(ANS – Kabgayi) – This Friday July 24, 2026 in Kabgayi, Rwanda at the postnovitiate house of the Salesians of Don Bosco of AGL province together with the Salesian family, religious and diocesan priests, family members and friends of the late Bro. Hubert Twagirayezu sdb, gathered to pay the last homage and lay him to rest. Bro. Hubert Twagirayezu returned to his Father’s home on Friday July 17 in a traffic accident that occurred at Mpigi, a100 kilometers away from Kampala to Kigali, while travelling to Rwanda for the Priestly Ordination of Salesian Deacons held on 18July 2026. The funeral mass was presided over by Bishop Balthazar Ntivuguruzwa, the Bishop of Kabgayi Diocese, surrounded by Fr Gabriel Ngendakuriyo, the provincial, and his council, other Salesian and diocesan priests, religious brothers and sisters of different congregations, family and friends who knew Bro. Hubert.
The Funeral Mass
In his homily, the bishop expressed his heartfelt condolences to the Salesian family, the biological family members and to the church in general. He invited everyone to pray for the soul of the departed brother so that he may rest in peace. The words of consolation, the gatherings and the closeness of friends do not remove neither the sadness, the gap, the feeling of a loss nor the shedding of tears he said, but the hope of resurrection and life everlasting Jesus Christ promised to those who believed in him can console those who lose their beloved ones. He invited those who were present to believe in the word of God so that they do not remain with endless questions which cannot give any solution to what they experience during the difficult moments.
Before the concluding prayer and other burial rites, Fr Augustin Cesar Habanabakize sdb the rector of the postnovitiate which hosted the event, invited three people to address a word of testimony about the life of the late brother; these were Fr Anaclet Munyankindi who spoke on behalf of the delegation from Palabek where Bro. Hubert was accomplishing the mission, the second brother to Bro. Hubert who spoke on behalf of the family members and friends and Fr Gabriel Ngendakuriyo, the provincial of the Salesians of Don Bosco in Africa of Great Lakes ( AGL). The major point which was emphasised by all speakers was the apostolic zeal, hardworking and organised work, commitment and love of the young people which Brother Hubert always showed by looking for what could improve their lives.
Fr Provincial expressed his gratitude to everyone present, especially the bishop who put his other duties aside and responded positively to come and celebrate the Eucharist. He promised the community of Palabek to give them another Salesian who would come to keep the work which the late Brother was doing and he invited everyone to pray so that that person should be a man of God and a hardworking religious who fits for the Salesian mission. Concluding the testimonies, the bishop invited young people who attended the funeral not to fear responding “yes” to the call of God so that they may join others to work in his vineyard. “Young people, God needs you, the church needs you, the society needs you, you have lived with the one of whom we are celebrating eternal life today and you have seen how he worked, how he served God by serving you, so come and continue what he has begun,” said the bishop. After the concluding prayer and the final blessing by the bishop, the funeral rites were led by Fr Frédéric Murindangabo sdb, the vice-provincial, at the cemetery where Bro. Hubert was laid to rest with other Salesians and a FMA sister who are also resting at the same place.
A Life of Service and Planning for the Poor
Brother Hubert TWagirayezu a son of Twagirayezu Peter Clever and Alphonsine Uwimana was born on January the 16th 1982 in Masaka – Rwanda. After the death of both of his parents, he and the siblings shifted to Muhanga District – Rwanda. He was the first born of the family. He first professed as a Salesian on 15 August 2005 and made his perpetual profession on 14 July 2013 in Saint Andrew Parish, Gitarama – Rwanda. Thereafter, he served in the province in different houses as an administrator and formator and pursued further studies in the USA. He returned to the Father’s house while he was serving the Lord in Palabek, Uganda as an administrator of the house, the principal of the school (VTC) and PDO officer. Those who worked with him described Brother Hubert as a man who loved storytelling, shared information generously with his confreres, and had a deep love for work. He fully embraced Don Bosco’s spirit of hard work, often saying that rest would come later, according to testimonies shared at the event. He was also known for initiating projects aimed at uplifting the poor, and he leaves behind several projects he had envisioned.
Pie Shumbusho, SDB
