Rtd Bishop Erasmus Desiderius Wandera dies

The retired bishop of Soroti Catholic Diocese, Rt Rev Erasmus Desiderius Wandera has died.

Wandera died today Thursday at his residence in Mbale, according to information from Uganda Episcopal Conference. The archbishop of Tororo archdiocese, Rt Rev Emmanuel Obbo says they are yet to establish the cause of Wandera’s death.

“I inquired about my brother’s health on Wednesday and I was told that he was fine. It was surprising to hear about his demise this morning. It could be due to natural causes given his age but we will wait for the medical report,” he said on the phone.

Bishop Wandera served as the first bishop of Soroti Catholic Diocese for 27 years. He was appointed bishop of Soroti on November 29, 1980, and consecrated bishop on March 29 1981, by cardinal Emmanuel Kiwanuka Nsubuga, then archbishop of Kampala.

Wandera retired in 2007 and was replaced by the now archbishop of Tororo, Rt Rev Emmanuel Obbo up to 2014 when he was promoted and taken to Tororo. This left Soroti Catholic Diocese in a vacuum for five years before the appointment of the current bishop, Rt Rev Joseph Oliach Eciru.

Wandera was born in the present-day Busia district on April 16, 1930, and was on December 27, 1956, ordained a priest.