The Rt. Rev. Bishop Aberi Kakyomya Balya Abwooli, a Mulisa by clan that was born around 1877 in Rwahunga village, Mpara sub-county in Kyaka county, Tooro, became the First African Anglican Bishop in East, Central, and Southern Africa on Sunday, October 26, 1947, a remarkable day to remember in the history of Uganda and East Africa at large.
It is now 77 years down the road since Balya was consecrated a Bishop of Sudan at Namirembe Cathedral, and the legacy he built still lives and is fresh to many Africans.
Tooro’s True Son
Bishop Balya was not only a spiritual shepherd who, in 1903, started his journey of preaching the gospel in Uganda and across the borders of Congo and Sudan, but also managed to translate the Bible into the Runyoro-Rutooro version in 1910, which is still being used by many Christians today.
Notwithstanding, his contribution to this country through institutions has not only helped a specific class of people but cuts across even to the less advantaged.
Institutions Named after Bishop Balya
Aberi Balya was also a teacher who began his teaching work at Kabarole Mixed Primary School located in the heart of Fort Portal Tourism city along Balya Road on the left-hand side as one heads to Kasese. Many have passed through the school and have seen themselves grow to greater elevations.
Additionally, St. John’s Cathedral Kabarole is one of the tremendous places of worship he worked tirelessly to build. After being opened in 1939, many have turned their lives to Jesus and been groomed in the way of the Lord during its existence up to today.
There are other various places and institutions—over 12 of them that he facilitated in their founding, which have been named after him in his memory and to keep his legacy alive.
Bishop Balya Theological College Bukuku, located in Kabarole along Bwamba Road, is one of them. The name was proposed by students by then under Principle Andrew Bowman and Ordinand Douglas Kamanyire in 1973. Many clergymen and women have been seen go through the college and be consecrated to serve the Lord all over the world.
Other places that were named after him are Bishop Balya Parish in Bunyonyi, Balya House at Kyebambe Girls Secondary School next to St. John’s Cathedral, Balya House at Nyakasura School, Balya House at Uganda Technical College-Kichwamba, and Balya Road at Fort Portal town, all located at the heart of Fort Portal Tourism city and Kabarole district.
There is also Balya House at Bweranyange Senior Secondary School in Bushenyi and Balya House at Bishop Stuart University in Mbarara. Because of his enthusiasm, he received several medals from the government of Uganda and Her Majesty the Queen of Britain.
Bishop Balya’s Exceptional Character
Bishop Balya is also remembered for having a unique personality. He respected the place of worship that he used not to put on shoes whenever he was in a holy place because he regarded it as a holy ground, just as it is reflected in the Bible when Moses told God to remove his shoes because the place he was standing was a holy ground.
When talking to his close associates, they revealed that Bishop Balya used to be awake for prayers and sound the drum by 5:00am every morning, saying that “Birds should not praise the Lord in the morning before him.”
A family member also revealed that Bishop Balya loved the truth and feared God, adding that if one visited him and rejected a cup of tea, he would simply say, “No, no drink; it doesn’t make you drunk.”
The bishop in question was blessed with 12 children, but only two of them are still living. One of them is Mrs. Elizabeth Mayombo Balya Abwooli and Brig Gen. Ronnie Kihumuro Balya Ateenyi ‘ndc’, the current Ambassador of Uganda to South Sudan.
Bishop Balya spent his life fulfilling God’s purpose on earth as a spiritual shepherd until the Lord called him on November 26, 1979, at the age of 102 years.
