The Mbarara Archdiocese is set to approve more than 600 songs composed by renowned Catholic hymn singer John Bosco Kazoora for liturgical use in the Catholic Church.
This was revealed by the Archbishop of Mbarara Archdiocese, His Grace Lambert Bainomugisha, while presiding over a requiem Mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Nyamitanga Cathedral in Mbarara City on Thursday.
Archbishop Bainomugisha said Kazoora composed over 600 Catholic songs during his lifetime. He revealed that in the last two years, the late composer had visited him several times seeking official Church approval for the hymns to be used in liturgy.
However, the Archbishop advised him to first put the compositions into proper musical notation so the Church could assess whether they aligned with Catholic teachings and liturgical standards.
He explained that the Vicar General of Mbarara Archdiocese, Rev. Fr. Dr. Servenius Ndugwa, had already reviewed the songs and that they are now only awaiting the Archbishop’s final signature for approval.
Archbishop Bainomugisha described Kazoora as “a teacher of theology through melody,” saying his music helped bridge people closer to God. He also hailed him as a missionary and a devoted servant of the Church who served God wholeheartedly.
CUE IN ARCHBISHOP BAINOMUGISHA…..ON KAZOORA…..RR//
Musekura Anthony, a renowned liturgical music composer from Kabale Diocese, recalled first meeting Kazoora during the Uganda Martyrs Day celebrations at Namugongo Martyrs Shrine.
“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 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, though in recent years he had started reading from written staff notation.
Darius Masindano, a composer from Mbarara Archdiocese, also paid tribute to Kazoora, describing him as a talented and dedicated choir master who inspired him to pursue music composition in the early 1990s.
Kazoora is widely regarded as one of the leading contributors of original Runyankole hymns used in Catholic liturgy. He succumbed to diabetes-related complications on Monday, May 4, 2026.
For decades, his compositions have been embraced by choirs and congregations, becoming a central part of worship in many parishes across Uganda.
Born on July 2, 1962, in Kabagoma Village in present-day Ibanda District, Kazoora composed hundreds of hymns covering the full range of liturgical celebrations, including entrance hymns, penitential songs, Gloria hymns, offertory songs, Communion hymns, thanksgiving songs, recessional hymns, as well as compositions on vocation, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the martyrs.
Among his most celebrated works is Reeba Irembo rya Mukama riboneire, which calls on believers to reflect on their worthiness to enter the gates of heaven. Other notable compositions 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 during difficult times.
His repertoire also featured 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 faith and gratitude.
Other compositions, including Mukama Ndinda and Tihariho Ondiijo, emphasized trust in divine protection and devotion to God.
Kazoora also made a lasting contribution through Marian hymns such as Baryaguma Banyete omunyamugisha, Yateemba Maria omugabekazi, Maria ori omuhiirwa, and Eshi Nahiirwa, which celebrate the virtues and life of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
In addition, he composed vocation songs including Ntume oha, Otatiina, Noza kuhereza Mukama, Hati wakwatsibwa ogu mwoga, and You are a Servant of the Lord. His passion for culture was also reflected in works like Ninyenda Kwombeka Eka, which promotes family and community values.
He will be laid to rest on Friday, May 8, 2026, at his ancestral home in Kabahoma, Nyabuhikye, in Ibanda District.
