This page was created in memory of our father, friend & brother, Rev. Canon Prof. James Francis Ndyabahika. Rev Canon Prof James Ndyabahika lived a fascinating life. The Lord brought him from the hills of Kihorezo (Mparo) where he was born to an Owomuruka Chief, to the life of an Anglican Canon and university Professor. He traveled worldwide in pursuit of higher learning and in answer to his calling to minister to those around him.
Rachel Wanda Bahika Matembe I remember this day fondly. We chose to spend Christmas in Jinja at the Jinja Nile resort. It had beautiful cottages by the water. Ruth was visiting from Boston so it was an extra treat. Papa drove from Kampala to Jinja and back. H was always our steady driver. We always felt so safe and would happily fall asleep till we go to our destination. This particular picture was taken at a make shift photo studio outside of the Church after service on a warm sunny Christmas afternoon. I was feeling super proud of myself for understanding the sermon in Lusoga so well. The only thing missing from this scene was Apolo though he was also having a wonderful time of his own enjoying a white snowy Christmas with friends turned family in Boston
Apolo Ndyabahika
Rachel Wanda Bahika Matembe
Ruth Ndyabahika I keep coming across quotes that move me, coz they describe Papa perfectly. Here’s one. “A father is respected because he gives his children leadership... appreciated because he gives his family care... valued because he gives his family time... loved because he gives his family the one thing they treasure most - himself.” Love you always Papa.
Papa used to call me his best friend. I still am. Miss you so much Papa. I know you would have enjoyed Daniella and Elijah-James as much as they would have enjoyed their GrandPa James. My consolation is that they will get to meet you in heaven when this world is over. And what a great celebration that will be :-)
Ruth Ndyabahika He was a hands-on father. Right from my first memory, he there every step of the way. When i took my first steps, he was there to encourage me on. I know this coz we have the pictures in our albums showing him leading me. This picture here is another of my favorites. I remember he would get down on the floor just like this to play with us after school. When we had nightmares at night or got woken up by scary thunder, we trusted that you would come into our rooms to comfort us without fail. Many mornings he would wake us up in the gentlest way possible - not yelling as many do, but by bringing a cup of hot chocolate to our bedsides. He was just special 🥰😔
Uncle James/Papa, do the kids want to have ice-cream or ‘tv-chicken’ the go to guy was papa. Kind, gentle, thoughtful. Ever searching for understanding of Christ’s message. Teaching. Spreading goodwill. May you continue to rest in peace.
Uncle James was really a parent ever since our father died in 1987 ,he stood by our side. He used to say 'I don't want to see my sister and her children suffer'and he indeed fulfilled that. I remember whenever he was from Boston he couldn't miss to come to see us in Nyarushanje.We lacked nothing, we shall always miss you but I have hopes that we s...
Ruth Ndyabahika Papa’s Biography Prof. Canon Rev. James Ndyabahika was born in Kabale, Western Uganda. He was an ordained minister in the Anglican Church of Uganda, married to the Revered Canon Grace Nyonyozi Ndyabahika and blessed with three children. The Rev Canon attended Bishop Tucker College (Mukono) where he graduated with a Diploma in Theology. After gaining a Master of Arts (MA) and Master of Divinity (M.Div) from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School – Deerfield- Illinous (USA), he did a Master of Theology (M.Th.) at Aberdeen University (Scotland), a Doctoral degree (Ph.D.) at the University of Cape Town (South Africa), and was a Research Fellow at Yale University. Before joining academia, Professor James worked in different departments for the Anglican Church of Uganda. He was the Diocesan Treasurer of the Diocese of Kigezi (Western Uganda), Associate Coordinator of the Department of Rehabilitation and Development, and Internal Auditor at the Anglican Church of Uganda headquarters in Kampala, before serving as the Director for Aid and Development in the renowned Africa Evangelistic Enterprise (AEE) in Nairobi –Kenya (headed by the late Bishop Festo Kivengere - East Africa, and Michael Cassidy of Pietermaritzberg - South Africa). He was the General Secretary of Uganda Joint Christian Council (UJCC) for many years. Before this, he served as Principal (Dean) of Bishop Barham Divinity College, in Kabale where his ministry had started. It was under his guidance that the Divinity college began its journey to become Uganda Christian University (1987-1989). In his evening years, Prof. James Francis Ndyabahika chose to focus on academia. He was appointed as a Senior Lecturer at Uganda's Makerere University (1990-2001). His later moved to Mutare where he received tenure as a Professor of Church History in the Faculty of Theology at Africa University – Mutare, Zimbabwe (2002 to the end) where he taught African Church History, African Initiated Churches (AICs) and Christian Ethics in an African context to undergraduate students. He also taught Contemporary African Church History, Themes in Modern African Church History, Issues in cotemporary African Initiated Churches and the impact of colonial Christianity in Africa to graduate students (Master of Theological Studies and Master of Arts). Altogether, he taught at University level from 1987.