Naphtali was born on 23rd February 1961 and died in Soroti Regional Hospital, Uganda on 19th July 2024.  He died unexpectedly, apparently of sepsis and multiple organ failure, after a short sickness. Being only 63, his death was untimely and a great loss not just for his family and St Peter’s Cathedral, Soroti, but also for the whole Diocese of Soroti, for Teso and the Church of Uganda generally. As one of his former lecturers at Mukono said, with his intellect and so much appropriate experience and God-given talents, he was expected, by many, to be a Bishop. 

Naphtali was much-loved and respected by so many in his roles as a son, brother, husband and father; a friend, confidant, pastor and priest; a gifted preacher, communicator and educator; an effective and reliable colleague, facilitator and administrator; an intellectual, a critical thinker and a visionary; a leader within his clan and the Church of Uganda.

I first met Naphtali 30 years ago when I was invited by Bishop Geresom Ilukor to run a workshop in 1995 to train clergy and layreaders to help Christians grow in faith through experiential learning. The colleague who came with me was sick and unable to help lead the Workshop. I quickly noticed Naphtali’s potential and his natural gifts for experiential learning and found he was a very capable co-leader. We also started a deep friendship then, with Naphtali always calling me sister. I always phoned him on his birthday each year. And he stayed with us in England and even lived with us for about a month.

 

I count Naphtali as one of my closest friends anywhere in the world in whom I could confide my highs and lows, my hopes and achievements as well as my disappointments, failings and spiritual struggles. He always listened with empathy and exercised his priestly role with wisdom and sensitivity, giving me comfort, encouragement and guidance. Likewise, I often listened to him as he shared his hopes and disappointments. He was aware of his own weaknesses, but always came to the Lord in humility and prayer with fasting. God always forgave him and restored him more readily than others did who perhaps forgot what Jesus said: “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at [him]” (John 8:7). Although a humble man who accepted whatever position he was given with grace, the Lord had blessed him with considerable gifts, natural and spiritual, which were perhaps sometimes perceived as a threat instead of being welcomed and used to the full.

So what were those gifts and what have we learnt from Naphtali? Ministering God’s word and presence through his preaching was definitely one, as indicated by the number of tributes on Facebook. He knew that shorter, practical sermons to the point have more impact than long lectures. Although extremely intelligent with a sound and deep academic knowledge of the Bible and theology, he was able to communicate in a way that deeply affected people. It was his skills in enabling people to discover God’s word for themselves which made him such an effective and respected leader of retreats and workshops. Naphtali had a gentle sense of humour and warmth which showed in his acceptance and welcome of people.

Naphtali worked incredibly hard and brought change wherever he was. This was particularly evident during the years that he was Principal of Buwalasi Theological College in spite of it being a lonely job not just for him but also for the family. He took it over when it was at the point of collapse in every way – financially, structurely, morale, staffing and teaching standards. He literally saved the College for which the eastern Dioceses of Uganda should be forever grateful as he ensured that men and women were once again well-prepared as they set out in their ministries. Besides being a gifted teacher and visionary, he was also a gifted administrator – a rare combination. Naphtali was also key in the setting up of UCU Mukono extension college in Mbale, teaching there several days a week for a while. He has had a greater impact on many of the newer clergy of Teso and other dioceses, as well as the Lay Readers in Soroti Diocese, than perhaps anyone else.

 

Naphtali was a family man, loving his children and developing his village home in Obur as well as his home in Soroti. Unlike many men, he didn’t avoid getting his hands dirty, whether digging and planting or milking his cow or looking after his chickens.

 

Like so many others, I shall miss Naphtali so much as a friend and also as a spiritual guide and companion. I am grateful for the way that he always welcomed me into his home and family whom I have grown to know and love over the years. They are a tribute to him. I have so many memories of staying with them all in Buwalasi, Soroti and Obur. I have sat in the moonlight in the middle of their compound in the village as we looked in wonder at the photos I took of the moon on my camera which showed the detail of the craters on the moon’s surface. I have caught ikong in the village and helped fry them – but Naphtali would only let me eat a few for fear that more would cause me stomach problems! I have helped weed their groundnuts. Gaudesia and Naphtali came to Kidepo with me where they were amazed by the wild animals that they were seeing for the first time. Naphtali has also stayed with me and my family on several occasions in the UK.

May God bless and comfort all who mourn Naphtali’s passing as we all give thanks for his life and ministry. And may our loving Lord bring peace and healing from any pain left after his passing. Praise to our Lord who is a God of forgiveness and redemption, reconciliation and restoration, both in life and after death.

May Naphtali’s soul rest in peace as he meets his Redeemer and is accepted into the Lord’s presence where he will rejoice forever and hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant! Come and share your master’s happiness” (Mt. 25:23).

Thanks be to God for all the blessings we have received through Naphtali during his life and ministry and friendship. I remember him with much love, appreciation and respect. The funeral services, vigils and burial were a time for sharing our grief, for celebrating Naphtali’s life and ministry and also a time of comfort for all those who mourned his death.

[I am sorry it has taken me so long to upload this Tribute – I hadn’t realised I had never actually published it. If anyone reading this would like to add their own tributes to Naphtali, please go to the Kudoboard Tribute and click on “Add to board“. You can also read more about Naphtali and his life.]