Renowned Catholic priest Ubald Rugirangoga succumbed to respiratory complications on the morning of Friday, January 8, in Utah State, United States where he was hospitalized since October last year.

His death has been confirmed by Celestin Hakizimana, the Bishop of Gikongoro Diocese and Apostolic Administrator of Cyangugu Diocese where Rugirangoga was serving.

Speaking to The New Times, Hakizimana said that the deceased had healed from Covid-19 but was suffering from side effects of the virus, mainly lung complications, which is the suspected cause of his death.

Rugirangoga was the Director of Centre of Secret of Peace in Nkanka Parish, Rusizi District.

"He was a committed servant of God and was always frank in everything regardless of the negative effects that would follow. He loved people so much and had unwavering integrity in his service,” Hakizimana told this paper.

Father Rugirangoga is among others renowned for leading prayers and seminars urging Genocide perpetrators to seek forgiveness and survivors to forgive their tormentors as part of the healing process from the wounds of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.