By Andrew Irumba
Kampala: Hundreds of people in the western region and other parts of Uganda, including Tooro crown Prince David Goerge Kijjanangoma Araali are mourning the untimely demise of popular pastor Allan Bukuru of Mbarara, who was one of the pioneers of Pentecostal churches in western Uganda.
The Pentecostal movement wasn’t a big deal in the 90’s in Mbarara until Pastor Allan Bukuru started Mbarara Pentecostal church (MPC). However, at the time of his death, pastor Bukuru had started up his own church known as Vine Ministries in Mbarara, after falling out with the proprietors of Mbarara Pentecostal church some time back.
In his condolence message Prince David Kijjanangoma wrote thus; “With deepest sorrow I announce the death of our in-law Pastor Allan Bukuru of Nyabushozi, Kiruhura district, the Brother-in-law of our sister Barbra Babirye Kasujja Bukuru of Toronto, Canada, the Daughter of Princess Akiiki Margaret Kasujja of Rwengoma, Tooro Kingdom.
The late pastor Allan Bukuru was also a nephew of General Henry Tumukunde. Informed is the Tooro Kingdom Royal Family, Ababiito N’ababiitokati, Nemyenda n’enyanda za Tooro Inwyena. More details and burial arrangements will be communicated accordingly. Kindly Pass on the Message to all relatives and friends of the family,” Kiijanangoma wrote to this reporter.
While commemorating pastor Bukuru, city comedian Kenneth Kimuli aka wrote thus; “Oh boy! The preacher was funky, the music upbeat, and the sermon was relatable. We trekked from Mbarara High school to town every Sunday to listen to the maverick man of God. Pastor Allan loved the Lord to bits. You could tell from the passion, and energy he used when delivering the word. Sometimes he would shed a tear while ministering. The devil wasn’t sleeping. The tabloids wrote crazy stuff about the church claiming it was a cult of sorts. Little did they know that this would attract human traffic to the church. God’s grace was sufficient that a former cinema was turned into MPC. Young people gave their lives to Christ, and the church grew in leaps and bounds. The rest is history The last time I met him he had suffered a stroke of sorts but was thoroughly sold out to Christ and shared the word with me. No weapon formed against him was going derail him from the word of God. Philippians 1:21 says, For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. Home sweet home you are my pastor and friend! Turya teranirayo! RIP Pr. Allan.”
