Catholic priest Father Romanus Etwap dies in grisly road accident while returning from Busia
By Steve Ireri, September 3, 2026Ugandan Catholic priest Rev. Fr Romanus Etwap has died after his vehicle was involved in a grisly road accident while he was returning to Soroti from Busia.
The news of his death was confirmed by the Catholic Diocese of Soroti on Thursday, September 3, 2026, in a Facebook post mourning the loss of what it described as a dedicated and devoted shepherd of the Church.
The Diocese said Fr Romanus died on Wednesday night, September 2, 2026, after the vehicle he was travelling in collided with a Fuso truck near Hass Petrol Station in the Ajip area along the Soroti–Mbale highway in the Soroti East Division.
“With deep sorrow and humble submission to the will of God, the Catholic Diocese of Soroti has lost its own shepherd, #Rev. Fr. Romanus Etwap, which occurred last night,” the diocese wrote.
At the time of the crash, the priest was travelling back to Soroti following a late-night journey from Busia, where he had been before beginning his return trip.
The impact left the priest critically injured, with passersby and emergency responders rushing to his aid before he was taken to Soroti Regional Referral Hospital.
However, the severity of the injuries sustained in the crash proved fatal, with Fr Romanus being pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital.
The death has dealt a heavy blow to the Catholic community in Soroti and the wider Teso Sub-region, coming at a time when the diocese was still mourning the loss of another priest.
Fr Romanus was serving as the parish priest and provost of Immaculate Conception Cathedral Parish in the Soroti Catholic Diocese, where he was known for his pastoral work and close interaction with the Catholic faithful.
In its message announcing his death, the Diocese described Fr Romanus as a brilliant and deeply committed priest whose service to the Church had touched many lives.
The Diocese said his eloquent preaching, unwavering faith and selfless dedication to the people he served would remain etched in the hearts of those who knew him.
“Death has indeed robbed us of a true servant of God,” the Diocese said, describing his passing as a profound loss not only to the Catholic Diocese of Soroti but also to the wider Catholic Church and all those who knew him.
The Diocese further remembered Fr Romanus as a priest who lived out his vocation with prayerfulness, hard work and a deep commitment to the people entrusted to his care.
“Fr. Romanus was a very dedicated, brilliant, and devoted priest of Soroti Catholic Diocese. A shepherd of unwavering faith, he served the Church with profound commitment, humility, and love for his people. His brilliance in his pastoral work, his eloquent preaching, and his selfless service to the flock will remain etched in our hearts,” it added.
His death came as he was taking part in the National Charismatic Renewal Conference, adding to the sense of shock surrounding his sudden passing.