MARA: AFTER several decades of life, the retired Chief of Defence Force (CDF), General David Musuguri, was baptised into the Roman Catholic Church—at the time, he had five wives.
However, his baptism came with a condition: he was required to choose one wife for marriage, while the other four were regarded as assistants to the chosen spouse.
Speaking at the burial ceremony on Monday, Bishop Michael Msongazila of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Musoma shared how he baptised the late Gen Musuguri, despite the presence of his multiple wives. He explained that the baptism followed the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.
“I knew Mr Musuguri when I was a bishop,” Bishop Msongazila said. “He had once discussed with a Patriarch Priest and expressed his desire to convert to Catholicism.”
The bishop continued, “I asked the Patriarch Priest, ‘Did he tell you where he was previously baptised?’ The priest replied, ‘He said he was baptised in Kenya.’”
Bishop Msongazila then instructed the priest to have Musuguri come to see him. The following day, Musuguri visited the bishop and explained his wish to be re-baptised.
“When he came, he said, ‘Bishop, I want to be re-baptised,’ and I asked him why and where he had been baptised before,” the bishop recalled.
“He mentioned Kenya, Seychelles and Ethiopia—his memory seemed a bit unclear, likely due to aging.”
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Bishop Msongazila described Musuguri as an honest man. He openly informed the bishop about his five wives, to which the bishop instructed him to choose only one for marriage.
“As a faith leader, I considered his sincere intentions,” said Bishop Msongazila. “I thought to myself, ‘He fought in land warfare, now he wants to fight the spiritual warfare.’”
The bishop emphasised that Gen Musuguri’s commitment to choosing one wife out of five was a reflection of his deep faith in God.
Bishop Msongazila also urged mourners to remember the late general’s exemplary life, particularly his leadership during the Kagera War in 1978-79, when he led Tanzania’s military to victory against the invading forces of Idi Amin.
In his eulogy, Chief Wanzagi, a leader from the Zanaki community, praised Gen Musuguri as a man of the people.
He recalled how the general’s family always welcomed guests from their community and beyond.
Chief Wanzagi also appreciated Musuguri’s role as a mediator, using his wisdom and experience to resolve tribal land disputes and family conflicts.
“His life of 104 years was a gift to us,” Chief Wanzagi said.
Gen Musuguri passed away on October 29, 2024, at the age of 104. He was buried in his home village of Butiama in the Mara Region on Monday. He is survived by five wives, 30 children and 100 grandchildren.
