A Life Poured Out for Mission.” Fr. John Mary Mooka Unveils the Deeper Legacy of Fr. Silvester Arinaitwe and the Apostles of Jesus.

CATHOLIC CHURCH BIDS FINAL FAREWELL TO REV. FR. DR. SILVESTER ARINAITWE RWOMUKUBWE
"A Life Poured Out for Mission.” 
Fr. Kamweri Unveils the Deeper Legacy of Fr. Silvester Arinaitwe and the Apostles of Jesus.
Nakaseke, Uganda — April 2026
Rev. Fr. John Mary Mooka Kamweri, Regional Superior of the Apostles of Jesus in Uganda, delivered not just a homily, but a profound unveiling of a life that mirrored the very mission of the Church.

At the burial of Rev. Fr. Dr. Silvester Arinaitwe Rwomukubwe, Fr. Kamweri painted the portrait of a priest whose life was inseparable from the missionary identity of the Apostles of Jesus: a man sent, a man who served, and a man who gave everything.
 
To understand Fr. Silvester, Fr. Kamweri emphasized, one must first understand the Apostles of Jesus themselves.
Founded in Uganda in 1968, the Apostles of Jesus were created for one central purpose:
👉 to evangelize Africa and the world.
Their mission goes beyond preaching. It is holistic: Building parishes and strengthening struggling ones, caring for the sick and vulnerable, Running schools and seminaries, Promoting vocations and forming future priests, Serving in difficult and often forgotten communities 
They are missionaries in the fullest sense—shepherds sent where others hesitate to go. And it is within this demanding, sacrificial mission that Fr. Silvester lived his priesthood.

“HE WAS THE MISSION” — FR. KAMWERI
Fr. Kamweri’s reflection revealed a striking truth:
Fr. Silvester did not just belong to the Apostles of Jesus, he embodied their mission.
As Superior General, Fr. Silvester took the Gospel beyond comfort zones:
Sending missionaries to spiritually declining regions, Strengthening parishes struggling with faith, Expanding the missionary presence across continents
The Apostles of Jesus today serve in over 30 dioceses and multiple continents, including Africa, Europe, and the Americas,a growth built on the kind of leadership Fr. Silvester provided.

Fr. Kamweri highlighted that his leadership was not administrative, it was apostolic:
Rooted in prayer
Driven by sacrifice
Focused on people, especially the forgotten.

One of the most powerful parts of the homily was the revelation of Fr. Silvester’s engagement beyond the Church walls.
Fr. Kamweri described him as:
A defender of justice
A mobilizer for electoral accountability
A voice for ethical leadership
This aligns directly with the Apostles of Jesus mission to build a “civilization of love, justice, and peace” 

Fr. Silvester believed: 👉 Faith must not remain in the sanctuary, it must transform society. And so, he stepped into National issues—not as a politician, but as a moral compass.
Fr. Kamweri went deeper, beyond action into the soul of the man.
He described Fr. Silvester as:
A deeply prayerful priest
A man shaped by strong family values
A servant devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary
This reflects the spirituality of the Apostles of Jesus, whose charism is to imitate Christ the Good Shepherd—healing, guiding, and sacrificing for others.

His life followed a clear pattern: 
👉 Prayer → Mission → Service →Sacrifice

Fr. Kamweri highlighted Fr. Silvester’s pastoral footprint at the Spiritual Centre in Jinja, where he nurtured faith.
In missionary assignments across regions
In forming both clergy and lay leaders
The Apostles of Jesus are known for:
Running formation houses and seminaries
Teaching communities sustainable living (including farming)
Caring for the sick, including those affected by HIV/AIDS.

Fr. Silvester actively advanced these works—turning faith into visible, lived action.

 A DREAM LEFT BURNING: “THE JOURNEY TO EMMAUS”
Even in his final days, Fr. Silvester remained a missionary.
Fr. Kamweri revealed his last major vision: 👉 “The Journey to Emmaus”
A project intended to: Deepen spiritual formation, create spaces for encounter with Christ, Renew faith in a struggling world. 
With land already secured, the project stands today not as an unfinished plan—but as a living legacy waiting to be continued.
As Fr. Kamweri concluded, one message stood above all:
“He lived what he believed.”
Fr. Silvester’s life reflects the true identity of the Apostles of Jesus:
Missionaries to the ends of the earth
Servants of the poor and forgotten
Builders of faith, justice, and peace

Rev. Fr. Dr. Silvester Arinaitwe Rwomukubwe will be remembered as:
A faithful servant of God
A visionary missionary leader
A champion of justice and peace
A spiritual father to many.

“Well done, good and faithful servant.” (Matthew 25:23)
May his soul rest in eternal peace.

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