early 1990s.
According to family members, Kazoora succumbed to complications related to diabetes on Monday, May 4, 2026.
A requiem Mass will be held at Nyamitanga Cathedral on Thursday, May 7, 2026, presided over by Archbishop Lambert Bainomugisha. He will be laid to rest on Friday, May 9, 2026, at his ancestral home in Kabahoma, Nyabuhikye, in Ibanda District.
